Can you convert an L3301 to an L3901?

[vanguard]

As far as I know the only difference between the L3301 and the L3901 is the tuning. I think it's actually software and every single part is the same.

Am I right on that? If so, can you convert an L3301 to an L3901 and save a few thousand dollars?

 

[teg]

I don't have an answer but want to hear what people say...

Usually the bore and stroke were different with the previous models but not now.

http://www.kubota.com/product/L3301/pdf/StandardLSeries_specs.pdf

older model:
http://www.kubota.com/product/L3200/pdf/l_series_spec.pdf

Also I see a new one in the line up... L2501

Kubota Tractors - L Series - L2501 - Kubota Tractor Corporation

 

[vanguard]

I don't have an answer but want to hear what people say...

I asked the salesman while I was there kicking the tires and he told me it wasn't approved by the government. I said, "It seems like the sort of thing diesel truck owners do all the time. They buy a tuner and have the computer dump more fuel."

Neither of us knew what was ok and what wasn't.

I'm not sure how much I care about government approval. If it's the same hardware but detuned on the 3301 I wouldn't feel guilty at all getting the extra HP. I'm probably missing something.

 

[Tractorrr]

I asked the salesman while I was there kicking the tires and he told me it wasn't approved by the government. I said, "It seems like the sort of thing diesel truck owners do all the time. They buy a tuner and have the computer dump more fuel."

Neither of us knew what was ok and what wasn't.

I'm not sure how much I care about government approval. If it's the same hardware but detuned on the 3301 I wouldn't feel guilty at all getting the extra HP. I'm probably missing something.

Are all the other parts the same such as the radiator, amount of air coming into engine, exhaust, etc? Those could be different with a higher horespower I suppose

 

[teg]

So far I have never needed more HP... I got R4 industrial tires and I either lose grip or dig a hole... Guy at work replaced a chip on one of our trucks, better HP/performance and better mileage... go figure!

 

[k0ua]

I don't know, but we are all sure interested in what you find out.

I wonder if the injector pump may be different?

 

[LD1]

Not up on the new models. But the prior ones used a different PTO configuration too in the gear models. That alone was enough for me to spend the extra and get the 3400 over the 2800

 

[s219]

Interesting! The L3200 used to have a 91.5 cubic inch engine, while the 3800 had 111.4 cubic inches. Now both the L3301 and L3901 have the 111.4 cubic inch engine. The 3200/3800 were indirect injection, while the 3301/3901 are direct injection.

I wonder if the L3301 is just detuned somehow? Seems like a cheesy way to do it, but then again maybe this is an opportunity for a smart person to get 6 extra HP out of their 3301...

 

[LD1]

Its nothing new and nothing unique to kubota. Mfgs have been doing it across the board for years.

Sometimes the same engine might span 3 HP ranges. A detuned one, a std one, then one with a turbo.

 

[jcbGM]

Its nothing new and nothing unique to kubota. Mfgs have been doing it across the board for years.

Sometimes the same engine might span 3 HP ranges. A detuned one, a std one, then one with a turbo.

Yep. One of the brands we represent has the same engine in 74, 92, and 125hp variants. We've gone as far as taking an ecu from a 92 and put it on a 74. Made a huge difference. Don't know if we reached the full 92 but it was close. The 124 has a bigger turbo and intercooler.

 

[Rocky Hoffler]

Do you have a mechanical injection pump or is it electronic injection.

 

[vanguard]

Do you have a mechanical injection pump or is it electronic injection.

Well I don't have either, I'm still shopping. But I'm pretty sure it has electronic injection.

 

[MHarryE]

My prime machine size at Cat comes with either 150 or 175 HP depending on machine weight. For commonality (cost) reasons all auxiliary engine components are identical (fan, radiator, ATAAC, oil cooler, fuel cooler). The only engine difference is the software flashed into the ECU. There are supposed to be engine identification codes preventing a person from uprating an engine by flashing new software although during development stage I could flash the software with just my ID so I expect that somebody familiar with the computer coding could create a flash file and uprate an engine. Depends on customer demand because the software development isn't cheap.