Difference between the 7.3 and Cats V8
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Guymon
Difference between the 7.3 and Cats V8
Anyone Know what the differences between the IDIs and cats smaller V8 engine. Does anyone have a cat engine model they can post that I can look up. How big is Cats V8 compared to this one along with power output, expecially torque. I think theres one for sale in the classifides but just says Small v8 Cat. The picture kinda looks like IDI valvecovers. Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
The problems you will run into.
Bellhousing bolt patern
WEIGHT
Torque
And RPM limits.
There are several transmissions that will bolt up, and then may be adapted to your driveline.
Cat engines are heavy, two or three times more than the IDI, depending on the exact model.
The torque and the way the Cat govenor works will destroy your driveline.
A CAT govenor, if you set it to 800 RPM, when the RPM drops below 800 RPM the govenor can and will go to full throttle to get back to 800 RPM.
Because of this, they are hard to stall.
It also means you can have huge torque numbers, without really trying.
And the last serious hurdle is the max RPM, 2350 is about the top RPM on any CAT engine, most are 2100 or 1900 RPM max.
Bellhousing bolt patern
WEIGHT
Torque
And RPM limits.
There are several transmissions that will bolt up, and then may be adapted to your driveline.
Cat engines are heavy, two or three times more than the IDI, depending on the exact model.
The torque and the way the Cat govenor works will destroy your driveline.
A CAT govenor, if you set it to 800 RPM, when the RPM drops below 800 RPM the govenor can and will go to full throttle to get back to 800 RPM.
Because of this, they are hard to stall.
It also means you can have huge torque numbers, without really trying.
And the last serious hurdle is the max RPM, 2350 is about the top RPM on any CAT engine, most are 2100 or 1900 RPM max.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 1
From: Sweetwater Texas
I drove a F600 dump truck once with a Cat 3208, it was def a beast, it didn't look that much bigger than a 6.9/7.3 (but then again there is quite a bit more hood space in a F600.
Maybe it was just the gears in the truck but I really don't remeber ever hitting a govevor.
Maybe it was just the gears in the truck but I really don't remeber ever hitting a govevor.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 790
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From: Danville, Pa
I was at the local u-pull it the other day, and saw an IH v8 in a med truck. At first I got really excited. Then I realised it's unlike any IH v8 I've seen before. Cast valve covers, painted ford blue. And it had an inline ip. Otherwise it looked to be about the same size and weight as the IDI.
What engine could this be?
What engine could this be?
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,628
Likes: 5,638
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
I was at the local u-pull it the other day, and saw an IH v8 in a med truck. At first I got really excited. Then I realised it's unlike any IH v8 I've seen before. Cast valve covers, painted ford blue. And it had an inline ip. Otherwise it looked to be about the same size and weight as the IDI.
What engine could this be?
What engine could this be?
that there would probably be the 9 liter. great engine if it was a good one. but if it was a bad one, they stunk. quite a few 9 liter engines were of the bad variety, with the head gaskets being the most problematic.
we had a bad one in a flatbed. some times you could get as much as 6 months on a set of head gaskets. other times they would blow out within 5 minutes of replacement. we finally swapped a 466 in and dumped the 9.
the other 9 liter flatbed has over 500k miles on it now, and still purrs like new.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I just looked at some of my Cat documents.
The C 7 Acert motor ic an inline 6 computer controlled.
Dry weight is 1200 pounds.
HP from 190 to 330 HP
Torque from 520 to 880 foot pounds at 1440 RPM.
RPM operating range 1400 to 2500 RPM
Flywheel housing SAE 1 or SAE 2.
The C 7 Acert motor ic an inline 6 computer controlled.
Dry weight is 1200 pounds.
HP from 190 to 330 HP
Torque from 520 to 880 foot pounds at 1440 RPM.
RPM operating range 1400 to 2500 RPM
Flywheel housing SAE 1 or SAE 2.
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 72
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From: Grunthal Manitoba Canada
Just an opinion, but i work in a diesel shop working on big rigs and the smaller 3 tons and 5 tons. But looking at the CAT C-6, tat motor was not tat big. I measured the length width, and heigth. It was not tat large. You could do it, but the pan needs to be cut down. I think it would fit in quite nicee and so would the 3208 V-8 CAT. ABout the drive line??? If u had a one ton frame and axles it would work out just fine with the torque and HP.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: San Antonio
I've used to work at a Freightliner dealer in parts department and the small cats sounded as if they were real problems the only good cat engines from what I saw was 3406 series and pre-2005 c15 (C12 are only good for maybe 300k) everything else seem like it was coming in all the time. If You want a good diesel the 12v 5.9 cummins is good as you can get in the small diesels.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I have a friend down the road that used to work at the local Cat dealer.
He put a 3208 Cat in an 86 diesel truck, all diesel F250 and F350 trucks are one ton drivelines.
Top speed with 3.55 gears, 51 MPH with a direct drive Clark 5 speed tranny.
2100 RPM max on the 3208.
He lives 8 miles out of town, very seldom did he drive it to town and make it back home with the driveshaft in one piece.
No problems with the axle, none with the frame, but the drive shaft just could not stand the torque.
I have 3208 torque and HP specs somewhere, I just can not find them right now.
He put a 3208 Cat in an 86 diesel truck, all diesel F250 and F350 trucks are one ton drivelines.
Top speed with 3.55 gears, 51 MPH with a direct drive Clark 5 speed tranny.
2100 RPM max on the 3208.
He lives 8 miles out of town, very seldom did he drive it to town and make it back home with the driveshaft in one piece.
No problems with the axle, none with the frame, but the drive shaft just could not stand the torque.
I have 3208 torque and HP specs somewhere, I just can not find them right now.
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