Mechanical or Electronic CAT, which one is better

Let him drive it, A mechanical motor is a good one to learn with. He's gonna have to pay attention to everything and thats the best way to learn.

 

Pullingtrucker, I think as long as they are yellow, its all good.

The only thing to debate here really is the fuel system, I assume thats what you meant in mech vs. elec ?

Electronics / Computers are replacing mechanical / moving components in everything. The thing most people don't get is... mechanical truck engines weren't phased out to benefit independant truckers or shadetree mechanics, quite the opposite really.

I know very little about cat programming, codes, passwords, or whatever, and I'm sure it is a good thing in certain applications, but I just don't see the newer trucks as anything more than a big idiot light basically, they are wired like a security system to keep you from altering it from factory settings. Thanks to the EPA, CARB or whoever is responsible, but no thanks Some internal parts have been upgraded in later engines also, in that all engines are designed to live a certain amount of time, not forever, and the same kinda nerds who write computer programs, have it figured according to cost / mile over the average life of the engine.
Start pricing reman engines and see how you come out, but remember your engine manufacture date can't precede the truck or the EPA / CARB will spank you.

If comparing [ performance vs. pollution vs. reliability] over the life of the same hp-rated engine, 425 hp 3406b vs. 435 hp 3406e, each at factory specs, there won't be any noticeable difference. The thing is you could pull over with the bmodel and after a few adjustments blow smoke all over that E model as you blow by him on the hills His only option is to go pay the stealership $500 to reprogram his ecm, and only if his truck is upgradable. The guy with the b model hasn't spent shat and is putting 650 to the ground with only a bearing roll needed at 500,000, all the while counting the money he saves with it but at the same time probably not realizing this is why they were took off the road
Driver habits and maintenance will create the illusion of this engine is better or worse, and will affect engine life and overall performance more than anything else 99 % of the time. Knowing this, and maybe its hypocricy, but I like mechanical for me, elec if I'm hiring a driver.

So before you start shooting 550, Mr. Haney, and a few others, I know you have E models cats that claw the ground.... but in reality most people with them are neutered and either can't help it or don't care.

 

If your engine manufacture date can't precede that of the truck, how do glider kits work then?

As for the $500 reprogram option -- apparently, that gets you low-NOx codes too, whether you want them or not. So if you have an older electronic engine, it'll hurt performance, not help it.

Sometimes, CARB and their ilk make me want more emissions out of spite.

 

From what I understand glider kits could soon be history also.
You know how it is though, in every law passed there are usually loopholes, and I didn't say you can't do it anyhow, just that if you get caught you might get a spanking

I'm not a reliable source for facts just opinions

I'm the kinda fellow that would take a brand new 389 glider and drop in a 1693 caterpillar just because they sound cool

 

Sometimes, CARB and their ilk make me want more emissions out of spite.[/quote]


Careful what you wish for...

I am really worried that the environmentalists are going to push the transportation industry right off a cliff... And they are so politically correct they can't even comprehend it.
Do you even wonder anymore if they have the slightest ability to be reasonable... government officials included.

I believe there is a large gray area in todays society people ignore.
It is called reality... and the people making the rules could care less about it. They are people though... and you start giving a dam when you start to worry. As an independant trucker... I dread seeing the condition things are going to be in when this happens.

How about this....

Caterpillar has proved that they can build reliable on highway truck engines for the last 40 years.
Cat is a multibillion dollar corporation that builds heavy equipment... Cat motors are all based on industrial... Truck engines are only arranged to meet on highway requirements.

And before you say it they are not even close to losing money... They are the biggest heavy equipment manufacturer in the world... They have had more than a substantial share of the on highway market all along... The most loyal customer base of any other diesel engine manufacturer... And a shatload of warranty and old engines they still have to service.

So they aren't going anywhere... they just ain't going any further.
Who cares... you can still get new engines or remans clear back to the 3406a.

I wonder why Caterpillar decided to step out...

Is it because the engines they are required provide anymore are so awesome... I think not.
Maybe they are just tired of making money... I doubt it.

Detroit sold out long ago... Volvo ate up Mack... so now they are putting out two brands of space shuttles instead of just one... As for a Mercedes in a truck... you might as well just get a volvo...
That leaves Cumapart Cummins or the a guinea pig Paccar engine
that doesn't have a chance. Except for the endangered Glider Kit... the future of new trucks just sucks to say the least.

And anybody thats worried about a mechanical cat smoking between gears... Put your air / fuel ratio plunger back on your fuel punp... Adjust it so it works... Stop standing on the gas peddle so soon ... just whatever works for you... I don't really have a problem with it...

 

Its no fun unless it smokes!!!
650 miles is a low number for an overhaul on a B. I had over 700 on mine and the only reason I did the overhaul was because they had to pull the head to replace the O-ring on the number 1 liner. I figured it was due, but the bearing was just starting to show wear and the pistons and liners still looked good. It was far from stock and I hauled heavy on 2 lane roads most of its life.

 

359kool: I said more emissions, not more emissions check. I agree with Les2: It's no fun unless it smokes!!

It's tragic that the EPA forced Caterpillar out of the on-highway truck engine business. I'm going to keep my 3406E going for as long as I can.

I'm going to find ways to make it smoke a little too -- but with a switch on the dashboard so I'm not wasting fuel other than when I want to put on a show.