LS 3 cylinder turbo varying horsepower

Billy Bee · Sep 26, 2018

My son is looking to buy an LS XR series tractor, we noticed that from 40 hp. to 55hp. they use the same engine displacement. He would like to go with a 45 or 50hp. His question is, by getting more hp. out of the same engine making it work harder, thus affecting longevity. Is it better to have more displacement to get more hp? These are turbo diesels, do they just turn up the boost, use a different turbo, different injectors? That seems like a wide range of hp. from the same displacement. He really likes the LS. Any concerns with high hp. small displacement engines?
Thanks,
Bill

finn1 · Sep 27, 2018

All manufacturers do the same thing, ie multiple calibrations from one basic engine platform.

You can either look at it as the lower power options are derated, or the higher options are uprated

Engine life is partially a function of fuel throughput on a given platform, but even the highest rating will give adequate service life if properly engineered and maintained.

Billy Bee · Sep 28, 2018

Found an old thread from 2004. Replies are all over the map, some love them, some not so much. I think it is going to be a non issue. I know he will take good care of it.
Thanks, Bill

3Lfarms · Sep 30, 2018

It’s a non issue, IMO.

The 5.9 Cummins TD was rated at 220hp and 440tq when they first put them in pickups. By 2007, the same engine was fueled to 350hp and 650tq. The failure rate didn’t seem to go up either. I personally know of more than a dozen of the 2003-2005 models that went over 1M miles.

finn1 · Oct 1, 2018

Actually, it was something like 180 hp at first. There were continual improvements, like intercoolers fuel system upgrades, and four valve heads to get the Cummins B to the ratings of today, as well as a better understanding of duty cycles and their impact on longevity.

3Lfarms · Oct 1, 2018

Yep. The first ones weren’t even turbocharged and a lot of improvements were made to get more fuel and air into the engine as well as meet emissions, but the basic engine remained the same, excepting the change to a 24 valve head.
My point is, quality Diesel engines can easily handle more hp. There are tuners available for every diesel pickup. They all add at least 25 hp, some up to 200 hp.
The long term effects of adding 5 or 10 hp to a 35hp tractor is basically nothing.