Looking at 386 Pete's

Why below 2010? 2007-2010 engines are generally the biggest boat anchors ever built.

 

At that point the truck will have around 650,000+ miles on it, unless you don't care about the mileage.

 

Upgrade from what?

 

Yes,. the early CAT ACERT models with DPF.

Very reliable and strong motor when the emissions is not in the way of its performance. (Hint, Hint)

That leaves Cummins or Paccar power.

I personally love my CAT. But if given the option between Paccar or Cummin,.. its Cummins hands down. I drove a 2010 386 with a 435hp 13 spd Paccar and it felt severally under powered and only gave 6.8 - 7 mpg pulling reefer. I did not like it at all. Could not idle it over night with out manual regen complications,.. similar to the CAT.

Thats my personal experience. Yours and others may differ. Its just my opinion,.. and you know how that goes.

Hurst

 

Should have said pre 07. Pre dpf C15 twin turbo nxs/mxs if tuned perfect with that ecm without low nox stuffs.. If post 2010. Then look on cummins cm2350 isx15. They are less problematic than cm2250 or even isx with just dpf. Cm2350 on 386 are only seen on some 2013 and 2014 model trucks before 579 came out.

 

99% of all CAT powered 386 will all have the DPF equipped C15. Very few left in good condition with pre DPF ACERTs. 2006 or 2007 (Someone correct me here) was first and only year with pre DPF ACERT.

Finding one of those (In decent shape no less) and with specific specs in mind,.. will be as difficult as the pre 2000 379 unicorn that I am trying to find.

Lets face facts,.. if its a semi truck with emissions,.. new or old,.. its gong to be problematic sooner or later.

If it werent for Elogs,.. my next truck would probably have been a CAT powered 386.

Hurst

 

2007 386's do not have the dpf and you can only get cummins or cat after 2007 in my opinion unless you are getting a glider it's a crap shoot

 

My 2013 386 with the ISX has had very little emissions issues and I just rolled over 12,000 hours and 367,700 miles. It spends a lot of time at 1400 RPM's running my blower.

 

Is it cm2350 or cm2250? I know that there were some 2013 trucks that had cm2350 on em.