RollinCoalSmoke

Being from the old school and running 3406-B model Cats I bought a 3406-E that Cat rebuilt. It is set at 475 hp from Cat. It's time to crank up the horsepower. After asking several people what 3406-E can be turned up to i'm still not sure, i was told anywhere from 500 hp to 625 hp. Then others said if you go over 525 hp it will need new injectors and turbo to get to 625 hp. So i'm not sure. Any of you guys have some good info on this??? Why turn it up? With the 3:55 gears and ****** super 10 trans the torque range is in the wrong place. From 60 to 70 mph it is a pure dog, from 75 mph to triple digits it runs like like a sports car. Manifold pressure at 1650 to 2150 is 22 to 26 psi. At 26 psi it is strong but running way over the speed limit. Time to put the computer on it and do some tuning-so shoot some ideas out here. One idea is to ditch the super 10, but maybe just put some fuel to it for now till the super 10 bites the dust. Thanks in advance for the info.

pind

the big power E models have different pistons, injectors, and a couple of other tweaks.

Cat E models have a "driver Reward" program built into the ECM. They want their engines to run at 1550rpm... period.

What the reward program does, is every time you exceed what they want you to run at, it takes a little bit of power away. When you get a driver who drives it properly, the power begins to come back, and it takes a while, up to a month of daily driving cycles. Blow through the roof, and you start all over again.

your best bet for turning it up a little, comes from platinum performance, and like minded companies. You can get little add on widgets that will allow it to fuel a little lower, and give you the bottom end you want. Unless you love a huge fuel bill, there is no percentage in running them above 1600 rpm.

The fuel codes within the ECM are factory set, and they are the only ones that can allow changes. The dealer can do it, but they have to communicate with the factory, and your visa card. The good codes are "off highway" codes, and good luck getting hold of those.

RollinCoalSmoke

pind I just got a code from a friend of mine. He is a retired Cat mechanic with a world of knowledge. I like to fell over when I saw how long this code was it went across 2 full lines on a full size legal pad. According to him this code will more than make me happy, he says hills or mountains or weight or wind make no difference "it will go". Swears the fuel mileage will only suffer minimal and has seen most of them go up in mileage. Now to the fun part is finding a place to install this code close to me or I can drive 400 miles to where he used to work to get it done. Not sure what this code is-offroad? high performance? or????

nevrenufhp

It would be worth going the 400 miles, just to be sure that's what they load into it. There's also PDI that'll reprogram your ECM to do whatever you need it to(within mechanical limits). Except, I'd give your Cat buddy a try first.

pind

if you want those codes installed, you'll have to stand overtop of the tech while its done.

A dealer will generally NOT install the off-highway, high power codes into a truck ecm, due to liability issues. If you can find someone with an Ecat and passwords, that will allow them to change fuel info on your unit, then you are into something, but otherwise, good luck.

I have seen a dealer try to get passworded for fuel codes, and the factory guys asked if he had codes to install, and what they were. Once they found out... no luck.

Grey Wolf

Sounds like you need a conversation with Bruce.....

http://www.pittsburghpower.com/

2006BLKMegacab

I have to ask, what is your serial number prefix? I have an E block that was 475 from the factory which was rebuilt by CAT last winter and they set it to 550 for me and gave me a full 2 years parts and labor warranty. the direct quote from the head mechanic was that " the 475's were the same components as the 550's so it was the same inframe kit"

PoorMansCat

475 to 550 isnt a big jump. Thats probably just a rating # and/or interlock code change on the same software. On the OTR engines, the lower power is usually a result of an OEM wanting to protect the drivetrain thru any warranty period. Call a local Cat dealer and ask for a quote to up-rate the engine to 550 hp, you will need to have the exact serial # from the block tag when you call. They can give you an exact price quote on making the change.
Short of that, see if you can put your hands on an ECM and injectors from an Industrial C-16. As a side note, the C-18 industrials are set at about 900 hp. from the factory. But use a set of small parallel turbos that would consume alot of underhood space.

NE frmhnd

A 3406E kept under 1550 RPM? What's that take, a 21 speed transmission? A C-15, has to be kept under that to have any real power, and needs a minimum 13 speed. I'd hate to try running a C-15 with a 10 speed, and a 3406 could really benefit from more gears.

An E model does have power further down than a B model, but it still doesn't have the bottom end of a C-motor.

2006BLKMegacab

its all in the tranny gearing and power, i can shift my 13 like a 9 all day when im empty and it dont complain, loaded ya i miss the 18 i had in my last truck but im still turning 1325 rpm @ 60 mph, it pulls great at 1550 but the cops up here dont like it too much

Zipperhead93

The best codes that I have found is the michigan logger special it really woke up mine in my paystar log truck that I gross 164,000 lbs with in all sorts of road conditions. The code really changed how the engine pulls down to 1200 rpm. This is not always the best on fuel but that is always the trade off.