The Difference Of Diesel: A Look At The 5 Best Diesel Engines Ever Made

Diesel vehicles are favored among many blue collar workers. With enough strength to tackle the heaviest loads and enough power to get long-haul truckers where they need to go without breaking the bank on fuel, it’s no wonder that 10 diesel engine trucks are sold for every 100 trucks in America.

The secret comes down to the engine’s specific components: from diesel fuel lift pumps to diesel filtration systems, diesel engine manufacturers are bringing together pieces that will allow for a highly efficient machine. But even among the best, there are standout winners that tower above their brethren; whether they paved the way for greatness in diesel design or revolutionized the industry, here are the top five best diesel engines ever made.

1. International 7.3L Power Stroke: The Power Stroke revolutionized diesel truck ownership in the United States. Offering reliability, these engines helped start a horsepower and torque race among the Big Three (Cummins, Power Stroke, and Duramax), and was instrumental in pushing diesel ownership into the mainstream.
2. GM 6.6L Duramax: General Motors upped its game with the creation of the Isuzu-built Duramax in 2001. Now, the refined beast is capable of outrunning both Cummins and Power Stroke in the diesel power war.
3. Caterpillar C12 Super Truck Racing Engine: This engine can propel a massive racing big ring to 100 mph in just 7.9 seconds. As a result, the Caterpillar team won several championships on the back of this indestructible monster.
4. Wartsila-Sulzer RTA96-C: This powerful engine is used to move container ships, cruise liners, and generates a heck of a lot of force!
5. International DT466: Fleet managers across the country love to power their medium-duty transportation trucks with the DT466 because they run forever, are efficient, supply good power for moving freight, and can be rebuilt right in the chassis.
6. The Cummins B-Series: It may not have been the first, but the B-Series Cummins brought some much-earned respectability to diesel pickup trucks. With enough torque to relocate skyscrapers, the B-Series continues to shine.

From diesel fuel transfer pumps to fuel air separation systems, diesel engines truly do operate like well-oiled machines. As diesel has (as shown by the above 10 engines) and continues to prove, the fuel system is timeless — so don’t hesitate to upgrade yours with a new diesel fuel transfer pump today.