BAC Forum

General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Steve Adams on April 10, 2011, 04:15:57 AM

Title: HP question on CAT engines
Post by: Steve Adams on April 10, 2011, 04:15:57 AM

Three posts in a row, its a Trifecta!!!

We have a 330 Cat. It does a good job on freeways when they are fairly level, but just dies in the hills. One member of the board reported that his coach had been modded to provide 380 HP. When I asked how that had been done, I got no reply.

Can it be done? Is the cost prohibitive? What are the drawbacks? Is this a pipe dream?

Thanks, Steve

Title: Re: HP question on CAT engines
Post by: Richard And Babs Ames on April 10, 2011, 05:52:14 AM

Any time you increase horsepower you increase heat production and have to disperse it.

Title: Re: HP question on CAT engines
Post by: Gerald Farris on April 10, 2011, 07:02:44 AM

Steve,
The 3126 engine is about maxed out at 330 HP. You can get a little more power out of it by installing a resistor in the wiring harness for the turbo boost sensor, but you will probably need to install an EGT (exhaust gas temperature) gauge and exercise some care to prevent a piston failure.  

Gerald

Title: Re: HP question on CAT engines
Post by: Bill Sprague on April 10, 2011, 05:47:37 PM

I've posted the details before, but I had a "race" with a friend named Marty.  We agreed to not exceed the speed limit on a 25 mile run that included three 6% grades near Yakima.  I have a heavy coach with a lowly Cummins.  Marty's Thunder has a great big growly Cat.  He beat by 2 minutes!   If I remember correctly, he had to avoid the rest stops because he knew I would beat him to Tacoma!  Slowing down on the few hills we climb is not that big of a deal.  Except that we always hate to be passed by anything!

Title: Re: HP question on CAT engines
Post by: Gerald Farris on April 10, 2011, 06:28:00 PM

Bill,
I agree with you. If you get passed on a hill, you will live over it. I drive a Marquis equipped with a C 12 Cat, and I get passed on a regular basis because I am not willing to pay the extra fuel bills to be the fastest dog on the track.

Gerald

Title: Re: HP question on CAT engines
Post by: John and Judy Gardner on April 10, 2011, 09:10:58 PM

Bill and Gerald

I also agree, what's the rush, best to enjoy the views.

Title: Re: HP question on CAT engines
Post by: Bill Sprague on April 11, 2011, 02:05:09 AM

Quote from: Gerald Farris

Bill,
I agree with you. If you get passed on a hill, you will live over it. I drive a Marquis equipped with a C 12 Cat, and I get passed on a regular basis because I am not willing to pay the extra fuel bills to be the fastest dog on the track.

Gerald

And, if you don't have any engine cooling issues, don't mess with it!  Be happy!

Title: Re: HP question on CAT engines
Post by: Steve Adams on April 13, 2011, 09:16:58 AM

Thanks everyone for their responses.

Steve

Title: Re: HP question on CAT engines
Post by: Richard And Babs Ames on April 13, 2011, 01:38:30 PM

On your engine the best climbing RPM is arround 2000. The cooling system seems most efficient at that range.