The 6-cylinder Diesel engine has become increasingly popular in the trucking industry because they offer better fuel economy and a better ride. Almost all truck makers are offering 6-cylinder Diesel engines as standard. Today, you can choose from hundreds of different truck models worldwide.
Depending on your needs, you may want to swap your 6-cylinder engine in a truck with a Cummins V6 engine. Knowing which one is the best for your swap may help you make the right choice. This article will learn about the best 6BT Cummins and the benefits of swapping your engine from that manufacturer.
Basics Of A Cummins Swap
You’ve come to the right place if you plan to swap a Cummins diesel into a truck. In the following sections, we break down each Cummins engine, from the 6BT to the 16V, and explain what they offer. Cummins makes both inline engines and V8s, so check out our guide to engine swap choices if you’re curious about what they’re like to build around.
Is Swapping Your Car Into Any Engine Recommendable
Typically, yes. The engine swap world is made up of a diverse and interlinked community. Common knowledge is shared through forums and videos, and users swap parts between each other’s cars in the real world. This makes it possible to adapt the parts and techniques that work on one vehicle to others.
Cummins 6BT Engine
Cummins is one of the oldest engine manufacturers in the world. Over the years, they have used many different engine platforms. Today, they offer 6-cylinder Diesel engines, the most popular of these is the ISB. This engine is used in heavy-duty vehicles like construction equipment, trucks, and buses.
It is a trendy choice for truck swaps because of the excellent fuel economy and low cost of ownership. Another big plus of using Cummins engines is the availability of aftermarket parts and service support. With the ISB, you can swap into any truck without modifying the engine or the vehicle. It is one of the easiest and least expensive 6BT engines to swap into your truck.
The Best 6BT Cummins for Your Swap
The best Cummins 6BT engines for sale depend on the make and model of the truck you want to upgrade. For most F250 and F350 trucks, a 6BT Power Stroke or 6BT ISL would be a great choice. These engines are prevalent and available in a wide range of configurations. Depending on your needs, you can choose from a 12-cylinder, 16-cylinder, or 18-cylinder engine.
For example, if you have a heavy-duty truck like a Class 8 HGV, a 24-cylinder Cummins is a way to go. These engines can handle the load and operate at very high RPM. In addition, they make an excellent upgrade for a truck that operates in a very high-load environment.
Disadvantages of Swap to Cummins
As mentioned above, there are many benefits of a Cummins swap. However, there are a few shortcomings that you need to be aware of. The first is poor fuel economy because these engines use 10.4:1 compression ratios. Since these ratios are much higher than the 6-cylinder Diesel engines, fuel economy suffers greatly.
The second disadvantage is the cost of ownership. These engines are very popular and are used in many heavy-duty vehicles. Because of this, parts may be hard to come by if something goes wrong with your truck. So, for example, when you swap to a Cummins, you may need to replace many parts used in 6-cylinder engines.
Is 6BT the Best for Your Swap?
The customer base is one of the most significant considerations when swapping your 6-cylinder engine for a Cummins. Cummins engines are used in many trucks and buses across the world. This means that many Cummins-swapped vehicles are driving on the roads today. So you need to make sure that you choose the right engine for your application.
Cummins is a top-rated engine manufacturer, so they are often the engine of choice. However, there are other manufacturers too. When choosing the best 6BT Cummins for your swap, ensure that the customer base is large enough for the engine swap.
Cummins’ 6BT diesel engines make finding a build that suits your needs easy. This is a popular engine choice from light-duty trucks to medium-duty trucks due to its reliability and durability.