2000 model detroit 60 12.7 performance upgrades

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Cb367, Jan 11, 2025 at 3:09 AM.

  1. Cb367

    Cb367 Bobtail Member

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    Okay so here’s the deal we got a sterling 9522 with a wore out Detroit 60 series in it, boss wants to over haul it this spring I know essentially nothing about them, but I know it needs all the help it can get performance wise, my understanding is marine injectors and cam are the biggest injectors and cam you can get for them is this correct and what are the part numbers for said injectors and cam? Do they make high flow fuel pumps for these engines or is that not an issue? Where in Missouri can I get it tuned? Would love to get it up from the 500 hp at 2100 to about 650 or so at 23-2500 rpm
     
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  3. 50WT

    50WT Road Train Member

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    I'm driving a 1996 Detroit 60 powered glider, it's a Fitzgerald built that was supposed to be 1650 /500 . It has always been a dog. I'm a company driver, the engine was rebuilt in our shop , Detroit parts and a 1850/550 tune . It's night and day different for the better. I'll ask Monday about injector numbers.The tune is done remotely, I think the guy is someplace up the east Coast, I'll find out . It's fun to drive now, don't know if it would hang with a 1850/550 Cat , but it'd be real close. The guy that did the tune said there's more if we want it , I'm happy with the way it runs and don't want to push it too much . It does smoke on gear change but clears up right away. I'll try and remember to get more info next week.
     
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  4. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    What area of Missouri are you in?
     
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  5. Banker

    Banker Road Train Member

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    I have the same motor in my glider from the same Glider Builder. From day one I have used a Pittsburgh Power Box and I probably wouldn’t own this motor without some box or tune. It’s an awesome motor when it’s given the HP and after putting 700,000 miles on it I wouldn’t trade it for something else. Mine came with a Borg Warner turbo that I replaced 3 times in 3 years. My Detroit shop recommended going with an OEM Detroit turbo and I experienced very little HP loss and I have not had an issue with it in 6 years. I have a ported and coated exhaust manifold, FASS fuel system and a full flow muffler. I can’t tell you for sure how each of these help because I have used them since day one, but supposedly they help. If I hit a hill at 70ish at 1600-1700 RPM loaded I rarely get passed by another loaded rig, not that this matters but it pulls like no other rig I have owned or driven.
     
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  6. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    1995 12.7.

    I went to a larger injector, like a 9 hole from a 7 hole? I sent my ECM to DCS Control services , Fernando De Moura. He used to work at Pittsburgh Power. He opens them up, fixes any issues, replaces battery, tunes on a test bench for hours to whatever you want, and sends them back. I think I settled on a 550/2100 tune. When I had the trans gone through, the input shaft was replaced with a beefier one.

    Like @Banker , a 'Full tilt' one piece ported polished manifold, and 7" exhaust with flow through inserts. I went Fleet Air filters to make sure it had all the air it needed. I have the BW171702 turbo, hasn't given me any issues.

    I'd start with your engine serial number, and do some research to find what you can do with it. Mine is not the engine with the piston cooler nozzles. Cam is whatever it came with.

    I have a good mechanic that rebuilds in or out of frame, rebuilds transmissions, cuts counterbores in this area. He stands behind his work, but may not if you're intending to make a fire-breather. He is here just east of Joplin.

    There's 2 other diesel performance shops just east of Springfield but I have not had experience with them.

    It's not as strong as my N-14 was, but it seems to do a good job - like banker said it gets to the top of the hill at a decent rate.

    I have a feeling the whole 'marine cam and injectors' and I've heard 'Australian Fire truck' tunes - are more to do with EPA and the like's regulatory emissions parameters - than physical parts and tunes.

    Do some searching in this forum and you'll find a lot of pointers and information.

    Oh - and do the bullhead if you're going to inframe.
     
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  7. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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  8. Banker

    Banker Road Train Member

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    I forgot about my fleet air and larger injectors until Blair mentioned his. The air filters definitely flow more air because you can tell a huge difference in the sound of the turbo with them or without them. @blairandgretchen I am coming your way Monday. Can you see that the side streets and dealer lot in Sedalia is fairly clear?
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2025 at 12:23 PM
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  9. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    That’s up north from me, but I called the city council and told them to dump all their plowed snow up around the car lots in town.

    You’re welcome. :)
     
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  10. Banker

    Banker Road Train Member

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    With friends like you I don’t know what I will do!
     
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  11. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    Pittsburgh Power can get give that Detroit some power. They don’t sell the Power Box anymore but can put custom tune in the ECM.

     
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