New 2014 Glider kit. 60 series Detroit or N14 Cummins

Don't you think the manufacturers tested all that? I'm sure they don't test their engines with special made fuel knowing that it's gonna be ran off ulsd and bio.

 

No ####. But we're talking about pre-2007 engines here, not to mention no assurance was ever made that the post 2007 engines and API CJ4 oil fully compensated for the reduced lubricity in ULSD, which is why some companies have taken to putting additives in their fuel in order to try increasing the lubricity of the fuel itself (to what effect, that has yet to be seen).

 

Not sure why anyone would really need to add anything to diesel for lubricity nowadays. Virtually every fuel outlet is selling some level of biodiesel blend anymore, and just a 2% bio blend adds more lubricity than was every taken away when they started making ULSD. And most blends I see being sold anymore are in the 5% range or more. That is taking lubricity back to pre LSD days. Bio can have it's own issues depending on who the supplier is and other factors, but lubricity is not one of them.

 

Kinda what I was thinking.

 

If you read the test, 5 products were better than plain fuel, and 6 were worse that plain fuel. I personally have not seen any fuel that does not say is has bio in it, which was #1.
People will buy anything, if you look up federal lawsuits against oil additives then look at the parts counters. it is amazing people are that dense, but then again that is my personal opinion.
Just a thought!

 

i read all this thread, i would say CAT 550 6nz with 3.25 is way to go, keep it an 1300 RPMs 7mpg with lots of power, Detroit cheap to fix but more often, cat lit more expansive to fix but less break downs then Detroit

 

Keep in mind the OP asked about Detroit vs. Cummins. Any given day......a recon 6nZ is going to run you 5-6k more than an N14. That's a significant premium if you are trying to get the most out of your investment. Caterpillar power is good.......but many of us can't justify the extra money.

 

When I ordered my Ws glider a 6nz would of been over $8000 more then my 14L 550 series 60 .
And if I compared it to a 12.7 series 60 it would of been $10500 more..
Cats gone a little outta control on there pricing, and as much as I love them this is one of the reasons I went with the detroit.

 

2015 Fitz Glider here, Cat C-15 6NZ from Thompson was $27,000 more than with a Detroit 12.7 so I went with the Detroit. 6.5 MPG including some idle time at 29,900 miles running 70 MPH whenever possible loaded 80% of the time. 6.8 on summer fuel so I expect to see it back up to 6.8 or 7.0 when summer fuel returns plus APU eliminating idle. APU installed about a month ago but haven't had much time in the truck since due to the truck being in for service every 2-3 weeks. Injector went the Sunday after Thanksgiving, starter went 2 weeks later (right after having APU installed). Oil in coolant 3 weeks ago, oil cooler replaced at MHC which did not help. Went back to MHC last week and it is now at Clarke Detroit to hopefully get fixed...

I am happy with the 500 HP Detroit and LOVE the truck but the down time is getting old fast. On a positive note, the honey-do list is getting shorter by the day. If I was hauling OS/OD/OW I would have gone with the CAT without hesitation but hauling 80,000 lbs the extra money didn't make sense to me. From what I hear from others the Detroit comes alive at 100,000 miles and I will be even happier with my decision.

My other reason for going with the Detroit over a Cat was that pretty much anyone can work on a Detroit and finding a Cat House can be a problem in the more remote areas. Also, with the surge in glider sales and the hell that is current emissions engines Cat parts can be difficult to come by.

Fitz has been good about honoring the warranty without any problems but I would rather be driving...

ETA- I called Thompson in July and they said they wouldn't have a block to rebuild for me until at least Jan 2016...

 

.... another fitz rattle can rebuild. Why actually rebuild an engine when you can send it out "junkyard fresh" with a paint job and a warranty.