Attention: TDR Forum Junkies I visited the CMEP in Columbus last week and was given a marvelous tour by HR. What a factory! I was amazed and I am now even more proud to be an owner of this product.
Cummins has the right attitude, the right people and the right facilities. I strongly recommed a visit if you go anywhere near Columbus, Indiana.
I picked up a few "tidbits" while there and later while drinking beer with folks that I will not identify. Among these are:
1) They built and delivered 19,000 engines last month (june).
2) their failure rate is less than {deleted} read: almost non-existant!
3) there are only about 200 people that work at this factory of which almost half are women (many of those were quite cute!)
4) Complete inventory turnover every 40Hrs (they may have said 44 hrs, regardless, it was less than two days).
Changes for '05:
1) No more lift pump. It will be replaced by a in-tank pump.
2) the turbo gets a new oil bath for the bearing housing
3) The TPS (whatever that is) will be removed from the auto-transmission
4) ECM, wiring harness and software
5) quality improvement package on fuel pump
6) production of '05 trucks at Saltillo starts July 19
'05 HP/Torque numbers are being keep TOP SECRET. WOrd is that it will be hard for Ford and Chevy to match.
There is speculation that many of the problems that are occuring with the new FORD I/H emgine is a result of the "power race". (The Ford engine is said to have gone from a estimated overhaul at 250K miles to now at only 175K miles... . of course, this is only a rumour and I admit, this tidbit came from a "car dealer")
On a sad note, I was told that we are probably in the last of the glory days for our engines. EPA emissions standards are becoming so tight that they must eventually ruin our beautiful powerplant as we know it. This may not be in the not too distant future (say '07 or '08 even... . ).
I asked lots of questions and got a lot of feedback at the factory and over some beers later. For example: It is "rumoured" that the current engine easily produces 100 additional Lb-Ft of torque but D-C has Cummins detune the engine for the '04 drivetrain for fear of early wear/fatique/failure, etc - even on the 6speed manual... .
I was told that the #1 way to encrease performance: "get rid of the torque converter". I'm glad I got the 6spd... .
I asked about ... ... ..... {specific aftermarket products deleted for fear of lawyers}... ... ... ... and even asked for speculation about what might result if the "cat fell off". (I was especially curious about the catalytic converter on my 04. 5. It was said to produce very little restriction and that I would gain almost nothing if it "fell off". Regarding, the OEM muffler, it was said that I would gain very little if anything there either. BTW, there are up to four fueling events and none are dependent on or for the benefit of the cat).
I was answered, for the most part, by people who have, as a friend said, " written more books than most people have ever read". (note: These were books on diesel engineering etc. : )
A summary of their answers could be as follows: For the average buyer (read: most people), it is not a good idea to "fool" with these engines as they come from the factory. Most of the stuff I asked about was said to provide little or no practical benefit and was akin to "quackery".
Of course, I do not speak for Cummins. These were informal and unofficial comments in answer to informal and unofficial questions from a somewhat sober CTD owner. They are not to be seen here as in anyway an official Cummins company policy or position. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Void where prohibited. etc, ad nauseum.....
For my part, I certainly claim no expert status nor special knowledge of ANYTHING on God's green earth.
In summary: Please make of point of visiting the Cummins Mid Engine Plant (CMEP) in Columbus, OH if you get anywhere near.
Drive your CTD of whatever vintage with the knowledge that the performance and reliability we love in our engines is designed and built-in (read: not an accident).
And finally, know that Ford and Chevy haven't got a prayer of ever catching the folks at the Big C.
-Takomax
Cummins has the right attitude, the right people and the right facilities. I strongly recommed a visit if you go anywhere near Columbus, Indiana.
I picked up a few "tidbits" while there and later while drinking beer with folks that I will not identify. Among these are:
1) They built and delivered 19,000 engines last month (june).
2) their failure rate is less than {deleted} read: almost non-existant!
3) there are only about 200 people that work at this factory of which almost half are women (many of those were quite cute!)
4) Complete inventory turnover every 40Hrs (they may have said 44 hrs, regardless, it was less than two days).
Changes for '05:
1) No more lift pump. It will be replaced by a in-tank pump.
2) the turbo gets a new oil bath for the bearing housing
3) The TPS (whatever that is) will be removed from the auto-transmission
4) ECM, wiring harness and software
5) quality improvement package on fuel pump
6) production of '05 trucks at Saltillo starts July 19
'05 HP/Torque numbers are being keep TOP SECRET. WOrd is that it will be hard for Ford and Chevy to match.
There is speculation that many of the problems that are occuring with the new FORD I/H emgine is a result of the "power race". (The Ford engine is said to have gone from a estimated overhaul at 250K miles to now at only 175K miles... . of course, this is only a rumour and I admit, this tidbit came from a "car dealer")
On a sad note, I was told that we are probably in the last of the glory days for our engines. EPA emissions standards are becoming so tight that they must eventually ruin our beautiful powerplant as we know it. This may not be in the not too distant future (say '07 or '08 even... . ).
I asked lots of questions and got a lot of feedback at the factory and over some beers later. For example: It is "rumoured" that the current engine easily produces 100 additional Lb-Ft of torque but D-C has Cummins detune the engine for the '04 drivetrain for fear of early wear/fatique/failure, etc - even on the 6speed manual... .
I was told that the #1 way to encrease performance: "get rid of the torque converter". I'm glad I got the 6spd... .
I asked about ... ... ..... {specific aftermarket products deleted for fear of lawyers}... ... ... ... and even asked for speculation about what might result if the "cat fell off". (I was especially curious about the catalytic converter on my 04. 5. It was said to produce very little restriction and that I would gain almost nothing if it "fell off". Regarding, the OEM muffler, it was said that I would gain very little if anything there either. BTW, there are up to four fueling events and none are dependent on or for the benefit of the cat).
I was answered, for the most part, by people who have, as a friend said, " written more books than most people have ever read". (note: These were books on diesel engineering etc. : )
A summary of their answers could be as follows: For the average buyer (read: most people), it is not a good idea to "fool" with these engines as they come from the factory. Most of the stuff I asked about was said to provide little or no practical benefit and was akin to "quackery".
Of course, I do not speak for Cummins. These were informal and unofficial comments in answer to informal and unofficial questions from a somewhat sober CTD owner. They are not to be seen here as in anyway an official Cummins company policy or position. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Void where prohibited. etc, ad nauseum.....
For my part, I certainly claim no expert status nor special knowledge of ANYTHING on God's green earth.
In summary: Please make of point of visiting the Cummins Mid Engine Plant (CMEP) in Columbus, OH if you get anywhere near.
Drive your CTD of whatever vintage with the knowledge that the performance and reliability we love in our engines is designed and built-in (read: not an accident).
And finally, know that Ford and Chevy haven't got a prayer of ever catching the folks at the Big C.
-Takomax
