Truck and Semi truck engines have evolved and come a long way. Among many engine manufacturers, Paccar and Cummins stand out as two of the most renowned brands. Both of these brands make world-class engines and have business around the world.
Cummins engines are usually well accepted among people as the better engine. Paccar has faced many issues over the years concerning emission equipment. Cummins offers more pulling power. On the other hand, Paccar is an economy-class engine.
Looking at the rpm, torque, and cost-to-efficiency ratio, you should choose the machine that suits you best. It’s also a good idea to learn about their engine variations.
Paccar Engine Overview
Paccar Incorporated was established in 1905. It prides itself as a global leader in truck parts manufacturing, with excellent customer service and performance warranty.
It’s implausible that you aren’t aware of their truck lineups, which are the most popular in the USA. The Peterbilt and Mack trucks feature Paccar’s proprietary powertrains. This includes axles, gearboxes, and transfer cases like NP231 or 241, which are found in all of its heavy-duty vehicles.
There are currently four types of Paccar engines available in the market. Those would be the PX-7, PX-9, MX-11, and MX-13.
PX-7
The PX-7 truck engine is the simplest of the four. It lacks power compared to the rest, but it covers up for its lack of pure energy with longevity and reliability.
PX-9
The PX-9, the PX-7’s powerful sibling, is marketed primarily for the power-to-weight balance. Its eleven models vary in horsepower between 260 and 450, with max torque at equivalent rotations per minute anywhere between 720 and 1250 (RPM).
The better variations of the PX-9 are suited for heavy-duty loads, even if the truck is medium-duty. This is because of some premium features like oil filtration bypassing.
MX-11
The MX-11 is a superb option for a professional. It offers distant monitoring that reduces interruption at every stage of the journey.
This magnificent machine assists those parts in control of identifying issues before they become significant ones. If this doesn’t reassure you, PACCAR offers extended service plans and a two-year, 250,000-mile warranty for this engine.
MX-11’s routine maintenance is considerably more complex because of the variety of uses. But for the other PX variations, the maintenance is more frequent.
MX-13
This is the engine for you if you dislike engine shopping. Even though the guarantee on this only covers two years and two hundred fifty thousand miles, Paccar has verified it to have a B10 serviceability of one million miles.
This indicates a 90% probability the engine will last for more than 300 trips throughout the American continent before needing a complete revamp. Additionally, it has the distant monitoring featured in the MX-11 to improve engine longevity.
Paccar Engine Pros And Cons
Paccar engines are one of the oldest automobile part manufacturing industries. They are renowned for their affordability and warranty. They had prior issues with emissions, but they are largely fixed now.
Pros
- Has distant monitoring to prevent serious issues
- Durable and comes with two years warranty
- Sustained power generation and fuel consumption
- Tried out in real-world simulations before the release
Cons
- Not available for many truck variations like Freightliner and International.
- Energy emission issues
- Needs to use the catalytic converter to solve sound issues.
- Sometimes etorque problems occur.
Paccar remains one of the premium engine choices, especially on the technological front. The advancements in their engine quality are genuinely fascinating.
Using simulations to test how they will perform after release or using remote notification systems to get alerts if any damage has been sustained can be helpful in many cases.
Cummins Engine Overview
Cummins is a world-renowned brand and a premium diesel engine manufacturer. This is because of the power Cummins engines provide for trucks to carry a heavy load.
Not only power, but these engines also bring unmatched durability to the table. A truck with a Cummins engine can have incredible longevity when appropriately tended.
The original Cummins engine was an upgrade of Rudolf Diesel’s technology. A diesel engine has many things in common with a gasoline engine. The difference is the fuel used in each machine for the combustion process, which generates energy for the vehicle to run.
Due to its history of dependability, Cummins started to lead the competition for diesel engines used in the automobile sector. Carbon steel is used to manufacture the engine’s mainframe and block. The oversized bearings, along with the crankshaft, are also built with heavy-duty forged iron.
The market statistics also agree with the claims that “Cummins engines do not die”. This was proven when 75% of truck owners in 2019 chose the Cummins engine as their go-to!
This durability and power of Cummins engines are primarily thanks to the fact that these were manufactured first as commercial-performance engines. It also provides peak torque performance. The 2019 release provided the buyers with a 1000 lb-ft level of torque.
Cummins Engine Pros And Cons
Cummins is primarily known for their power and durability in engines. Their engines are truly built for towing and heavy load-carrying purposes. Their longevity is also outstanding as it warrants two years of damage replacement.
Pros
- Unmatched durability and longevity
- Power output is higher because of commercial-performance build quality
- Lightweight, and replacements are easy to perform
- Sustained performance throughout
Cons
- The initial cost is high
- Dowel pin faces some issues
Cummins was the most popular truck engine among divers in 2019, with a staggering 75% choosing Cummins over the competition. This speaks to how reliable and well-performing the engine is.
The influence of Cummins is such that some of its releases have developed a cult status among the community. Cummins will serve you best if you prefer sustained performance throughout your engine’s lifespan.
Comparison Table Showcasing Paccar Vs. Cummins
Both leading truck engine manufacturers are good options depending on what you want and how you plan to use your truck. For heavy-duty load carrying or pulling a camper, Cummins is uncontested. But for off-roads and modern technology implementations, Paccar is one step ahead.
Here is a quick comparison table to help you understand the qualities of these engines better.
| Paccar | Cummins | |
| Displacement | 12.9 liters | 14.0 liters |
| Dry Weight | 2600 Lbs | 2691 lbs |
| Oil System Capacity | 24 US quarts | 56 quarts |
| Horsepower | 405-501 HP | 525-565 HP |
| Peak Torque | 1450-1850 RPM | 1850-250 RPM |
| Governed Speed | 2600-2800 RPM | 1900 RPM |
| Base Warranty | Two years | Two years |
Which One Should You Choose?
Concluding the discussion regarding Paccar vs. Cummins, it truly comes down to how you plan to use your truck and under what road conditions.
Cummins are high-performance, high-torque engines with superb durability. They are the engine of choice for most truck drivers who are used to carrying a heavy load. But Paccar is more efficient regarding fuel consumption and technological applications with simulations performed on real scenarios to test their limits.
For heavy load lifting and towing, Cummins is uncontested. But for more casual use, Paccar might fit you more. Go for what works your circumstances best!