Detroit Diesel has been making reliable diesel engines since 1938. The outbreak of WWII meant the country needed a vast supply of everything from tanks to landing craft. A new company called GM Diesel Division answered that call by producing compact and lightweight two stroke engines to meet demand.
In the 1950's, GM Diesel began making on highway engines and haven't looked back since. The company went through a few name changes over the years but has been known as Detroit Diesel since 1988.
The Need for the DD Series Engines
In 1987 Detroit Diesel released the engine of the future, the engine that would become the back bone of their company, the 60 Series. It was the first diesel engine to offer integrated electronic controls as a standard feature in the industry.
The 60 Series adapted over the years to conform to government regulations and to keep up on technology, but after 22 years, the 60 Series needed to take a step back on Detroit Diesels podium. It was now time for Detroit Diesel to retire its work horse that span two decades and develop the next generation of diesel engines.
The DD Series Advantage
Lets start by saying that the DD Series is one of the most technologically advanced diesel engines in the world. We won't get into the finer details of the engine; instead we will stick to the basics for now. The DD series has a gear train that consists of 12 inner twining gears that make the engine more efficient then its predecessors. Here's a list of what the gear train consists of.
- Camshaft intake gear
- Fuel pump gear
- Idler gear #1
- Air compressor gear
- Oil pump gear
- Crankshaft gear
- Idler gear #4
- APT gear
- Idler gear #2
- Idler gear #3
- Idler gear #5
- Camshaft exhaust gear
The name of the game when designing the DD Series was efficiency. To make the new engine more efficient many things had to be done, like an updated E.G.R. (exhaust gas recirculation) system. An updated E.G.R. cooler decreases the exhaust temperature before sending it back through the engine.
The cooler the air going into the engine, the more potential the engine will have to make more power. Another update is the use of Detroit Diesels ACRS (amplified common rail fuel system). Using the ACRS, NOx emissions are drastically reduced without the reduction of fuel mileage or power. This is accomplished by a computer raising the fuel pressure and adjusting the timing to perfect combustion, thus allowing the engines full power potential to be put to use.
Power
The DD 13 is a 12.8 liter, 450 horse power, owner friendly engine. It has the highest fuel economy of all the DD Series engines and still produces 1,650 foot pounds of torque. This engine would be ideal for local deliveries and short trip hauls. If you were looking for an engine that could handle the cross country trips routinely, you may want to go to the next engine in the DD Series family.
The DD 15 is a 14.8 liter, 560 horse power beast. It produces an astonishing 1,850 foot pounds of torque that is powerful enough to meet almost any demand necessary. Cross country trip fully loaded? No problem, this engine can handle the toughest mountains and the flattest plains with a breeze.
The DD 16 is a 15.6 liter, 600 horse power juggernaut. It produces a ground shattering 2,050 foot pounds of torque. Do you haul oversize and over weight loads? If you do, this is the engine of your dreams. This engine would make your over weight load feel like it isn't even there, thanks to the amount of torque it delivers.
Expect to see these three engines around for the next twenty years or so. They are powerful, fuel efficient and come from one of the industries leading companies. Who knows maybe some of their competitors will take a few notes and attempt to play catch up.
Domenic Albanese Jr - Hello! My name is Domenic. I am a 24 year old husband and father of three beautiful daughters. I have always had an interest in mechanis ...
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