DDEC III 94-98 Series 60, 50, 92 programming

Detroit Diesel DDEC III ecms can be found on engines as small as 4 cylinder 8.5 liter Series 50 engines to as large as the 24 cylinder Series 71 engines. The vehicle / Application side can include Trucks, busses, firetrucks, highway cranes, boats, underground mining generators and much more.

DDEC III 94-98 Series 60, 50, 92 tuning and programming

The dynamometer graphs you see below are horsepower and torque at the rear wheels. Wheel or roller torque numbers (sometimes labeled Raw torque) are very high because the rear end ratio and tire size acts as a torque multiplier. The rear end ratio, tire size, transmission gearing and drivetrain losses make roller (wheel) torque and wheel horsepower less accurate and harder to compare than flywheel torque and flywheel horsepower. So I only use roller torque and roller horsepower when referencing a chassis dynamometer test. For everything else I use flywheel torque and flywheel horsepower.

1996 12.7 GK60 420hp/483bhp 1350ftlbs@1500rpm adv economy programming
1995 12.7 GK60 480hp/552bhp 1600ftlbs (1850ftlbs flywheel) programming
1997 12.7 GK60 534hp/614bhp 1550ftlbs programming (higher than normal reported failure rate – lower horsepower recommended)

ECM output torque displays value after programming.

Injector signal measurements

Power and torque can be switched on the fly from dash*

Extreme applications are bound only by ECM hardware limits

Generally, the higher the peak power and torque go the more heat builds up in the engine and the more careful the operator needs to be to keep it cool. Big programs demand more attention and require more heat management from the engine’s operator. If you’re not sure how much you want, you’re better off being conservative. I won’t talk anyone into numbers they aren’t comfortable with. DCS can also program most DDEC IIIs with a three in one Triple play switchable programming that features on the fly selectable program changes to horsepower, torque, injection timing, rpm limit, and engine response. That way you can make some adjustments to the power and torque to fit the situation or operator’s preference without needing reprogramming. The table below are three of the most popular peak power and peak torque settings by year / engine model. Not all engine models of a given year are programmed with the same peak power and peak torque from the factory.

Popular peak power and peak torque options by engine year / engine model (DDEC III)

Most popular by S60 engineFactory Stock / or Economy optMid Power setting (Flywheel HP)High Power setting(FlywheelHP)
1991 12.7 6067GK40 (conv only)400hp@1800 1450ftlbs@1200450hp@2100 1550ftlbs@1200500hp@2100 1600ftlbs@1200
1992 12.7 6067GK40 (conv only)450hp@2100 1450ftlbs@1200475hp@2100 1550ftlbs@1200500hp@2100 1650ftlbs@1200
1993 12.7 6067GK40 (conv only)450hp@2100 1450ftlbs@1200475hp@2100 1550ftlbs@1200500hp@2100 1650ftlbs@1200
1994 12.7 6067GK60360hp@1800 1450ftlbs@1200500hp@2100 1600ftlbs@1200525hp@2100 1750ftlbs@1200
1994 11.1 6067WK60*330hp@1800 1150ftlbs@1200400hp@2100 1400ftlbs@1200450hp@2100 1500ftlbs@1350
1994 11.1 6067SK60*350hp@2100 1350ftlbs@1200400hp@2100 1400ftlbs@1200450hp@2100 1500ftlbs@1350
1995 12.7 6067GK60430hp@2100 1550ftlbs@1200525hp@2100 1700ftlbs@1200550hp@2100 1850ftlbs@1200
1995 12.7 6067GK60 v2500hp@2100 1550ftlbs@1200525hp@2100 1700ftlbs@1200550hp@2100 1850ftlbs@1200
1995 11.1 6067WK60*330hp@1800 1150ftlbs@1200375hp@2100 1350ftlbs@1200400hp@2100 1500ftlbs@1200
1995 11.1 6067SK60*400hp@2100 1350ftlbs@1200425hp@2100 1400ftlbs@1200450hp@2100 1500ftlbs@1350
1996 12.7 6067GK60470hp@2100 1450ftlbs@1200525hp@2100 1750ftlbs@1200550hp@2100 1850ftlbs@1200
1996 12.7 6067GK60 v2500hp@2100 1550ftlbs@1200525hp@2100 1750ftlbs@1200550hp@2100 1850ftlbs@1200
1996 11.1 6067WK60*350hp@2100 1350ftlbs@1200400hp@2100 1400ftlbs@1200450hp@2100 1500ftlbs@1350
1996 11.1 6067SK60*350hp@1800 1250ftlbs@1200400hp@2100 1400ftlbs@1200450hp@2100 1500ftlbs@1200
1997 12.7 6067GK60500hp@2100 1650ftlbs@1200525hp@2100 1750ftlbs@1200550hp@2100 1850ftlbs@1200
1997 11.1 6067WK60*365hp@1800 1350ftlbs@1200400hp@2100 1400ftlbs@1200450hp@2100 1500ftlbs@1350
1997 11.1 6067SK60*330hp@2100 1350ftlbs@1200400hp@2100 1400ftlbs@1200450hp@2100 1500ftlbs@1350
1998 12.7 6067TK60*DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
1998 12.7 6067PK60DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
1998 11.1 6067EK60*DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
1999 12.7 6067MK60*DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
1999 12.7 6067BK60DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
1999 11.1 6067LK60*DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
2000 12.7 6067MK60*DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
2000 12.7 6067BK60DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
2000 14.0 6067HK60DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
2001 12.7 6067MK60DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
2001 12.7 6067BK60DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
2001 14.0 6067HK60DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
2002 12.7 6067MK60DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
2002 12.7 6067BK60DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
2002 14.0 6067HK60DDEC IV onlyDDEC IV onlyDDEC IV only
2003 12.7 6067MK2E (EGR)No tuning options at this timeNo tuning options at this timeNo tuning options at this time
2003 14.0 6067HK6E (EGR)No tuning options at this timeNo tuning options at this timeNo tuning options at this time
2004 14.0 6067HV6E (EGR)No tuning options at this timeNo tuning options at this timeNo tuning options at this time
1995 6v92 80627K10625hp@2400rpm1600ftlbs@1500rpmDDEC III only
1996 8v92 80827K03760hp@2400rpm1875ftlbs@1800rpmDDEC III only
1996 16v92 81627K011450hp@2400rpm3718ftlbs@1500rpmDDEC III only

DDEC III GK60 engines do not have piston cooling nozzles. Exhaust gas temperatures must be kept low to prevent piston damage with GK programs over 550hp.

DDEC III and IV ecms have pulse tach outputs that can work with much older dashes. This DDEC ECM feature makes the Series 60 a good choice to repower trucks like this bicentennial KW

Estimated costs – DDEC III Tuning / programming service

Triple On The fly Switchable Programming w/ install kit

Triple Play 3 setting or 2 setting on the fly switchable ECM programming, switch, harness and switch install kit. Pick three peak horsepower, max rpm, and peak torque settings. Parameter changes can be included and completed during this programming service provided requests were made before or when the ecm was first received by DCS

$1000 + return shipping

Single Non Switchable Programming

All Detroit programs are made to order so pick a peak horsepower, a maximum rpm, and pick a max torque. Parameter changes can be included and completed during this programming service provided requests were made before or when the ecm was first received by DCS

$800 + return shipping

Average job completion time is 2 business days If no other scheduled jobs are pending and when all needed engine and application information is provided before or at the start of the ecm software programming service.

Program Parameter changes & software Diagnostics

Unlike DDEC III ECM tuning programming for Series 60, 50, 92 the costs of both Software Diagnostic testing and Program Parameter service are dependent on the time spent receiving and reviewing any reported abnormality, request, or parameter change followed by the testing of software or changing of parameter values, reporting back findings or completed changes and ends after a customer side approval or acknowledgement. The only exception is when program parameter service requests are made at the start of or before the start of an ecm software programming/tuning service. When that happens the parameter changes will usually be considered to be part of the ecm software programming/tuning service. Parameter change requests and software Diagnostic testing requests made afterword regardless of circumstance will initiate the start of a new job and invoice. I send out a pre programmed message via text after the initial phone call requesting this information among other things before the start of a job to help avoid this but if for whatever reason it gets ignored then I’ll leave those settings the way they were when it was sent in. Last call is just before the job is invoiced when I text over images of data sheets that list current parameter values for approval. After that it ships back and additional changes will be treated as a new stand alone job and costs for those jobs tend to fall into the range of $150 – $600.

A few examples of program parameter changes

Fuel injector trim updates, road, cruise, and driver reward speed limits, cruise control, jake, bump idle and pto rpm and mph threshold, increment and rate changes. Automatic to manual transmission swaps, engine fan clutch engagement and disengagement temperature threshold changes, engine protection shutdowns and derates from coolant, oil or charge air temperature and coolant or oil pressure, or coolant level, automatic idle shutdown and optimized idle functions, idle validation, Jake, cruise, manual fan, tail shaft signal and coolant level function removal or function enable. Inputs, outputs and multiplexing changes. Tire revolutions per mile and rear end ratio changes and more.

Some examples of DDEC III & IV applications

FLD120/132, Argosy, Classic, Century, Columbia, *Coronado glider, *Cascadia glider, Western Star, Volvo ACL64, WG64, VNL, International 9100, 9400, 379, 377, 357, *389 glider, W900, T800, T600, Ford, Sterling, Provost, MCI MC12, 102DL3, Gillig, TMC, Bluebird Wanderlodge, Pierce, Terex, Bertram, Tiara, Viking, Ocean Yacht, Donzi, Monterey, Kohler, Fire commander, MTU, Sturdy, Marine, Genset, Crane, DT-22 Mining, Industrial, and others.

DDEC IV Programs will not run in DDEC III ecms. Also programming can’t give a DDEC III ECM J1939 or EGR VGT functionality. DDEC III hardware doesn’t support those functions regardless of what programming is done to it. DDEC IV ecms can be programmed to run factory programs specifically for engines originally equipped with DDEC III ecms but not the other way around. Think of it like this. You can use programming to make a 4 wheel drive pickup truck only function in 2 wheel drive but no amount of programming can make a 2 wheel drive pickup with out a transfer case or front differential have 4 wheel drive.

Engine side and OEM side identification – What engine and what is it powering?

Info from factory valve cover stickers can identify engine model variations.

Example of Injector part #(7466) and 2-digit trim codes (left to right 19, 16, 03…) radiator #1 to firewall #6)

The easiest way for the info is to text over photos of the door tags, valve cover stickers and injector trim codes and as long as the valve cover is original and the injectors, cam, and pistons in the engine are correct for that engine and application family and build date that will usually cover it. Otherwise I like to verify the engine serial number, engine model, injector trim codes, and make, model and year of the truck, bus, boat, or industrial along with whatever injectors, injector trim codes, camshaft and pistons are in it especially if they have been changed to something different to ensure the best and most predictable outcomes. I have great respect for the work Detroit did on these engines and whenever possible I use the bone stock factory program as the foundation of any engine side programming I do.

The photo below is of a bench test of a DDEC IV that came in a some tune that had 2050ftlbs@1200rpm written in the data tag but was only making 1466ftlbs at 100 percent load. Even before the attempt was made to turn up the horsepower was made torque was lost because the base program was changed to an engine that was not compatible.

About a third of the programming work I do is fixing the programming mistakes of the last guy who plugged into it. It’s been my experience that most ECM tuning shops other than Detroit Diesel are not aware or just ignore the differences between Detroit engines, especially the Series 60 engines. The Series 60 that suffers the worst from this is the more common variation of the 1995 GK60. The biggest factory program available for the more common variation had peak power set to 470hp@2110rpm and 1550ftlbs@1200rpm for peak torque. There was also a less common 1995 GK60 set to 500hp but if an inexperienced tuner overwrites a GK60 that came with a 470hp program with the 500hp GK60 program then horsepower will drop to about 440 and torque will drop to about 1400ftlbs. Why? Because the 500hp GK60 runs a larger injector compared to what injector is factory in a 470hp GK60. This is just one example of why I like to check verify the information programmed into the ecm I’ve received is accurate before I get into any engine side programming on any DDEC that was previously tuned.

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