SwRI to evaluate 2007 model year diesel engines

27 October 2006

Southwest Research Institute announced it will evaluate seven new engines for the Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Benchmarking program, focusing on the engine performance and fuel consumption associated with new exhaust emissions control technology. Manufacturers developed this new control technology, which uses diesel particulate filters in conjunction with ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, to meet 2007 US Environmental Protection Agency emission regulations.

Beginning in October 2006, SwRI will benchmark three light heavy-duty diesel engines from pickup trucks including the Cummins ISB used by Dodge, the Isuzu Duramax used in Chevrolet and GMC models, and the International PowerStroke V8 offered by Ford. Four heavy heavy-duty diesel engines will also be evaluated: the Caterpillar C15, Cummins ISX, Volvo D13 and DDC Series 60. Additional engines of interest may be added later in the year. The program already includes data from 10 previously benchmarked heavy-duty diesel engines.

The data sets for these engines will include a 200-point steady-state performance, heat rejection and gaseous emissions map; 22 speed/load points with combustion and particulate data; European Stationary Cycle (ESC) and US FTP transient testing; constant-speed step load transient response tests; engine teardown; and cylinder head flowbench evaluations. Subscribers may contract with the Institute on an individual basis to expand the scope of the program for additional measurements and evaluations.

Source: SwRI