Cummins Conversion, Best Motor?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, MO
The CR has wires, yes, but compared to a 12 valve it's nothing extra that you need to wire up into the existing wiring harness on your current truck other thank keyed power. Getting gauges, tach, etc. to work on the CR is going to be the same amount of work as it is on a 12 valve.
Again, CR's are very capable of making more than 1000 HP, but you can also have the same engine chugging along nicely at 300 HP to pull a large load, all with a quick change in programming. If you're going full-tilt race/pull truck only, I'd probably go with a P-pumped 24V anyway. For the most practical, user friendly, and adjustable engine, the CR can't be beat, IMO.
One other thing to consider. If you're swapping an engine into a truck, in many areas with emmissions testing, you can only install an engine of the same model year or newer. That pretty much eliminates the 12 valve for some, and limits others to the 24 valve or even CR if you have an '03.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
I am fully with Curtis and Jeremy. COMMON RAIL. Just do it and be done if you decide to go that route. There is a reason all the new diesels are common rail. Power, and economy. I know that sounds stupid but look into it. Turn it up or down.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
12v for a racing truck, and common rail for ANYTHING else. It's hard to beat the versatility of a common rail. Jeremy i thought of a new plate for ya today at work... "CMNRAIL" or since you can only do 6 "CMRAIL"... It would be so much easier for 7...
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,767
Likes: 1
[quote=jtharvey;One other thing to consider. If you're swapping an engine into a truck, in many areas with emmissions testing, you can only install an engine of the same model year or newer. That pretty much eliminates the 12 valve for some, and limits others to the 24 valve or even CR if you have an '03.[/quote]
Again, great information. Sorry you are having to learn it instead of just dreaming about doing it one day.
Again, great information. Sorry you are having to learn it instead of just dreaming about doing it one day.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, MO
I'll keep it in mind though, since they may deny it. Kai's request for the same thing got deinied for some reason. Must be something with the "stroked" part of it.
While the timing and financial side of it was not the best, it's pretty interesting actually. I've got a lot of people around here interested in it too. I'm learning a lot about the CR and hope to have a pretty good running truck once it's done. Still getting a few more goodies for it...turbo showed up this week...polished stainless steel from HTT.
I'll get to really working on it when I get back from my vacation. We're leaving on Thursday and will be gone till the first weekend in July. I plan to put in some long hours after work after that. I'd like to have it running by the end of July.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 2
From: Middle Tennessee
I'd like to see it sooner, but I'll wait. Glad to see it is coming along. Keep us posted and have a good trip Jeremy.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
Quite a few folks are going common rail. AlanB who is a member on a few other forums has had Rocky drop a common rail into his OBS truck after it was totaled from being submerged in a lake. Truck runs niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
Yes for the best of both worlds... bullet proof bottom end, voluminous air moving top end, but not for the light hearted.
For a daily driver, the consesus would be a Common Rail, for the shear ability to keep it 'turned down' and get your cruise on or turn things up and get your corvette killer boots on.
Personally, I'd do something in the way of an earlier motor, something 'mechanical.' I'd just want raw power, no need to back power out (just sounds silly). Plus, I haven't seen a common rail 5.9 come close to the numbers a built 12 valve can do.
My .02
For a daily driver, the consesus would be a Common Rail, for the shear ability to keep it 'turned down' and get your cruise on or turn things up and get your corvette killer boots on.
Personally, I'd do something in the way of an earlier motor, something 'mechanical.' I'd just want raw power, no need to back power out (just sounds silly). Plus, I haven't seen a common rail 5.9 come close to the numbers a built 12 valve can do.
My .02
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
I like this idea better, and there are plenty out there cheap.
MaxxForce DT for Class 6?7 Trucks - MaxxForce
MaxxForce DT for Class 6?7 Trucks - MaxxForce
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,582
Likes: 12
From: 21791
With a set of injectors and compound turbos on a Common rail, it would be no problem towing in a setting that's 450/900+, while keeping EGT under control. You'd be suprised how easily a true 300hp moves a trailer around. Most of yall tow in 40 or 60, which is basically only 250ish hp to the wheels.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, MO
What have you seen out of the 12 valves? I mean ones that are streetable, not the pulling trucks that need a hand throttle to bring the RPM up slowly, keeping it from snuffing the turbo(s). Street driven 12 valves...what are they putting down. I'm seriously curious what you've seen.