cat power adder

[Bgchuby01]

CAT 3126E ( 2001-2005 ) Caterpillar Diesel Performance Power Chips 3Way SwitchStock/15%HP/30%HP LIFE TIME WARRANTY

can anyone tell me if this company is any good. I have a new engine and would not like to explode it.

[Chris]

I've done power upgrades on more than a few 3126's. To go from the 210 hp engine, it's a simple injectors/turbo/reflash. That'll get you 30 hp and about 200 more in torque. Beyond that, it's internals. To get to the 300/330 range it's pistons/damper/clutch & fan/radiator, etc., plus the above. To go beyond that, you're into the marine componentry. And you'd be on your own to get an even bigger radiator and oil cooler in there. Beyond 330 horse, lifespan drops incredibly fast.

The 3126 is not a heavy-duty engine by any stretch. At stock power ratings you'll get good life out of them, but they're just not robust enough to push hard. You can get them to the 400 horse mark, but I wouldn't want the tradeoff of reduced lifespan.

Which engine are you attempting to uprate?

P.S. CAT parts are outrageously expensive. The 210 to 250 uprates cost me about 3 grand having my techs do them. I priced the 300/330- with internal labor it would be over 10 grand.

[Bgchuby01]

mine is a 2001 275hp, cat said they can go up to 300 for 500 dollars with a flash, I was curious if one of these poweradders would work

[Chris]

Check with the CAT dealer on specifics. They may be able to reflash and get you there and you still have CAT dealer support. If they tell you that you need engine internals, etc., that tells you they don't think more boost/fuel is a good idea.

A flash is an hour labor. Not $500.

Keep in mind that a diesel is a simple device. The only thing controlled is fuel. More fuel equals more exhaust gas equals more boost equals more power.

[Tempest38]

Not to disrupt your thread but have any knowledge on a 210hp 3116 Electronic cat? Info on these is hard to find or I wouldn't cut in here? Thanks!

[Bgchuby01]

nothing wrong with a 3116 what is it in and what do you need to know

[Tempest38]

It's in a C6500 crewcab with a 6 speed and 3:32? gears. It's only 210 or 215hp and wondering how to give it a little more pep without the dealers 2300.00 mods. Thanks.

[Bgchuby01]

go direct to cat and bring your engine serial number. they can recommend the different amounts of Hp that you can add. Also you may want to look into changing those rear gears. go maybe to a 3:73 or 4:11. It also depends on your tire size are they 255 or 295 lowpro. from the pic they look llike a 22.5 wheel

[Tempest38]

I talked to a friend who is a mechanic at my local areas largest Cat shop when I last had it serviced. All they said was the 2300.00 65hp upgrade. I have heard of some kind of "wire harness" upgrade but haven't heard back from them... I did change it over to 22.5's but haven't decided on tire size (height) yet. Put used ones on it 'til spring. The 22.5's just moved everything around the rpm range and helped mpg and increased top end by 9.6 mph.

[Chris]

3116 is non-electronic. The 3126 is the electronic motor. Most likely it needs bigger injectors and a larger turbo to make the power. On the 3126, you need to do pistons, fan, balencer, etc to get max increase from 210 horse.

Ignore the HP rating. That 65 horsepower probably cones with about 250+ ft/lbs of torque.

[Bgchuby01]

by going from 19.5; to 22.5 wheels you increased your tire height which in turnn killed your rear gear. If you stay with the 22.5 wheels then go to the 255/70 tires which are used on a large amount of semi trailers. That is the shortest tire for the wheel to help with the gearing.

[Tempest38]

Cat guys says it's a 3116E electronic is all I know....
The tires didn't hurt the power just moved it in the RPM range. Basically the tire difference worked out where it moved everything one gear down. Problem was it didn't have much power with short tires either. THANKS for all the info, I Do Appreciate It! Don

[Chris]

3116 is mechanical injection. 3126A came out in late 96 and was in alot of 97-98 trucks, They replaced that with the 3126E.