Horsepower wars

[FFutch]

I know we all don't agree with the design and obvious flaws with the other brand diesels,but competition is always good. I used to work at the local K. W. dealer and I can remember just a few years ago when cats 425 was big news. Not to be outdone Cummins soon came out with the N-14-450and 475s. Then Cat said "O. K. ,how about 500". To which Cummins said 525. Cat 550. Then Cummins came out with a totally new designed "Signature-600". Cat also came out with their 600. The whole time Eaton Fuller was pulling their hair out trying to keep up with all this monstrous torque(I think it's up to 2050Lb. ft now). The only transmission you could get behind these monsters was an 18 speed. And the clutches had to be beefed up too,the price also doubled. Last I heard Cummins and Cat had a700 in the wings but no drivetrain could withstand the 2100-2200 Lb. ft. But eaton-fuller is working on it. So just remember guys competition=MORE POWER . Doug

 

[Chris N5CWM]

Yes!

My thoughts exactly.



Sadly the price of progress is going to get

higher and higher, and not because of more HP.

The new emissions laws are to blame.



I just hope the new emissions laws don't impact

the diesel engine manufacturers in such a way

that we pay more because of emissions yet

get less HP out of the next generation of

diesels. Kind of like what the gassers went thru

in the 1970's.



-Chris

 

[chuck3]

I remember those days Chris, I hope that doesn't happen.

 

[Matt S]

I don't see that happening to the diesel industry. The late 70's and early 80's were just the automakers excuse for lack of innovation. I think the emissions are the best thing that could happen to the industry. Not that emission testing is on my list of good things to do. Look at the new Camaro. 345hp and 25 mpg. You would never see that in the 70's out of a 350. Now don't say the the horsepower is lower because they changed the way they measure it. Now to the diesel industry. I think cat's have no business being on a diesel. Lack of innovation. However, the electronics give better mpg and power. My 1990 was the last full year without emissions. Emissions started in 1991. 5 with the intercooler/etc. Today they are putting down 245 hp stock compared to my 160 hp stock. This is a good thing for good companies.

 

[Champane Flight]

Emission laws suck......

Sorry guys,but I feel that emission laws in general suck. I have a old Triumph Spitfire 79. I sold it to some kids who lived in California Springs CO. They went down to get it emission tested. Of course it flunked because none of the original smog crap was still on it. We gave them their money back.



At this point I got interested in the emission testing requirments for Colo front range. So I obtained a copy of them off the internet. They are a JOKE. They are put in place to make everyone go out and buy a new car every three years PERIOD!!!!!They have nothing to do with emissions. All they do is give some joker with a exhaust gas analyzer permission to rip you off!At one point in the laws it says if you spend $350. 00 or more trying to get a pre-1985 car into standards and it still isn,t,you automaticaly pass!They don't care anything about emissions!Its all about money PERIOD!Even if your car is putting out below level emissions,if it does not have original equipment on it,it flunks... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .....



If (I know it will come sooner or later)they bring testing to our part of the state,I will go back to a horse and buggy!Let em step in road apples!