Cummins Vs. Detroit Series 60 Comparison

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by hines05, Nov 7, 2008.

  1. hines05

    hines05 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 14, 2007
    SW Washington
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    I'm restoring and building a '60 Kenworth log truck and need some advice on engine (and possibly transmission) choice. I'm considering either a newer Cummins or Detroit as I've heard they both get great fuel economy and are lighter in weight. This truck will work every day when I finish it. I plan to build it lightweight and strong as possible, and I want good fuel economy. Of course reliability is also important. I don't mind electronically controled engines but I don't want to deal with the new emissions engines yet. I don't have a lot of experience with the Detroit engines so I'm looking for any advice and facts I can get. Thank you!
     
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  3. 550hpW900L

    550hpW900L Road Train Member

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    norcal
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    I dont think you will get millage out of either hauling logs, especially off road. Buy a pre 2003 CAT and never look back.
     
  4. plowboy_84

    plowboy_84 Light Load Member

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    Oct 28, 2008
    Terra Alta, WV
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    personally i like a detroit...it will do better than a cummins
     
  5. 24valve puller

    24valve puller Medium Load Member

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    Sep 8, 2007
    N.E. Oh
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    Go with a N-14 cummins or a pre-03 cat 3406/c-15/c-16. Put one of those in front of a 18 spd
     
  6. 24valve puller

    24valve puller Medium Load Member

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    Sep 8, 2007
    N.E. Oh
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    Have you driven both to be able to say that, I have and do not believe a detroit will run anywhere close to a cummins. The truck I drove before I got my own had a 515hp detroit 06 pre emmision engine would get to the top of snowshoe on 80 about 4 mph faster than my 525 cummins but my cummins was lugging 105k up the hill where the detroit had about 70k to play with, same run at the hill also, 67 mph. I can't remember how many of those freight boxes that got a big run for that hill I would have to pass only about half way up
     
  7. Captain Canuck

    Captain Canuck "Captain of the Ship"

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    Woodstock, NB, Canada
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    I for one would put a Detroit in front of a 13 over or 18 with 3.58 diffs, keep it around 62-65, and enjoy the fuel mileage.
     
  8. 1989 Pete

    1989 Pete "Pine Tree Eater"

    Man get you a 1989 Big Cam Cummins call in a day!!!!! You can't go wrong can't break that motor!!!!!
     
  9. 24valve puller

    24valve puller Medium Load Member

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    Sep 8, 2007
    N.E. Oh
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    It will not do any better than a cummins. My n-14 with a 379 pete in the midwest does 7.25-7.5 I have yet to talk to anybody on the road getting any better with a detroit
     
  10. Captain Canuck

    Captain Canuck "Captain of the Ship"

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    Apr 7, 2007
    Woodstock, NB, Canada
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    You're right, the Detroit might match it for fuel mileage, but likely won't do any better. I just dislike the Cummins... have had more trouble with them than any other motor. Mind you, never drove an N-14, my experience is all with ISX's.
     
  11. MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

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    I'm doing that in a freightliner classic with a 500hp Detroit DDEC3
     
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