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Diesel engine tuning

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Old May 25, 2004 | 05:42 PM
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Diesel engine tuning

Ok I guess this is the best category to put this in.

I was wondering the basics of tuning a diesel engine. Specifically, how to setup the A/F ratio and the ignition timing.

The engine I have has mechanical fuel injection. What is the best way to go about pulling more power out of this engine?

The engine is already turbochaged, and intercooled.

I am thinking a camshaft, but other than that, I don't know what to try aside from having the injector pump retuned and possibly having new weights put in the advance.
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 08:24 PM
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i was kinda thinking about that myself, i finally got a highboy to put a diesel in, and would like to tune it to make good power and great fuel mileagealthough it would probably be easiest with a computer controlled system, so you can make new fuel maps and such for the engine

have you ever heard of cams for deisels? i know that anything can be made, but i couldn't imagine a diesel w/ a lumpy idle! but it wouldn't be a cam for high speeds, maybe if it got more lift (thinking about more air=power/mileage)

maybe also some porting...

not sure what you mean by new weights in the advance, diesels dont have ignition systems.
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 08:33 PM
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Well, for starters I am talking about a 3406B series Caterpillar diesel.

In the injector pump there are governor advance weights. Under heavy throttle and low rpm, the wieghts change the timing. If I understand the explination I got correctly.

The engine in question can be set anywhere from 350 hp to 482. I am just wondering what they did differently to change the hp so drastically.
 
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Old May 25, 2004 | 10:02 PM
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Which HP motor do you have now? If it's a B maybe 425? You can change all kinds of things on that Cat. Usually injectors, turbos, cams, and pistons make the difference.
 
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Old May 26, 2004 | 12:22 PM
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'86 @ 400 hp.
 
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Old May 26, 2004 | 04:36 PM
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you could try propane injection. Im working up a system now to put on my 1983 f250 w/ 6.9. Ive never really heard anything bad about propane (however im sure there is) its supposed to increase hp tq and mpg while not adding the stress of other performance diesel parts. Its supposed to make some mean power though
 
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Old May 26, 2004 | 09:30 PM
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Only 400 huh. It must not have the intercooler huh? The easiest way to jack it up some is to find someone who knows Cats, and have him jack up the fuel pump. There's a cover that comes off the back with some adjustment screws inside. You need to adjust them pretty precisely or it will be all "screwed" up.

What kind of boost are you running now?
 
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Old May 26, 2004 | 11:09 PM
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It currently is in stock form. Has the OE air to water intercooler/aftercooler.

Boost pressure, I'm not sure. I don't have boost guage yet. I have heard 32-36 psi is the norm though.
 
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Old May 27, 2004 | 10:36 AM
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You need to add the boost gauge, that's the only way you'll now where you're at. 36 would be on the high side, yours is probably lucky to get past 25 in stock form.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2005 | 11:42 AM
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3406B cat hp upgrade

there is a small oval cover on the back of the govorner housing below the shut down selanoid if you dont know what i'm talking about stop now. there are two allen head screws in there with either 3/8 or 7/16 (depending on the year) jam nuts you need a 1/4 inch drive deep socket (thin wall) break the nuts loose after that insert the allen wrench through the socket both screws need to be backed out EXACTLY! the same amount anywhere up to 1 1/2 turns after keep an eye on the pyrometer on upgrades with heavy loads. my 86 kw is only backed out one full turn it gets a puff of black smoke now i also turned up my max rpm to 2250 this will give you an easy 100 hp over factory setting good luck hope this post isnt ancient. dont blame me if you cant get your foot out of it and burn it up!! hanging a C or E model turbo on it will help with smoke and high egt hope this helps someone
 
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