The BEST Diesel Engines of All Time! (CAT, Detroit Diesel, Cummins, Mack)

Which diesel truck engines have been the best of all time? What was the best truck engine in history?!

In this video, Liam dives into one of the most controversial topics in the trucking industry... The best diesel engines of all time!

Truck Engines Discussed:
1. CAT 3406E
2. CAT 3408
3. CAT C15
4. CAT C16
5. Mack E7
6. Detroit DD15
7. Detroit Diesel Series 60
8. Cummins Big Cam

If you thought we missed any engines that deserved to be on this list, let us know in the comments!

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[anthonionesbitt]

Cat 3406E/C15, Detroit series 60, Cummins Big Cam/N14

[seano]

I’m at 1.3 mil on my dd15 untouched . And it’s still rolling strong

[truckingrcaddict]

I ran a 2007 s-60 14L Detroit to 1.1 million miles tuned to 650HP in a otr freightliner Columbia. I was able to get consistent 7.95 mpg calculated tank to tank. And without having to do a in frame on it. It was the best truck I ever ran

[mihybrid]

Nobody will ever talk me out of my Cummins 600 Signature Series. Over 2 million miles on it and still walks the dog on everything I've come across pulling hills at 120, 000 + lbs. Fuel milage is consistent and after 21 years has never had a mechanical issue. The Detroit 60 Series is also a good engine. Good fuel milage and dependable mechanically. Kitty Cats are great engines mechanically with lots of power. Like the Cummins, a little more expensive to work on when they need it. Cats one big downfall was always fuel mileage. In normal applications 5.5 to 6 mpg were fantastic for a Cat engine. I'm just not familiar with. They make a great Dump Truck, but have only driven one Mack Conventional Tractor and hated it.

[seedycanuck]

My friend is a sales manager for Inland Kenworth. They won a contract for 25 tractors for Siberia. NO electronic engines allowed. Bought T800 with no engine and trans. Sourced 3406 and 18 speed. That tells you everything you need to know. If you want it to work, and be able to repair it, in hostile environments - nothing else comes close.

[scottwhitehead]

I agree with a lot of these, but you forgot to mention the Detroit 2-stroke engines. In their time, they were beasts and still are.

[gary]

Cat 3406B and DD Series 60. I ran a 14 liter Series 60 to just under 1.7 million miles without an overhaul. Not even an in-frame or bearing replacement. It was still running great and had good oil pressure when I retired and sold the truck, a 2007 Freightliner.

[timothywood]

62, 000 hours on my Detroit 8-92 marine engine. Had 8.2cta m3 Cummins that pooped out at 7500 hours.The 8-92 out lived Cats and John Deer’s, Volvo’s.They were ALL lucky to get in the 30 thousand hour bracket.

[epicfishingadventure]

12.7L 60 series Detroit all day baby!!

[edmunger]

The only two that I would ever own again are the Detroit Diesel series 60 12.7 liter and the Cummins N 14, my 93 freightliner with the N14 was still running strong with 1.4. million miles when I sold it and my 99 freightliner with the series 60 12.7 liter went 1.8 million miles before I had it overhauled and then drove it 7 more years until I retired in 2022, after a few drive train upgrades it was turning 9.2 average miles per gallon.

[scotthowell]

You failed to mention the Cat 1693. Pretty much the predecessor of the 3406. They seemed to never wear out.

[aaronsanborn]

You can't beat a Caterpillar period. I've run 3406B, C and E models along with the C12 and C15...Never had any issues with them

[rockbottomtransport]

I’ve got a 3406e in my ‘96 flat top and absolutely love it. My next choice would have been a red top N-14, which I didn’t see explained in this video. Was a little surprised by that! Thanks for sharing your video

[johac]

Cummins KT600, was great to see the stretched hood, a engine before it's time.

[cargotoolshop]

I'm running a 60 series and after wrenching on it I'm understanding why it's such a good engine, fuel mileage, easy to work on

[debi]

Mack E7 and E6 should be on the list. Great trouble-free engines.

[jamieshields]

Interesting choice of engines, here in Australia I hear Mack V8, International from Germany Neuss D358 n 466 n N14 especially in farm machinery with over 20, 000 hrs.

[jobanyparedes]

I'm still a rookie with almost a year and I see you guys talking about engines and I'm like this is going to take a while to read y'all. It's great to see alot of knowledge in one place.

[TheSlimJim]

The only engine missed was the Navistar DT466. Great reliable Medium Duty engine that always seems to get missed.

[sonicycles]

The K19 used to be running in the Peterbilts when diesel fuel was cheap & the Mack E9 engine another pulling beast