Cummins X15 horsepower ratings

On Cummins, you have to compare CPL's when uprating. Many engines have families that you can raise HP with software only, but not to highest HP that is offered. All case by case basis and homework is required. I steer clear of this stuff as I have gotten older. I helped a guy on here with an earlier 5EK that got a software only HP increase. He lost power because flash was for higher flowing injector. You have to do homework on it.

 

The Efficiency Series x15 has higher compression ratio. Not sure if that can be achieved with software only.

I think that they differ at last between different series.

Volvo has the D13 that has the same internals for the whole range (except Turbo Compouning models). The issue is that you can barely tell that 500 hp one is any stronger than say 455 hp.

 

Incorrect.
Head, oil coolers, pistons, cam, turbo, geartrain (scissor gears) and injectors change depending on horsepower ratings. Each setup (cpl) will have a range it can be flashed up or down with software. A 430hp motor does not have the same internals as a 605hp.

 

An older 60 series Detrout or a Caterpillar? Yeah.

 

Anyone know what the max HP a X-15 efficiency series can be flashed too?

 

Memory serves I think its like 485. Best just contact Cummins direct with your ESN. Depends on which CPL

 

Yes you can , I'm driving a glider with a 1996 series60. It has a after market exhaust manifold, BW non waste gated . I'm running a 1850 550 tune . It's night and day different from stock tune. It smokes a bit then clears up when going through the gears. Just keep your RPM up, 1600 and above. Keep a eye on the heat on long pulls I was told this when we put the tune in but I haven't had a problem with it getting hot.
Will it pull with a 550 Cat , no but you won't be far from it. The guy that tuned it said he's got more if I wanted it but I'm happy with it as is. I have to ride around sitting on both hands to keep from waving at everyone I'm so happy.

 

the 60 series is easy turned up the big red boat anchor not so much

 

I'm pretty new to this so if I'm speaking out of line then feel free to whip lash me! So here goes... I have been thinking of buying a rig so that I have the freedom to slow down and be home more often. In that process I have been weighing used vs new vs how much I really wanna haul per week vs how much I will NEED to haul if I have to replace a motor if you know what I mean. I'm leaning to a used fairly low mile (3-400k) which I think should have some decent life left based on how many miles per year I figure I will run, but my research is to make sure I can budget in enough with reduced miles for a overhaul or reman within 5yrs to see if it pencils out to just going newer.

This is where it gets pertinent to the OP's question. In my research I came across a PDF that has the cummins overhual kit part numbers. 6491580 ISX Overhaul Kits Part Number Quick Reference What's interesting is on the EPA17+ elite kit is that they only offer 2 versions. The previous versions have a number of kits. The Elite kit comes with high pressure fuel pump and injectors. Those are the primary "hard" parts that would influence how much HP a crate engine (minus turbo, electronics, and accessory drives) would be able to develop. Obviously programming, turbo setup, and accessories will also make a difference, but from a purely internal parts perspective, according to the kits, there should only be 2 configurations for the EPA 2017+. My assumption (yes I know the dangers in assuming but it seems logical!) that somewhere in the median between the low and high HP engines is probably what defines which kit you would need. I'd "guess" 500 and below is a differerent kit than 500+. It would seem logical that if a person input various serial numbers of a same year X15 (like from a wrecking yard site that freely provides the ESN), into the cummins part website it should determine which elite kit fits the various HP/TQ engines. Way more variables on the pre17's. Though it's probably as easy as simply calling a cummins store and asking what differentiates the 2 kits!

What is really interesting though, when you look up the cost of a NEW engine long block (minus turbo, computer, accessories, etc..), the 400hp engines are cheaper to just replace than to overhaul, the 500's start going up in price +20%'ish over the 400's, and the 550's take a significant leap yet again 30-40% over the 500.... so that either blows my theory out of the water, or vendors are just charging a premium to sell an engine with bigger injectors! I guess if I really wanted to know, I could check crank, connecting rod, piston, and valve part numbers for the low HP and high HP engines...

just my $.02 - Mac