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400 big cam 3 cummins heavy haul setup

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by CabOverdrive, Apr 25, 2023.

Page 1 of 5
  1. Apr 25, 2023 #1
    CabOverdrive

    CabOverdrive Bobtail Member

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    I have a freightliner FLT cabover with a 400 big cam 3. CPL 891. I plan on eventually using it for 6-7 axle heavy haul.

    Currently the truck has a 9 over eaton fuller performance transmission. (Shift pattern is LU, LD, RD, RU). I know I'll probably have to put an 18 into it, though I do have some 2 speed rear ends for it.

    I also have some aftermarket parts, including a switchblade mechanical VGT turbo, which should greatly help with pyro temps as it spools the turbo a lot faster.

    I would like to turn the engine up to 560-600+ horses, but I am not sure of the best way to go about it. Fuel economy wouldn't really be an issue, as there's not really any such thing as fuel saving in heavy haul anyway, and the truck is a basically a rolling brick.

    I know I'll also need a beefed up radiator if I'm pushing out 560+ horsepower due to the aftercooler setup.

    My idea for this truck is that cabovers don't have tons of wasted space that a hood creates, so I can have a secondary sleeper after stretching the frame about 6 feet, add a pusher, and still have a 250-260 wheelbase heavy haul truck.

    I would greatly appreciate any advice.
     
    CabOverdrive, Apr 25, 2023
    CabOverdrive, Apr 25, 2023
    #1
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  3. Apr 25, 2023 #2
    Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    Good luck
     
    Last Call, Apr 25, 2023
    Last Call, Apr 25, 2023
    #2
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  4. Apr 25, 2023 #3
    201

    201 Road Train Member

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    high plains colorado
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    I made my living with BCs and I never thought of them as a good heavy haul motor. Spin forever if babied, but a Cat would be the only way to go. I never heard anything good from turning up a Cummins.
     
    201, Apr 25, 2023
    201, Apr 25, 2023
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    W923, HoundDog7 and Last Call Thank this.
  5. Apr 25, 2023 #4
    HoundDog7

    HoundDog7 Light Load Member

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    Oct 7, 2022
    Kansas
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    Aluminum pistons were never great for running big power and lasting a long time under heavy loads. A Caterpillar would be a better choice. Good luck.
     
    HoundDog7, Apr 25, 2023
    HoundDog7, Apr 25, 2023
    #4
    Jubal Early Times, BoxCarKidd, IH9300SBA and 1 other person Thank this.
  7. Apr 25, 2023 #5
    BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    But what Cat? Does it have aluminum pistons?
     
    BoxCarKidd, Apr 25, 2023
    BoxCarKidd, Apr 25, 2023
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    IH9300SBA, Oxbow, wore out and 1 other person Thank this.
  8. Apr 25, 2023 #6
    HoundDog7

    HoundDog7 Light Load Member

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    I'd personally go 3406E,C,B in that order. Just my opinion, but a 3406B 7FB with 9Y4004 steel top pistons and 3421 nozzles, take the screws out and a Borg Warner 78/ 1:45 tubo wouldn't be much more if any more expensive than than building a big cam 3. That's just me talking tho.
     
    HoundDog7, Apr 25, 2023
    HoundDog7, Apr 25, 2023
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  9. Apr 25, 2023 #7
    BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    Just asking as I have never had the head off of a C. Never saw steel pistons in an A or B. An E is electronic and would cost a fortune to retrofit.
    I believe most folks agree this man should just buy something else or get by with what you have until you can.
    Appreciate your information. Still trying to figure out how to make files and keep up with good posts like yours. Things that work!
     
    BoxCarKidd, Apr 25, 2023
    BoxCarKidd, Apr 25, 2023
    #7
    Jubal Early Times, wore out, HoundDog7 and 1 other person Thank this.
  10. Apr 25, 2023 #8
    Last Call

    Last Call Road Train Member

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    I have a 7fb with steel pistons .. I've seen B 's & C's with steel pistons
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 26, 2023
    Last Call, Apr 25, 2023
    Last Call, Apr 25, 2023
    #8
    W923, BoxCarKidd, Jubal Early Times and 3 others Thank this.
  11. Apr 25, 2023 #9
    Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Get those Cummins pistons “Ceramic Coated” then you just might get what your looking for if everything else is tuned correctly.(Timing, injectors, Turbo, ATAC)……
     
    Diesel Dave, Apr 25, 2023
    Diesel Dave, Apr 25, 2023
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    BoxCarKidd Thanks this.
  12. Apr 26, 2023 #10
    HoundDog7

    HoundDog7 Light Load Member

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    Oct 7, 2022
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    What's fun about building these older ("vintage" to some folks) engines nowadays is you can take parts from multiple different generations and take all the best parts upgrades and put them all together to make a fantastic and reliable engine. I love the interchangeability of the 3400 series engines as well as alot of C15 parts too.
     
    HoundDog7, Apr 26, 2023
    HoundDog7, Apr 26, 2023
    #10
    W923, IH9300SBA, Jubal Early Times and 2 others Thank this.
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