Caterpillar has made its mark on the world by providing top-quality diesel engines and iconic machinery for nearly 100 years. When you go to a construction site and see bright yellow machines, you’re most likely looking at a CAT. Caterpillar is a name that’s synonymous with power and performance for both industrial workers and engine enthusiasts around the world.
If you use CAT equipment, you may find yourself wondering how to improve the performance of your Caterpillar engine. Replacement parts, kits, general maintenance guidelines, and some helpful tips will enable you to get the most power and function out of your Caterpillar machines.
Knowing Your Engine
Before you start trying to figure out how to make improvements, it’s a good idea to understand the general specs and mechanics of your engine. Are you operating with a C15 or a CAT 3116? Increasing the power in your 3406B CAT engine is different from modifying or enhancing the CAT 3126.
With such a wide variety of engine options available, it’s important to note that the focus here is on general tips and advice for getting more performance or horsepower out of your engine. The following maintenance tips are meant to help people get the most out of their CAT engines. Keep in mind that individual engines have different components, and you should take time to understand your specific engine before performing any major work or adjustments.
Upgrading the Exhaust System
It’s easier for your engine to run smoothly and efficiently when the exhaust your engine creates has a place to go. By upgrading your exhaust system, fumes can exit at a faster rate in larger bursts.
An enhanced exhaust system may not improve engine power on its own, but it does provide an opportunity for increasing your engine’s horsepower without overloading the engine. The larger port for exhaust release works to create an ideal balance that allows things to run more smoothly.
Performing Regular Maintenance
One of the best and simplest ways to improve the performance of your Caterpillar engine is to perform regular maintenance and keep a close eye on your machine. Whether you examine the engine yourself or opt to bring in a certified mechanic, regular checkups will help you to catch potential issues early and prevent larger problems from occurring.
Implementing Upgrade Kits
One of the distinct advantages of using a CAT engine is that the company remains one of the most reliable manufacturers of parts and equipment to enhance its own engines. Caterpillar offers a wide range of engine upgrade kits that allow for improvements and enhancements while retaining original manufacturer-approved parts.
Caterpillar upgrade kits offer multiple benefits, including an increase in fuel savings and a reduction in fuel consumption by an average of 5 percent. The more an engine is used, the more these savings add up, meaning the investment for the upgrade kit eventually pays for itself.
A CAT-certified upgrade kit offers potential improvements to the overall performance and power of the engine, such as a higher-capacity load acceptance and better acceleration. These upgrade kits provide a general boost to horsepower without the risk of pushing your engine too hard and overloading it, which can lead to engine damage over time.
Official Caterpillar upgrade kits may reduce overall vibration and noise, offering a smoother experience when utilizing your equipment and vehicles; this makes the kits a solid choice for CAT engines. However, Caterpillar might not offer these kits for older models, and it may be more difficult to find compatible parts. Thankfully, aftermarket parts and overhaul kits, like those available from ATL Diesel, make finding quality engine replacement parts easier than ever.
Utilizing Rebuild Kits
When you don’t have access to official Caterpillar parts, there are several rebuild kits available that allow you to customize, repair, and enhance your engine. One of the distinct advantages of rebuilding your engine is that it will enable you to customize certain aspects to your liking and save money over a fully remanufactured or brand-new engine.
When you’re looking for kits to enhance or rebuild your Caterpillar engine—whether you need gasket replacements, piston rings, or liner kits—different kits will have the parts you need.
In-frame kits allow you to make adjustments and repairs without removing the engine from the frame. These kits are great for regular maintenance and replacing parts that are easy to access. In-frame kits are a cost-effective option to upgrade essential components like rod bearers, pistons, and thrust washers. Interestingly, it’s not uncommon for semi-trucks to travel over one million miles, and these kits are great for replacing engine parts in a truck that may experience a little more wear than other vehicles.
Out-of-frame kits, or overhaul kits, provide one of the best opportunities for increasing performance in your Caterpillar engine since you are removing it from the frame of your vehicle or machine to perform necessary maintenance and replace parts. Overhaul kits often involve replacing the crankshaft and applying far more detailed repairs to your engine.
Upgrading Air Intake
We’ve already talked about increasing and improving the exhaust of your engine, but what goes into your diesel engine is just as important as what comes out of it. When customizing your Caterpillar engine for better performance, you can choose to improve the airflow that goes into your engine.
When you increase the amount of air intake to your engine, the heightened concentration of oxygen in colder and denser air allows for more power as it goes through your engine’s turbocharger.
Denser air and higher intake are beneficial for your engine in terms of enhanced horsepower and improved fuel efficiency, giving you more miles per gallon and a cleaner ride.
Improving your Caterpillar engine and boosting its performance requires regular maintenance, improved parts, and knowing how to customize and adjust the engine under your hood. If you’re looking for C15 6nz CAT engine parts or replacement part kits for different Caterpillar engines, ATL Diesel has what you need.
When you have your engine serial number, ATL Diesel can help you find the ideal combination of parts and kits to improve the performance of your engine. For all your engine upgrade needs, including rebuild kits, replacement parts, helpful articles, and assistance from a team of specialists, contact ATL Diesel.
