Detroit Diesel 12V53

At a tractor show in Northern Michigan. Sign said it was a 1967 and one of four 12V53 twin turbos built as prototypes for the military but never went into production.

[HihorseA]

Don't worry about idling. Detroits are made to run in two positions. Wide open or shut off.

[mitchellw]

That engine has two modes:
• Traffic lights
• I AM AWAITED IN VALHALLA!!!

[littlebrother]

I love that Detroit "V" idle, then the throttle is pulled and the Tazmanian Devil comes out. Dangit that sounds good!

[ldmcnutt]

OMG that is awesome!  I've seen and heard plenty of Jimmy's. But between the 12 cylinder sound, the high rpm of the 53 series, the twin turbos and the open exhaust, that is the sickest sounding diesel EVER!
   

[ebbonemint]

12V53 swap the world, After 3 years I still come back to this video.

[The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

I didn’t know they made a 12V53, that’s awesome! I love the angry sound of 53-series Detroits and the craziness of 12V71s, this is all of that together.

[BigRig]

You can tell just how balanced that engine is being a 12cyl. Throttle response was right there

[Isuck]

That was actually my grandpa's engine that he sold probably 8 years ago, that's my neighbor up there revving it

[merylpelosi]

Those soot-choppers really cut down on the obnoxious racket 53 series two-lobe blower rotors make. This is the first 12V-53 I've ever seen.

[craigmclean]

Ahh, finally someone has posted a video of the fabled "12V-53"!  Wonderfully smooth-sounding at "full song"!

[LinYouToo]

I worked at Detroit diesel Allison in the early 80s at their headquarters in Redford Michigan. What an experience.

[TDIMAXDIESEL]

Wow, thats cool, very rare to see a 12V53 !!! awesome sound !

[Ignignokt]

I have seen / worked on a zillion 53s, but never a 12V53 . :o That was cool !

[Omegadoomship]

This has got to be the best sounding diesel engine hands down. The sound this thing makes is music to my ears. I wish my truck sounded like this

[kyleengelhardt]

what a beauty  I had the special privilege of being able to take several close pictures of this engine on its way to its hopefully final home, a museum.

[KPO]

I learned something today: I did not know there were ANY 12v53s. That would make quite a show engine in a 1965 GMC pickup!

[anthonyxuereb]

These 2 stroke diesel engines are my favorite and I miss their sound on the road.

[jeffc]

I bet that little 2 gal tank was gone by the end of this video lol. That thing sounds wicked. 👍

[wildbill]

Marc, Thank's for posting. It's always good to hear an old Detroit screaming.

[zeros_knives_and_bushcraft.]

This is the most awesome sounding motor of all time!