1999 Detroit 60 series 500hp @2100 rpms

I’ve been running same engine for 20 yrs now,2 different ones. Currently have 4 k on a fresh OH, also. I try to keep it under 1800, but have gone over, even oversped up to 22-2300, without damage, thank God. Torque band is 1350-1650, Mine seem to run out better at the higher end, 1500-1700. Usually putz Along at 1400-1550. Down steep grades, when heavy, jakes could be better, just have to slow down, and hold it, otherwise it will get pushed into an over speed. Not much else to say, it’s like a slant six, just keeps going, makes different sounding idles sometimes, always listening for changes in sounds. Seems to have a lot of different idles, but usually get tired of listening or worrying, just turn up the radio,let it run. Very dependable, day in day out. Not temperamental or expensive to fix, Over 1 million last time around, had 3 injectors go bad, starting at around 800k, then another at 1.1 mil, and lastly -.3 mil, that’s all, till the head cracked. OH, and put non waste gate BW 702 turbo, runs much better, so far. You can have jakes checked/ set again, when you do overhead. But if all 3 are working, good now, probably fine.

 

I just ran one a few weeks ago, 2010 Pete 386 glider kit with the S60, 18 spd. I'm not sure what year the engine was manufactured, but it also said 500 hp @ 2100 rpms. I ran it nowhere near that, I don't think I ran it over 1,600 honestly. It's pretty common for diesels to make their power between 1,100 and 1,700, more than that CAN cause damage overtime and less than that will result in increased exhaust temps

 

You'll damage a series 60 sooner running it at 1100-1300 than you will at 1700-1900rpm. Especially on a hard pull. They like to spin. I crank mine along between 1600-1800 all day depending on speed limit. IFTA quarterlys still in the upper 8's. Mines only a 1800rpm /1925NL engine. I'll ride the jakes to that 1925 before I use the service brakes if my load pushes me to it, which doesn't happen often..

They are a awesome engine. I like it enough that even when it ate the camshaft I wasn't really mad at it. Undocumented, TMU, about 33k hours on it. Think it may have been scored from the PO running the oil too long. What'd I expect.?

 

You don’t show serial #, Bk, Pk are Premium engines. Ek, Mk, are not. Hopefully you got a Pk or Bk

 

What exactly makes it premium?

 

If the folks that designed it say it can run at 2100, you won't hurt it running it at 2100.

 

Piston Cooling nozzles,( oil squirters) PK, BK, came with them from factory. All blocks since May 98 are drilled for them, non Premium engines, without nozzles, are capped off, nozzles can easily be added. Before that you either had them or didn’t.

 

If you want max jake hp you need to run it up to max rpm. 1900 on the Jake is what I go to if needed.

As far as pulling. The series 60 is not scared of rpm or will you hurt it. More damage is done lugging then running at 1900 rpm.

My 14L had a 2500 rpm program in the ECM. Not that I pulled up that high but it would if you let it. Didn't hurt it at all.

 

Good to know. I should probably add them to my 99 engine when the rebuild time comes