If you think that it is an easy task to choose the top 10 diesel engines, well, to put it kindly, you're wrong. There have been so many great diesel engines introduced throughout the years that this list was a little more difficult than we anticipated.
This list is consisted of automobile engines, boat engines, truck engines and gensets which meant hours of consideration. Of course, we cannot place every diesel engine ever made in this list, but we are open for suggestions. Nevertheless, let`s start the countdown:
Number 10 – CUMMINS B-SERIES: This 5.9 liter, 6-cylinder straight engine produces 325 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque, with no modifications! This engine was the first one that made the idea of a diesel pick-up truck possible.
Number 9 – INTERNATIONAL DT466: The engine that most medium-duty trucks use. This is a massive 7.3 liter 6-cylinder straight which is able to produce 1425 pound-feet of torque. It is made to last!
Number 8 – WARTSILA-SULZER RTA96-C: This is literally a monster which is made to set container ships in motion. It is 25,480 liter 14-cylinder straight engine amplified by a turbo and delivers a staggering 108,902 horsepower and immense 5,608,312 pound-feet of torque!
Number 7 – CATERPILLAR C12 SUPER TRUCK RACING ENGINE: This is the engine that won several championships for Caterpillar. It is 12.0 liter 6-cylinder straight engine amplified by a twin-turbo system and can deliver 1,400 horsepower and 3,400 pound-feet of torque! Also it reaches 100 mph in an amazing 7.9 seconds!
Number 6 – DURAMAX: The engine that will bring GM (slowly but surely) to the top of the pedestal in the diesel war. It is a 6.6 liter V8 engine that delivers 360 horsepower as well as 650 pound-feet of torque. Also, it was first introduced in 2001 as Isuzu-Duramax.
Number 5 – INTERNATIONAL 7.3 POWER STROKE: Another participant in the aforementioned “diesel engine war“. Two traits that make this engine what really is are the durability and reliability. It is a 7.3 liter V8 engine which delivers 250 horsepower and 525 pound-feet of torque.
Number 4 -- MTU 16V-400: If you were considering to purchase a new engine for your boat, the MTU 16V-400 cannot be a wrong choice. This 6.5 liter 16-cylinder V-style engine is able to deliver 3,600 horsepower. Sadly, the amount of torque is unknown due to the fact that its manufacturer is afraid to unveil it!
Number 3 – VW 5.0 liter V10 TDI: Despite the carbon emission scandal in which the German automaker was involved in, it wouldn`t have been fair for the VW if it was excluded from this list. This 5.0 liter V10 turbo diesel engine produces 310 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque which makes a 5,000 pounds SUV to go from 0 to 60 faster than 8 seconds!
Number 2 – DETROIT DIESEL SERIES 60: Introduced in 1987, the Detroit Diesel Series 60 showed everyone how a fully integrated heavy duty diesel engine should look like. Since the year 1987 the (12.7 liter to 14.0 liter) 6-cylinder straight engine proudly sets in motion numerous heavy duty vehicles. It produces 515 horsepower and a staggering 1,650 pound-feet of torque.
Number 1 – RUDOLF DIESEL`S FIRST WORKING ENGINE: It may look odd to you, but this list would not have been possible to make without the invention of this engine. This is a huge 60.0 liter, single cylinder engine that produces just 20 horsepower. Also, this was the first engine that could run on biodiesel. Sadly, Rudolf Diesel didn`t live to see his creation running, however without his invention, where would any of us be today?
*Source: musclecarzone.com