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Caterpillar swap

74K views 162 replies 27 participants last post by  andrewhpaul  
#1 ·
Does anyone have ANY info on a caterpillar swap into a pickup.. I have an 82 dodge ram so I have ample engine bay space.. Just need info on what motors would be best and advice on how to get started
Any info will help
Thanks
 
#30 ·
Does anyone know the weights of 4 cyl cats such as 3114 and 3204? Looked all over internet and can find just about very spec except for weight.. I found the weight on the 3304 but it's a 7 liter 1500Ibs motor.. If I'm gonna do that I might as well do one of the 6 cylinders.. So if anyone could find the weights for those other 4 cylinders that would be great
 
#36 ·
I've seen a few 3208 swaps, a single perkipillar swap. As far as weight, the marine 210hp is 1500lbs, so ditching the water cooled exhaust and other crap would place it in 6b territory. How good is it? Cat built a 636ci engine to do the same job as a 359ci 6b, that should tell you a lot about the intelligence in the design.

About that 3/4 ton spring bull****, it wont help. Those trucks could barely hold up a 440 or 6b, ball joints and bearings are not up to the task. Upgrade to late model axles, then enjoy having a frame with the rigidity of a pool noodle.
 
#39 ·
always thought 3208s and 3116s had a pretty mixed service life. Reading around them in fact people say to avoid at all costs, a bit like the 8.2 detroit and 555 cummins. They're certainly a 'throw away' engine. If I had to put a Cat in something like what you've got it would be a 3056 without a doubt, a very very nice motor - extremely well built, can be had 130hp (NA), 160, 180 and 210. Has liners, is straight 6 and same dimensions (including mounts) as a perkins 6354 (but that's because it's just the updated version ;))

Is the 3304 just a 3306 with two less cylinders? Cos that's way out of a pickup's league...
 
#50 ·
Andrew,

If you read what I put. Now cat own perkins, all the baby cats are made by perkins. So even if you put a baby cat under the hood, it's a perkins.

If you go down the road of a cat, your heading into a whole world of hurt of a heavy arkward expensive engine. I know damutt is building a vehicle with a cat under the hood and he run into issues with his engine.

It's like another member said, they build a heavy slow engine to do the same work as a lighter 6bt.

I was heading down the road of putting a 6b in my 48 chevy truck because i could get one easily and easy cheapish parts. But i managed to pick up a heavy 6v53 detroit. If i was going to drive the truck every day, i would more than likely stick with the cummins. But because it's not, I am going with the detroits, but 99% of the parts I already have will bolt to my detroit.

I am NOT saying " do not put a cat in your vehicle" as it's your vehicle
. All I am saying is sit down and have a think about what you REALLY want. I bet for the price you pay for a good guaranteed cat engine, you could buy a junka dodge complete with a 6bt with all HD drivetrain. I know i purchased my daf 45 truck complete with the 6b engine for ÂŁ600 ($960) I know I couldn't buy the same rear axle of the daf 45 for less than ÂŁ300 for just the case and brakes.
 
#51 ·
Yea I understand.. But if I'm doin a diesel swap I want it to be somethin different.. Any body can do the ole cummins swap, but nobody has a cat under there hood around here.. And I will never do a Detroit.. I can't stand detroits.. Just my opinion. It's a shame that the small cats are Perkins now tho.. If I were buying a cat I would want it to be a CAT
 
#52 · (Edited)
I have heard it is best to stay away from heui injection.

And I will never do a Detroit.. I can't stand detroits.. Just my opinion. It's a shame that the small cats are Perkins now tho.. If I were buying a cat I would want it to be a CAT
Umm, OK. I think now, most of us have the picture figured out.

Good Luck with your CAT swap. Please start a BUILD thread when you get an engine and vehicle and start putting it all together.
 
#54 ·
What about the little 6 cylinder engine in the D5s? I know it is not a cat made engine, but they seem...alright. Glowplugs and indirect injection. Seemed more like a jap engine. That may be the 6 cylinder perkins that was mentioned earlier.
 
#58 ·
I don't know why everyone's gettin fussy about it I just asked or some info not negative feedback.. There's people who have done it I've seen it on the internet.. But if I did it I wouldn't be Rollin arohnd in a cummins or powerjoke like every other kid around.. People would look and say that's different. If I do end up doing the swap I will take pics and create a thread on it
 
#59 · (Edited)
I don't know why everyone's gettin fussy about it
It has to do with the attitude you are putting out there. Kind of like a person who says I wouldn't own a Ford or Chevy, I'm a Dodge guy--They are the greatest. It is Bullshiite. You are welcome to have a preference but to make those kinds of statements is childish and ignorant.

There is NO such thing as the perfect engine. Many times one engine can be better than another, for a given application. Chances are though that there are many other engines just as capable of performing the same job and giving the same performance.

Some are easier to obtain, cheaper to buy, more economical to modify, capable of higher HP with fewer aftermarket parts. We are all looking to do something different, since the market as it is, doesn't offer what we want from the dealers. We all will also applaude going a step farther and going down a road less travelled. Trying to be different for the sake of being different and ending up with a poorer result though.........:confused: Whoever has been blowing smoke up your *** about CATs being the end all be all of engines has done you a huge disservice. The fact that CAT has used Perkins as well as other engines and just slapped yellow paint and an emblem on them should prove that. Just as Cummins used Onans, GM uses Isuzu, Ford uses International and on and on and on the farther you delve. It has been done since the beginning, it just isn't always profitable for every company to make every size engine so the pick one that meets their durability standards and makes a contract. There are CATS, Deere, Yanmar, Scania, Detroit, Cummins, Isuzu, VW, Kubota, Deutz and countless other diesels that people hold as "The One". But its kind of like religion and all of it's Gods. Take your choice for the one that suits your needs and comfort, but you shouldn't try to belittle others because of their choice, it just shows a total narrow mindedness and lack of information.

If you want to do a CAT swap. More power to you. We will all help. We won't do all your footwork for you though. Do your own research and figure out which engine will fit your vehicle and intended end goals. Ensure you can get the parts you need to do the swap. Buy it and the vehicle and get going. Tell us about your project, show us your pics, etc. We won't decide on an engine for you-its not our money or effort being spent. We also won't do your research and hand it to you on a platter. As cool as the information age is you can generally find your own info in less time than it takes to type out a question and post it and the wait for one of us to read it and respond and then, ALL you'd be getting is one person's opinion--NOT FACTS you ferreted out on our own.
 
#60 ·
Jeez I didn't need a book.. If your gonna bitch about everything then don't reply lol.. It's just preference. And I am a dodge guy, I would love a cummins but everyone has one.. Just cuz I wanna be different doesn't mean you have to rip me for it.. Honestly I don't care about your opinions if your gonna be like that
 
#61 ·
Been reading and thought this would lighten the mood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfHtcUZXljw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

To the OP.
This is a forum for people who like to swap diesels into stuff. We are all kinds, ages, backgrounds ect ect ect. No-one is going to deliberately slam you or your ideas for no reason. The bad part about reading text is its hard to grasp context. Take Twisted71 with a grain of salt as he has been around a while and helped many on this site. He will help you when possible but he is opinionated(and sarcastic) and will tell you when an idea may be bad while others may just ignore you.

Don't just assume people are out to get you it's all in good fun. Also I would recommend the 3126 but I'm not really a CAT fan or experienced with them.

Sent from AutoGuide.com App
 
#62 ·
If you're bent on yellow paint, Id vote for a Perkapillar too. Ive seen and heard good things about them - maybe the 4T.236. Paint it yellow, slap on the "Caterpillar" decals and your good to go. It would be a legitimate CAT too (well, if you bought it after 1996 anyway :D ). Pop the hood and 9.5 outa 10 guys won't recognize it's "P" DNA anyway. Now if you really want sumthin different, I believe a Fairbanks Morse will fit in there with just 2" lift and some 1 ton springs ;) http://thumbsnap.com/s/dTXciXy6.jpg