Cat in a MCI 9

[jmblake]

I was just wondering if anyone ever put a caterpillar in a 9, I'm not a cummins fan so it would probably be a cat or silver 92. What size cat would fit? I would prefer none electronic engine. Just thinking outloud but I would like a little more power than the old 8V71. Maybe a winter project in a year or two. Jason

[artvonne]

  Interesting project.  Have you thought of just giving the 71 a little boost??

[jmblake]

Yes I thought about it, but you know the 2 stroke mechanics are getting scarice. I'm lucky I have a old 2 stroke guy that loves to come over and work on the old detroit but if something happens 1000 mile from home then your at someone Else's mercy witch is bad enough but with these old detroits make it even worse. Jason

[artvonne]

  I understand the thinking toward the Detroit, but would wonder how a shop would look at a total engine conversion. Now theres no one anywhere to ask a tech question.

  Didnt they put a cat in the later MCI's?

 

[Melbo]

They did put some cummins in some MCI's but I have never heard of a factory Cat installation.

As long as you stay away from the electronics you would be fine with service on the road.

BUT just remember this --- those cat engines are painted GOLD because that is what they make all the part out of.

Melbo

[luvrbus]

MCI used the 3176 and the C-13 Cat in  their buses you see a lot of those from the 90's up I know you don't want a electronic engine but the Cat electronics are trouble free.

As much as love the 8v92's a C-13 in a MCI with the cooling problems with a 8v92 the C-13 would be my choice good fuel mileage, dependable easy to work on and parts are not that bad in price and they will run for ever.

Not much you can work on either on a mechanical Cat engine the injector pump is dealer serviced but that is about the only thing that goes bad on those,the engines are about the same just a different fuel delivery. 

The 425 hp 3406 is a good engine probably the best mechanical engine ever built but a monster in size 15L

good luck

[Melbo]

Clifford

Cool to have you posting here on the MCI board.

Thanks for the update on the CATs

Do you have to get a complete harness to use the electronic engines??

Melbo

[jmblake]

I agree good to see Clifford here, I shouldn't have any cooling problems since I just put the new bigger radiators in. I thought about the 3406 but I figured it would be to large for in the 9. I'm not real familiar with the other size cat engines, as far as electronic I guess I would consider but would I have to get a electronic transmission? I guess its all in how bad I want more HP. Thanks for your comments Jason.

[Bevans]

I would start by measuring how long the engine compartment is and what would happen if the transmission was moved forward.  MCI's are built for an engine that is 4 cylinders long, so lots of people have put the S50 in but I haven't heard of so many in line 6 cylinder engines going into them.  Height is probably fine.  From my discussions cooling should be fine, one gent who has a S50 repower is only using one of the stock MCI radiators.

Brian

[billy6941]

Canadian Greyhound had a number of MCI's with 7 speed standards and CAT engines. The drivers called the CAT engines 3& a quarter. I think that had to do with horsepower.....Bill

[longjohn]

I once drove an old freightliner coe with  a 325cat with the fuel set up and she would run and pull with any 400/450 on  the road( back then 400 was the big dawg, except for the very rare 600 cummins)