i want a cat but not sure what one to get

i think i would search for a 7cz c-16. harder to find but the extra cubes would be nice. they have certain issues like any other engine but they make real good power and from what I've heard they get pretty good fuel mileage, better than the c-15's in the same fleet. obviously there are many factors that come into account like driving style, load, driving conditions,tune, etc,etc,etc. but you usually don't hear of c-16 drivers complain about power
Good luck and thank you for your service

 

I have the twin turbo acert I really like it!!! Its been PDI tuned (through Mr Haney) I love the way it runs. Great power and very respectable mpgs.

 

My kids is a 7CZ.... but the fuel economy isn't great.

 

One more thing.. Haney did a detailed post somewhere in here a few weeks back about tuning C-15's and fuel mileage results. With fuel prices such a concern the most important gist of that post in my opinion was that from his experience over the years, and for whatever reason, on average the factory 475hp engines always seemed to get the best fuel mileage results when they were tuned up...

 

Since 1998 model trucks, any CAT 475 can be uprated to a 550 without any hard part changes by a CAT dealer. The earlier 5EK and 6TS 1994-1997 engines have many different variations that can be difficult to uprate without parts changes.

If you step outside the box and allow someone else besides CAT do the uprate.............then things can get interesting as far as the final results are concerned.

The 6NZ 2000 and later, the MBN Sept 31, 2002 and later C-15's, from 435 hp can be uprated to 550 without any hard part changes. Outside the box............600 hp files can be done

The Acert's BXS all share the same parts from 550 hp down, so they can be uprated with software only.

The Acert's MXS and NXS are the same from 435 -550 as far as parts are concerned. The 600 and 625 hp engines don't share the same parts and CAT will not uprate a low hp engine above 550 hp.

Again there are options to uprate much higher than this with these engines outside the box

 

In my opinion the 3406 was about the best made as far as cats go you can do alot with them

 

hi guys,im kind of having same issue, im buying an 06 379 exhd, with 325,000 on an overhaul, serial # mxs33421, a c-15 acert motor, my shop guy tells me its a 435, which i thought they all started at475, so should i still buy the truck? i want around 600 out of it does that mean big $$$$$ cam, turbos, injectors, exhaust man??????? thank you for any input im stressing the #### out of myself over this. how much $$ are we talkin here???? -Sean- And thanks for your service buddy!!!!!! you guys are underrated!!!!!lol

 

I have a 6NZ in my Daycab and thought it couldn't possibly get any better. So last year, when I wanted to upgrade my sleeper truck, I was bound and determined to find a truck with a 6NZ. I have been bashing Acerts since they came out. However, being the picky guy I am, I couldn't find a Pre October 2002 truck that was as clean as I wanted. So I fell in love with this 07 W900 Aerocab Flattop that was speced exactly like I wanted (as far as KWs go). It has a NXS Acert in it. After reading this forum I decided to do a custom tune on the Acert and had to put my foot in my mouth as right now I prefer an Acert. Bottom line, find a truck you like, stay away from MBN ("Bridge") motors and make that Cat what you want.

 

3406e was my favorite motor you can do a lot of upgrades to it