I am looking at trucks and mainly looking at the engine that is reliable, easy to maintain, and inexpensive parts. No Kitty Cats for me. I have an RV with a Cummins b-Series and simple to work on since it is a 94 mechanical. The engine/ truck will be from the mid to late 90s.

What engine would those of you prefer and had experience with?? I see the injectors alone on the N14 are an arm and a leg. On my B-series Cummins they are expensive too. But how are the Detroits? I do LOVE the sound of the Series 60. Ahh hell I just love diesel sounds, but not Chevy or Ford.

 

ser 60 det!!!!!

 

The Detroits I've driven spent a lot of time in the shop. They seemed to have an appetite for injectors, as that's what were (seemed like) constantly being replaced. For my own money, I won't buy a Detroit, because when I'm running my own truck, I need to be on the road, not in the shop.

The N-14+ (500 hp redhead) I owned had good power, and spent little time in the shop other than oil changes. Yes, I did have a couple of times that it cost me money, but replacing the original air compressor after 800K or replacing the clutch after 750K really doesn't mean there is a weakness in the engine. Yes, I did have to have a front main seal replaced once. By the time I got rid of it, it had over 900K on it. Come to think of it, I did have to replace one injector shortly after I got it. Many times, I've been sorry I don't have it anymore. Who knew how fuel prices were going to go down. Then again, with the EPA regs, maybe it's just as well I don't have it anymore.

Compared to the Detroit that the company just got rid of, Just this year, it had been in the shop (and I was off work) a total of 9 weeks. It had 534K on it when they got rid of it.

 

Was it an EGR detroit?

I'd avoid those like the plague. Anything EGR for that matter.

 

I am just going by my 94 ser 60 1.5 mil & not even an inframe yet. injectors after 1 mil. factory cltuch til 1.1 mil, still org turbo still going everyday. burns & leaks a lil oil, but still has power. 11.1 h.p.

 

I have been around both engines for several years. The Detroits are pretty good engines overall. They will get better fuel mileage on average than an N-14, but the N-14 beats it out in torque and low RPM lugging power, and usually the engine brake is a lot stronger. Pittsburgh Power will tell you that the N-14 is a more solid engine, but that doesn't mean the Detroit is a slacker either. N-14's will tend to be a little pricier for parts than a Detroit. My choice would be for the N-14, but if the price were good, I would have no problem opting for a good Detroit.... specifically the 12.7 pre egr version. Very reliable engine and when matched with good tranny/rearend specs, really good mpg.

 

1997 S60 DDEC III 470 HP is the year the DD techs I know would own, if they were buying one for themselves.

 

Detroit! It's settled. No more opinions, other than detroit !!! This question is closed to other opinions!!

 

You wish, fool. (flips the bird) (lol)

The N14 is the most awesome motor I've ever had. The last Detroit I drove ate its turbo after only 60K miles. The N14 could pull Mount Everest out of the ground without complaint. Even set far below its power threshold, I outran owner/ops uphill at 79,580(at least until 68mph).

N14. There is no substitute.

 

I take it, you like the n-14 ?