Difference between 555 and 600

[Pit Bull]

I've noticed that some members are not pleased with the 600 compared to the 555. Can someone explain why? Did Cummins have to increase the complexity in the 600 to the point that it hurt dependablity and also hurt fuel economy? I know the 600 over came some EPA issues but at what cost? Is the 555 now the pick of the litter?

 

[klenger]

This is just my oberservation, but it seems that most of the members who do not like the 600 don't actually own one. I'm thrilled with mine. Oh, and to answer your question, the diffence between 555 and 600 is -45.

 

[Kry226]

I think the major part of it is the 600 (or 610 for that matter) has to meet emissions standards that went into effect Jan '04, and the 555 doesn't. The 600/610 now has a catalytic converter or particulate catcher that has to be maintained, and I think DC/Cummins added a third injection event to reduce emissions further. As a 555 owner, that's a lot of extra stuff to go wrong and maintain, not to mention the poorer mileage as some have reported and mileage reflash released. I wouldn't knock the 600, as I don't have one, but I'd just as soon keep my 555.

 

[KCJackson]

The 600/610 is not for people who already have 555s, it's for those of us with 1st and 2nd gens, or the California-spec 3rd gens, to get into the power ranks. The 325/610 will feel like a gasser compared to my 180/420 12-valve.

 

[DBoggs]

I never owned the 555 but as the new owner of a 610, I think this is the best thing since sliced bread. This engine runs smoother, starts easier, has oodles more power than my 01 did and is getting the same mpg before its even close to being broke in. The catalytic converter doesn't thrill me to much but it could be worse it could have EGR like the big trucks have to now.

I have no regrets about buying this and now my wife wants one.



Duane

 

[ceaman]

I have owned both the 555 and the 600... . The 600 has a lower fuel economy, and seems less responsive to the bomb's. Id give my 04. 5 600 dually to have my 03 555 SRW back.

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

I owned both,...

And I have run exactly the same distance on the 4 laner I get on every morning with both trucks and the 600 gets to the highway sign 5mph faster than did my 555 with both trucks having the same exhaust and intake setup. I'm talking MPH here as I have no way to take ET. The 600 seemed to take longer to get broke in than the 555. I am now getting 2mpgs less with the 600 than I had on the 555. I have 10k and change on the 600 now. The 600 seems to be a tad slower (sotp) from a dead stop than the 555, but once it's rolling I feel the 600 pulls stronger. EGTs are about 100* to 200* hotter on the 600 pulling like loads but then it's engineered to handle it more than the 555 was. Boost is about 5lbs more on the 600. That's a pretty good overview of the differences I've noticed, having owned both.

 

[Pit Bull]

And I have run exactly the same distance on the 4 laner I get on every morning with both trucks and the 600 gets to the highway sign 5mph faster than did my 555 with both trucks having the same exhaust and intake setup. I'm talking MPH here as I have no way to take ET. The 600 seemed to take longer to get broke in than the 555. I am now getting 2mpgs less with the 600 than I had on the 555. I have 10k and change on the 600 now. The 600 seems to be a tad slower (sotp) from a dead stop than the 555, but once it's rolling I feel the 600 pulls stronger. EGTs are about 100* to 200* hotter on the 600 pulling like loads but then it's engineered to handle it more than the 555 was. Boost is about 5lbs more on the 600. That's a pretty good overview of the differences I've noticed, having owned both.

Since you've owned both which would you buy if you had the choice between a used 555 or a new 600? and why?



Thanks

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

The 555 is the "98 12v" of the 3Gs my unbiased imho, of course :-laf



ZIP!

 

[Kennywould]

I own both right now, its hard to compare the two, the 04' is srw, short bed, the 05' is a drw long bed and weighs significantly more. I think the cat has to come off the exhaust, it does seem a little sluggish from the start. I've pulled my skid loader now with both and neither seem to hesitate whatsoever, as far as mileage the 04' (555) does better but theirs 20,000 miles on it, only have 4,400 on the 05', I'm waiting to see how that goes. The 05' weighs in at 9,400 with the tools and fuel, I haven't scaled the 04' but it's probably around 7,000

 

[DPelletier]

I also have both and offer the following for your consideration;



- I like the idea that the 555 doesn't have a catalytic converter and no-one can ever make me put one on or give me grief over exhaust system modifications.

- I believe the third injection event is responsible for a SLIGHT reduction in MPG's. It is very difficult to compare them exactly in my case (different loads, SRW vs. DRW. etc. ) but my best guess is that the 555 gets about 1-3 mpg better than my 600.

- The 600 feels ever so slightly more powerful. It isn't much, but enough to notice if you drive the trucks back to back.

- The 600's seem to have a couple of "teething issues" that the 555's didn't have, such as the low mileage complaints, reflash for hesitation and white smoke and a rumor of a bad batch of injectors in Jan. '04, but all in all, I'd say it was a relatively painless "new modification" release.



Bottom line, I like the 555, but would not hesitate to buy a 600 (or 610 for that matter). I don't think overall dependability has been compromised to any significant degree and although mileage may be slightly less, it is directly proportional to the slight increase in power IMO.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[KYLE4]

The reason why cummins made the 600 is the power wars between the big 3 I'm just curious of how far this will go how much power

 

[jwilliams3]

600 also puts good numbers on the dyno often beating 305/555's with aftermarket turbos.



Mine has put 462/945 with the stocker turbo and 2 boxes.

 

[DPKetchum]

Darn my 03 has only 14k on it and is still NEW to me. I like it a lot. Trying to get it paid off! I usually keep trucks 10 years or so. So I have a ways to go.

 

[DGFoster]

I have a 555,I have driven the 600 and it would not slow me down from buying a nother Dodge with the 610 Cummins.

But I am tickled pink with this 555,-5 out there this morning and she fired right up,and the EZ really brings it to life

 

[Tomeygun]

You can get a new 555 by contacting Tomeygun on this forum. They still have hundreds at St. Louis Auto Auction and at Detroit Auto Auction. They will have full warranty but won't be new as far as getting rebates and such. They were at Vera Cruz Mexico waiting to be shipped out last spring and were at a holding yard for shipping and a salt spray storm hit that holding yard. The dealers know them as Storm Units. These trucks underwent total remediation which is to make brand new anything that reflected anything from the Storm. Most of them had brake lines, fuel lines, calipers, exhaust and such totally replaced, and all the trucks received an alkaline bath on the body and chassis. As I said, they carry full warranty and should be considerably less than a comparable 555 was bought for initially. I have seen many of these trucks and you couldn't tell them from any other truck. Tomeygun can get it for you and he can give you his requirements for the deal.



As far myself I still would get the 600 if I had it to do all over again. There are just too many upgrades that were a minimal costs for the benefits they afforded.

I do not think I will be getting ANY of these trucks



Please see storm truck thread here:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1099018#post1099018

 

[brillmtb]

I just posted differences I noted between my 03 and brothers 05



I dont see a mileage difference to speak of yet and his has a definite power advantage driven back to back not to mention it is quieter. I dont know if it is the multiple injections making it quieter or the insulation added under the hood which I have heard does not do much.

 

[jnelson]

Recent hot shot trip to Morehead KY and back down to Cottage Grove TN I averaged 18. 8 mpg. Not bad for a 7,500 duallydoing 70-75 mph. Not bad for a600.

 

[FATCAT]

OK, here is a "which would you buy" question since we are speculating:

Would you get the new '05 or a "new" 12 valve machanical with a P7100 (an '05 block with the old setup)?

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

What boxes??

600 also puts good numbers on the dyno often beating 305/555's with aftermarket turbos.



Mine has put 462/945 with the stocker turbo and 2 boxes.

What boxes are you running and other mods?