Can You Dial Up HP On A Cummins Engine

like anything else, it depends what it is already set at, and what you want, and what it is designed to put out.

to do it right, get the CPL number off the data plate (4 digits) and ask cummins.
also, check your transmission, a lighter rated tranny will not like a turned up engine.

 

On older ones, you had to have the parts to bring it up to the higher hp spec, and often it required rebuiilding since there wee different piston shapes for various models. For example, the older 400 and the 290 were virtually identical except for fuel pump settings and piston dome shapes.

On newer engines, it's mainly a matter of having the computer keyed to the hp rating you want, and a possible change of pressure sensors and limiters on the ngine. As always, you have to have a Cummins dealership do the changes, since they have the computer that can talk to your engine. Of, you have to find an outside shop that has invested in a software program for talking to the engines.

And you do have to be mindful of the rest of the driveline components past the engine, or things can get real expensive in a very short time.

 

My boss just turned his up from 450 to 525. He got an outside shop to do it but there are alot of hoops to jump thru. Cummins has to give you the update and will only give it to a trained cummins tech. There is only one time it can be used and is only for the serial number of the eengine your adding it to.

 

Like was previously stated all you need is the right calibration. If you can get a calibration from Cummins it should only take 30 minutes to download on to the ECM. Now it will void the warrenty of the engine and transmission. I have drove a freightliner with an ISM that had 500hp. I have also drove a Peterbilt that had 665hp ISX. Don't expect to get those number through a factory calibration. The factory has those calibrations, but those are in house cals only. They don't hand those things out like free cookies. These numbers that are from the trucks I drove are at the higher end of what is driveable without breaking other componets such as the transmission. You can take a 400 hp ISX and turn it up to mid 500hp saftely. After that you may have to buy new componets such as injectors.

 

As previously stated by some other members on this board there are limitation. I should correct my previous statement because there are a few flaws in it as I have learned today through testing at work.

1. There are three different levels of performance of ISX engines.

The 1st level is 400-470 hp.

The 2nd level is 470-525 hp.

The third level is 525-600hp.

2. The different engine levels have different componets to meet them. The different levels may not have the same pistons, injectors, and as I learned today Turbos.

3. A 600 hp engine will not run right if it has a 400 hp calibration in it and the other way around.

Sorry to lead some of you down the wrong path. I was wrong and I hope no harm was done to any engine because of my misleading advice.

 

Hey guys,get a hold of TST,they will tell you how much,and if it's safe and legal,500hp or above is only leagal in offroad vehicles,graders dozers and such,seeya.

 

I don't know if the N14's are the sme as the isx but from what I know the N14 if you have 430hp setting it can be turned up to 500 with just a computer dwnload. If you want to go to 525 then you need to upgrade the turbo.
If you have a mechanical big cam liek I do then you are in fr some motor work but Pitsburg power can get over 700hp out of a big cam. It's around $14000 in parts though. I may consider it when I rebuild mine. You can d less power around 500+ for under $10000. That's not just power gdies that s liner pistons etc. everything you wuld do while overhauling the motor anyways

 

i had a truck a few years with cummin 370/435 i was told when i bought it t could be tuned up to 500 it was dun by the freightlinner dealership i la. i was told to take it to . i told them to turn it al the way up .about moth later i went out to al california crossed the mountains i 10 got in the city and came to a stoplight and went to take off and my drive shaft broke .it was in the shop for a week coast me all most 4,000 to fix it and pay for towing and food and for the motel room. i told them i had it turned up they said that was the reason the drive shaft more in likely broke . also the 370/435 has a midium cam. it will not turn up over435 wiith out changing a lot of stuff. its what happened to me.the company i was working for loaned me the money but kept my pay checks till they got there money back in full .it was my first truck.boy did i learn a big lesson . dont mak my mistake .lyion