duramax vs CAT 3208

[Craig M]

How do you all think the good old Caterpillar 3208 V-8 diesel compares to the Duramax. The Cat has good torque. The Duramax gets better mileage. Both have an Allison auto transmision. The 3208 can be had for a few pennies less that a Duramax. Thoughts and comments appreciated.

[madmatt]

Are you considering a swap? the 3208 is a good dependable engine w/ a ton of HP potenial, even more so then the duramax. I did a s/b chevy to a 3116 conversion in my 70' c10 and it's a monster. it's also a lot lighter then the 3208, and the same allison will work behind either Cat.

[More Power]

Driveability would be one consideration. The Cat was designed for commercial applications - where the Duramax was designed for consumers. This means the powerbands are quite different, and fit would likely be easier in a pickup truck with the Duramax.

The Duramax is listed as weighing 835-lbs, which is within a few pounds of a dressed 6.5TD.

MP

[Craig M]

More Power

Yes the Duramax is the better engine for the combination of towing and "normal" driving. 3208 is designed more for a loaded truck, and will suffer some when driving empty. I know on the older Dodge/Cummins, many drivers state that their mileage is not much different loaded or empty. I have other vehicles for day to day driving so would use the 3208 just for pulling a 5th wheel travel trailer or heavy equipment trailer mostly. Can get a 3208 much cheaper than a Duramax. Eventually the increased mileage of the Duramax might pencil out better, but the initial investment and time for payback concern me.

[tanker]

Craig, I'm with More Power on the driveability of the 3208. I've driven many 3208's in years past and it is a good engine, now discontinued (I think :rolleyes: ), plus weight and fit would concern me. I think a 5.9 Cum-a-long with mechanical injection would be a nice choice, plenty of parts, and easier fit, nice power and torque.
But if you do use the Cat, please post some pics and a write up. This would be a rare swap.
Good luck which ever way you go. smile.gif

[TJ]

Yea, but you just can't quite beat CAT diesel power. I'd love to see a nasty yellow beast in a GMC truck with a nice little Caterpillar logo on the side. Then, we would win the diesel war.

[madmatt]

The 3116 went in my 70' C10 real easy and the Allison went in even more effortlessly. I used a Pro Fab drop box to put it to the One ton axles through custom driveshafts. the project has been run but since then put on the back burner.

[Craig M]

Hey madmatt, the 3116 is probably a nice engine, kinda new for Cat so harder to get. The 3208 has been around for many years. No computer stuff and readily available.

[madmatt]

the 3116 has been around since the early 90's and can be had in running condition from truck salvage yards for about $2k. you may also find a good allison to go behind it in the same truck. Also the MUI 3116 is all mechanical w/ an electric shut off solenoid thats pretty basic. aside from mounting, plumbing, and drivetrain all you have to do is wire is the starter and the shutoff solenoid and fabricate a throttle linkage.

[Craig M]

90's is new for me. Prime mover for most of the last years has been my 1956 Mack COE tractor. Upgraded to "new" tractor a few years ago, 1973 GMC Astro 95, with 8V72 and 10 speed Roadranger(vs 2 stick 15 speed in the Mack (5x3 triplex)). Have seen the 3116 in adds for medium size trucks, just have no personel experience with them.

[madmatt]

if you've ever run the rack and set the govenor(?) on that 2 stroke Detroit you can surely figure out the 3116. It does require some speciel tools though.

[tanker]

The 3116 went electronic and became the 3126, and then it has become the ACERT model C7, but in the medium duty's the International, Mercedes and Cummins are giving Cat a run for their money. Yes it seems its all about money. Cat was the most poular for years in medium duty, but now they have some stiff competetion. ;)

[madmatt]

the 3116 became HEUI before the 3126 was released. there were three models of the 3126(the a,b and E) before it was replaced w/ the problem prone C7. International still leads the way in medium duty engine sales in my area but CAT is a close second(and closing) the last time I saw the numbers.