Got a 1995 Gmc Top kick with a 3116 5 speed and it is a dog when its got a load.
Anyone ever turn one of these up so it will run like a real truck?
Thanks for any help in advance.

Rich

 

To gain access to the fuel screw on the 3116, you must remove the valve cover. If the seal tag/plate is still present it will need to be removed. You will need to remove the tag by removing the rocker shaft stand bolt. The screw and lock nut are on the rack bar, and take a 2mm allen wrench and an 8mm deep socket. Turn the screw counter-clockwise to increase rack travel.
Marine injectors are also available for an even better power increase. These engines arent known for making big power, and surviving it.

That's from my Low Buck Fuel Rate site.
It's no major increase, but it gives it decent pep.

 

Well, it's about half the size of a "real" truck engine so don't expect too much out of it.

Turned-up medium duty stuff is like a hand grenade with the pin out. You can get away with stuff for years in a pickup that will bite you real fast in a medium duty where the engine is getting worked hard all the time.

 

Thanks, i will try that and try to control myself on the amount of fuel i throw at it. I know these engines are not powerhouses anyways but i just need a little bit more because it won't even pull a hill empty.

 

I would buy a Pyro right away and maybe a boost gauge first to get a baseline and turn the fuel up to point where you feel ok with it. Most of them are not running at full potential, so if your careful I dont see why more fuel would be a death sentence to your little Cat.
DS79

 

no OTR engine is set to 100% duty cycle for longevity.

Say you run at flat out at 60% capacity.......think that'll last longer than running flat out at 100%.

most operators care about operating cost per mile. its what makes or breaks you.


IMO the 3116s are junk anyways.

 

I would much rather have the C7 over the 3116 any day. Just a much better engine IMO. I agree factory settings are always low when compared to the max performance of the engine. I mean look at what some of the "little" 5.9L Cummins can do!
DS79

 

In a pickup for a short period of time...

 

As long as ya dont mess with em. Look at all the switchers that run em. Those things, especially at big warehouses and such, run darn near 24 hours a day, pullin 40,000+ at times.

 

But some of those P-pump trucks are running around 400hp at the wheels, which would be well over double the stock HP and they seem to fairly reliable. Besides the 3116 isn't going to run much over 300k miles if it is used hard every day. They just aren't built for it IMO.
DS79

 

I got lucky and had one that went over 700k, but it was all stock and never worked hard. If they are worked hard seems many are lucky to see 300k and at well over 10k to rebuild or install a reman I'd play it safe. Next time look for an 8.3 cummins, better performance and longevity.

 

Marine injectors on an ON ROAD engine is illegal. NO Cat dealer will install them in a on road truck...