Any feed back on Dmax 7800? I was looking at 8500. Where are they made? Advantages Cat vs. Dmax?

I see in the catolog it's made in Japan :(


How's the Cat C7?

All Duramax's are assembled in Loraine OH. They are the Isuzu design, and parts are manufactured in Japan, which means supply issues on replacement parts. Otherwise, good strong engines that meet the '07 clean air requirements.

Cat's C-7 (series) have been around for quite some time. Possibly the most popular MD service motor out there, available in 80% of all MDTs. Current engines do not yet meet the '07 clean air reqs., which may or may not mean something to fleet owners down the road, but there is two years for CAT to develop a solution.

The DMax is larger displacement (7.8L) than the Cat C-7 (7.1L), although they are tuned to the same HP/TQ ratings. The torque curve on the DM is a bit better (due to larger disp.) than the cat, but that can be compensated with the right trans. and diff. ratios.

Good luck.

No the 7.8 Isuzu is not built in the States. It's a totally different engine... inline 6, cast iron head. Only shares the name.

Hoot,

I thought that when we were all out at the factory in Ohio, that they were gearing up for the 7800? Our tour guide mentioned something about the 7800, just CRS anymore!

I don't remember that. The 7800 was out before 2000. Before the 6.6 was built.

I got CRS too

I was pricing Med Duty trucks last month and looks like the DMAX 7800 has a better warranty (2 years unlimited miles) as opposed to the Cat (2 years 150K miles or 3600 hrs whichever comes first). On the other hand you can probably walk into any shop on the street and get Cat parts or service, whereas DMAX parts & service is more sparse.

JP

Hi,

I have one GMC T8500 Tandem Axle Truck with a Cat 3126E Engine and One GMC WT5500 With a DMAX 7800 Diesel. The CAT Diesel is used for mostly highway trucking and the DMAX is used for local NYC deliveries so both have different jobs. Both trucks have never failed me yet ):h . THe DMAX is built in Japan and has a 3 Year Unlimited Mileage warranty :). The Cat diesels are covered for 3 years 150000 miles. As for service, the cat offers more choices in that you can go to a CAT service center and have you're truck fixed as well as a GMC Dealer. For the DMAX, GMC is the only place you can go to. I like the DMAX, but the Cat sounds a little tougher. As for parts availability, at least in NYC both CAT and ISUZU/DMAX parts are easily available.

BTW, Does anyone know why on my GMC WT5500, The owners manual says "DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC OILS" (ENGINE OIL)?