Cummins vs CAT vs Detroit Diesel — Who REALLY Dominated Trucking?

Comments · 562

• JE

  @jeramiahgainey3177 · 4 months ago

  I retired 2 yrs ago after 50 yrs of truckin. I've driven trucks with all 3 makes of engines. The Detroit would rev the highest and quickly, I guess you could say it was the most spirited enabling quick shifting just as fast as you could shift it. That was fun. The older Cat had great torque down low, I mean you could lug it down to 1000 rpm and it would still pull. The newer Cat 3406E was refined power that was constant to the top of the rpm range. Really a sweet engine. The Cummins was simply an all around good engine in every way. I had the Big Cam 400 in an International Eagle with a 13 over and that SOB would walk the dog. I also had the revered Red Top N14 rated at 525hp and it pulled strong all the way to 2150 and would hold it on the the hills. The 600 Cummins had so much torque they had to detune it because transmissions couldn't handle it and it was bending the frame. The 14 Liter Series 60 had excellent power on top end. I can't pick one as being the best because all the shined in their own way and neither of the three were a disappointment. I was pulling double belly's with a Pete that had the C15 rated at 550hp with an 18sp and 390 gears and grossing 130,000 lbs when health problems forced me into retirement. I'm now on oxygen and can't drive anymore. I sure do miss it 😢

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• JO

  @jonathanwyble4227 · 4 months ago

  The Detroit 2-stroke makes a really unique sound, but the 3406 engines also have their own padticular sound signature.

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• JA

  @JasonPlank-k3x · 5 months ago

  Bullshit,nowadays engines will not keep up with old engines unless the emissions are deleted

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• MA

  @maverick1367 · 5 months ago

  Which ever all 3 are amazing engine

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• BE

  @bernardoesquivel8317 · 5 months ago

  3406 cat is the best engine for me. I’m still got one and I don’t want it letting go.

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• 1V

  @1VaDude · 5 months ago

  I had the privilege of driving a spare truck with a Cat 3406 a few times.  That thing would move!

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• NI

  @niltonlittieri4323 · 4 weeks ago

  pra mim  os jimmi gritante simplesmente  fizeram a história   by  GM

• ST

  @SteinerFab1357 · 4 months ago

  Gov't has FUCKED UP trucking, Government screws up everything it touches !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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• RO

  @robertalbach7501 · 4 months ago

  I ran Cummins in the 70’s, switched over to a Caterpillar 3406A then 3406C, (2 Million miles). Back to Cummins in 2014, 800,000 miles. Loved them all. Preferred my 3406C Powerhouse 💪💪💪

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• EX

  @ExplainItSimply6 · 1 month ago

  The 3406E and the 6NZ C-15 became icons for drivers tackling tough mountain passes, delivering unbeatable torque and driver prestige.

• ID

  @idessaoutlaw · 2 months ago (edited)

  Still rolling my 1993 Peterbilt 379 3406b, 1999 AM General M931 Cummins N14, and 1986 GMC General 400 Big Cam Cummins 🍷😎👌

  2

• VA

  @VanishedMachinesUSA · 1 month ago

  This content breakdown from to covering Roger Penske and the Series 60 revolution is pure gold! The way you highlight how electronics transformed diesel trucking is top-tier storytelling. Which legendary engine truly dominated your personal hauling days—the Big Cam, 3406E, or Series 60?

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