Community Forums

mrjimbo · 07-02-2012, 09:10 PM

So I bought a 1998 National Tradewinds with a Cat 3126B which I thought was a 300hp engine, but now I've read on here and other places about 275hp engine in that year and model. How can I find out what mine is. It doesn't say anywhere that I've seen. I can find the serial number of the engine, but where do I go to find it's specs?

phays · 07-02-2012, 09:30 PM

If you rig is built on a Freightliner chassis, call freightliner with your VIN and they can tell what engine you have. You could also call CAT with the engine serial # and they can tell. Or, go to a CAT service facility with your serial number and they can look it up for you. CAT can also tell you things like torque and tubo boost pressure at the time they built the engine. I would also want to know max rpm.

I had a 3126E 300hp in my previous MH and max rpm was 2400 and all the 3126E's, regardless of hp, had the same max rpm. Max torque was either 800 or 860 lb-ft at 1440 rpm. The 3126E is an electronic engine. I don't know if the 'B' is.

SVTotem · 07-02-2012, 09:30 PM

Call the CAT RV Hotline and give them the serial number of your engine. The can give you the data for your specific engine.

(877) 777-3126

Theberrys · 07-02-2012, 09:32 PM

3126B means 312 HP and 6 cylinders.
Dick

randco · 07-03-2012, 05:13 AM

I have a CAT 3126E on a Freightliner chassis. It is 330 HP @ 2400 rpm and 860 lb-ft at 1,440 rpm

Steve Ownby · 07-03-2012, 08:21 AM

It is very year dependent. I had a '97 Winnebago on a Freightliner chassis with the 3126 electronic engine and it was 275 hp and 800 torque. I suspect that will be the same for you. As was suggested, you can call Freightliner with your engine serial number for all the info. The 3126 evolved through many ratings until it became the C7. The idea that 3126 means 312 hp with 6 cyl. is not correct and never was.

mrjimbo · 07-03-2012, 08:43 AM

OK while looking for the serial number, I found a tag on top the valve cover near the front of the engine "rear of the RV" that states I have 300HP

It also has some other data listed. One I found interesting was ELE 10,007.
I assume this means Elevation. Does this mean I shouldn't go over that, or is that the MAX elevation it can make it's rated power to? Above that it would lose power?

jimcumminsw · 07-03-2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjimbo

OK while looking for the serial number, I found a tag on top the valve cover near the front of the engine "rear of the RV" that states I have 300HP

It also has some other data listed. One I found interesting was ELE 10,007.
I assume this means Elevation. Does this mean I shouldn't go over that, or is that the MAX elevation it can make it's rated power to? Above that it would lose power?

That is the elevation at which the engine will start to de-rate and lose horsepower. Cat has always specified an elevation at were their engine will de-rate and lose horsepower. Caterpillar was rating their engines this way since the sixties when I started working at Cat until I retired in 2009.
Jim W.

stuhly · 07-03-2012, 09:33 AM

All engines lose HP as elevation increases. An engines rated HP is at sea level. An engine that is turboed or supercharged will maintain its rated HP to a given altitude, 10,000 to 12,000. At that point the HP will start to decrease as altitude goes up.

Skip426 · 07-14-2012, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrjimbo

OK while looking for the serial number, I found a tag on top the valve cover near the front of the engine "rear of the RV" that states I have 300HP

It also has some other data listed. One I found interesting was ELE 10,007.
I assume this means Elevation. Does this mean I shouldn't go over that, or is that the MAX elevation it can make it's rated power to? Above that it would lose power?

Above that altitude the turbo, and intake system will not flow enough air , due to the low density, to produce the same power as below. This can be overcome with larger turbos and intake, larger valves $$$$