Cat's With no acceleration!!! Whats this?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by smp440, Jun 9, 2014.

  1. smp440

    smp440 Light Load Member

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    Dec 28, 2012
    Shreveport, LA
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    I was talking to a fellow trucker at a location. He has a C15 in a 387 pete. Said its a good motor but it doesn't accelerate like a 3406 does. I have a buddy that drives and said he preferred the Detroit for intown driving cause the Cat he drove would not get from stop light to stop light like the Detroit, I asked what model cat. He went to the truck and checked. It was a C15.

    That blows my mind cause I've been under the impression that the Cat's were the puller's. I had an ISM in a single axle all stock, set at 370 and it was slooowwww. Bought this 98 Int. with Detroit 12.7 it's not bad but my complaint with it is acceleration. Once you get there its fine. Its a Straight 470. Now I'm looking at a 04 truck with a C15 single turbo and worried it will not be any better.

    What is the deal? I know someone on here can explain so I may understand better. Should I look at older cat or N14 or what...
     
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  3. fuzzeymateo

    fuzzeymateo Heavy Load Member

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    They're all slow! You can thank the EPA for that and your "friendly federal government" for all their emissions laws
     
  4. Battle Born

    Battle Born Heavy Load Member

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    Feb 26, 2014
    Scandia, Mn
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    Maybe their gearing sucks?
     
  5. fuzzeymateo

    fuzzeymateo Heavy Load Member

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    Has nothing to do with gearing but everything to do with EGR, DPF, DEF, ISX, ACERT, etc. etc. etc.........and the biggest one of all the EPA. Once upon a time, (pre-2003), truck engines actually worked really-well! Only the trucking industry could regress instead of progress...Only the trucking industry could have operating costs skyrocket whereas today, a new truck from the dealer will run around 135k and ten years ago a more reliable, longer-lasting truck would run around 100k. Why is this you ask? Your beloved federal government and their emissions laws that haven't even made a dent in pollution yet have made a crater in the pocket books of owner operators and small fleets alike.
     
  6. Feedlebum

    Feedlebum Light Load Member

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    May 5, 2014
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    I drove an 04 with a single turbo and it was fine but the 07 I drove with the twin turbos was slow
     
  7. zinita17601

    zinita17601 Road Train Member

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    i completely agree with you,i have a c15 acert with a 10 speed tranny.the power band in the engine is between 1300 and 1500 rpm but when i upshift the rpm drops below the 1300 rpm and the turbo looses boost and start lagging and i feel the loss of power.im putting a 13 speed on the truck so at least i can split the top gears and stay within the power band of the engine.
     
  8. smp440

    smp440 Light Load Member

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    Dec 28, 2012
    Shreveport, LA
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    Wow, is the power band that narrow. I was told they pulled from 1000-1100 to 1500.
     
  9. zinita17601

    zinita17601 Road Train Member

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    i was told the same thing but from my experience driving this truck i can tell you thats a load of crap.i run i80 in pa all the time and even at 70k lbs gross i have to drop a gear to keep the rpm high enough to get over some hills.
     
    okiedokie Thanks this.
  10. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    I ran a C-16 Acert CAT twin turbo before regs killed the power. 42mph up 6% grades @ 105500. They were a beast back then. Just drove a B model 3406 CAT @ 105500 on a 6% at 20mph. It had been detuned. Poor excuse for a engine.
     
  11. gpsman

    gpsman Road Train Member

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    I would pay less than no attention to a "driver" concerned with ET between stop lights and who didn't even know what engine was under his hood.

    If 470 hp isn't enough to satisfy your acceleration demands... maybe your expectations are a tad unrealistic.
     
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