Caterpillar C15 to Detroit Series 60 Swap

As far as engine cost that's all over the board. Even when a complete engine is found and purchased you run into several items that just were missed and you still need. As far as in cab wiring your good if you could find a pete engine wiring harness for the Detroit it will make it way easier that trying to make it work. Another option may be from a company such as Mawk industry's who specialize in conversion harnesses. Usually putting a electronic engine in an older truck. Honestly I don't think it would be worth the cost to do the swap. If the cat was junk it might be easier to swallow. You will be money ahead to sell it and buy the truck you want.

 

If you have a lock on pre egr Detroit ddec 3 or 4 engines snatch them up if they are under 7500 dollars. The pre egr 14 liter engines will fetch 12 grand to about $14,000. Fitzgerald's is buying cores for that price. And 12.7 DDEC 3 and 4 rebuildable engines are getting scarce. The ddec2 was a good engine but didn't have top liner cooling and you have to be creative to get big HP due to narrow bearing motor. As for the swap its electronic so you need the harness and all controllers and guages. If it has a vecu will need that as well. There are a couple companies building the harness for the gliders for stand alone operation. Cost is variable depends on your skill level, how much you do or know how to do, what you have to farm out, etc. If the engine you get needs rebuild or is fairly fresh. I would guess 13-25k. Best to worst case. Big swing but too many variables to come up with a tighter number

 

Just my opinion, but part of your problem could be lack of horsepower. I have a 6nz that was set at 500hp, had a 625 tune put in it and I gained some serious fuel economy. The motor used to work and strain all the time now it just loafs along. Idles better runs smoother. It is my understanding 6nz's are known for fuel economy and durability.

 

buddy of mine has a 12.7 detroit in his 379 gets about the same mpg as you . a brick only does so well in the wind

 

Make sure you don't have any leaks in the,cac and exhaust manifold. A small leak in either one can be a couple tenths of mpg.