Cummins L10 Power Upgrades: Here's What You May Implement

The Cummins L10 is a powerful engine in the American manufacturer Cummins L-series line of engines. It was the first in the L-series and was released in New York in 1982. Its production was halted in 1994. Transit buses, trucks, tractors, and trains are the types of vehicles that use the L10 engine.

The Cummins L10 is a 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. It has a 10.0L displacement and 250-400 horsepower rating (may differ with production year). However, despite how powerful the L10 already is, you may want to get more from it. Hence this article will discuss some methods for you to upgrade the power of the Cummins L10 engine.

What You May Implement to Upgrade the Power of the L10

There are various things you can do to upgrade the Cummins L10's power. The effect of any of these implementations could lead to small or major power gains. Some of these implementations are discussed below.

1) Remap or Tune the Engine

The most obvious power upgrade that can be done to an L10 engine is to tune up the engine. Engine tuning involves adjusting settings to boost performance, power, or efficiency. Engine tuning will involve adjusting or replacing the L10s Engine Control Unit (ECU) to improve some of the settings that can increase power.

By tuning the ECU, you can increase the horsepower and torque of the L10s engine and also get smoother performance. Some of the things adjusted when tuning the ECU include its fuel injection timing, turbocharger pressure, and exhaust system. There are two ways of tuning the L10s ECU, remapping or chip tuning. Remapping is updating the ECU's software with modified settings. Chip tuning involves replacing the ECU with a pre-tuned one. Chip tuning is more affordable and easier to revert.

Engine tuning could cause poorer emissions, more noise, and an unstable engine. These caveats are more likely to occur if the tune-up is done incorrectly or by unqualified people. So, if you want to tune your L10 engine ECU, ensure you consult with a qualified technician. When done well, tuning can be a good way to upgrade your L10 engine's power.

2) Upgrade the Turbocharger

The turbocharger in an engine is important for improving its efficiency by shooting up the density of the air or intake gas. This allows more power per engine cycle. There are many engines that will work without a turbocharger or with a damaged one. However, doing so reduces the power output of such engines. Turbochargers significantly increase the power output of diesel engines and help improve their fuel efficiency.

In relation to power upgrades for the Cummins L10 engine, consider a performance turbocharger. A performance turbocharger upgrade over the factory-installed one can boost the engine's power output significantly. A larger performance turbocharger can increase airflow. Increased airflow can increase the L10's horsepower and torque at lower revolutions.

3) Camshaft Upgrade

Camshafts in internal combustion engines control the fuel input and exhaust fume expulsion. It does this by opening and closing the inlet and exhaust valves at the correct time. Camshafts are an important component in maintaining the engine's power. The longer a camshaft can stay open, the more air and fuel it can allow to enter the cylinder for consumption.

With a camshaft upgrade, you can improve your L10's power output. Moving from the stock camshaft to a compatible performance model can change the timing of the engine's inlet and exhaust valves by allowing higher airflow. Greater airflow will improve combustion and could increase power outputted by the engine at higher revolutions per minute (RPM). A camshaft upgrade may only add small power gains to your L10 engine, but when combined with other modifications, it could be worthwhile.

Before upgrading the L10s camshaft, you should consider replacing its rocker arms, as they wear faster than the camshaft. Also, consider the valve train, valve piston clearance, RPM, and fuel system when choosing a performance camshaft.

4) Install a Larger Exhaust

The exhaust system of an engine like the L10 can affect its power and performance. High exhaust backpressure can hinder the movement of exhaust gases. It will also reduce engine performance and power. Also, higher exhaust gas temperature can affect combustion negatively. An exhaust system with a larger diameter will be less restrictive and reduces exhaust backpressure, and helps maintain a higher exhaust gas temperature.

Components like catalytic converters and headers will perform better if you install a larger exhaust. A bigger exhaust will also help the L10 engine move air with less effort. Improved airflow will improve the engine's power output.

5) Upgrade or Add Intercooler

You can also increase the Cummins L10s power output by upgrading the intercooler or adding a new one if there is none or if damaged. Intercoolers help optimize the combustion process in forced induction engines. Improved combustion tends to lead to an increase in power. The turbocharger in your L10 engine compresses combustion air, and that process raises the air temperature. Heated air is not as dense as cool air and thus affects the efficiency of the combustion.

The intercooler comes between the turbocharger and the engine. This way, heated compressed air can be cooled by the intercooler before it gets to the engine. The lower density of the cooled air will improve combustion in the L10 engine and raise its power output.

If your L10 has an intercooler that is in working condition, upgrading it can offer marginal power gains. Likewise, if there is no intercooler or it is worn out, install a new one to increase combustion efficiency and engine power.

6) Upgrade the Fuel System

The fuel system in the Cummins L10 is a crucial system in the engine. It stores, delivers, and atomizes fuel to the combustion system. Also, it is important for regulating how much fuel gets into the engine.

A fuel system in optimal condition plays an essential role in an engine's power output. Some of the main components of the L10s fuel system are the tank, pump, filter, and injectors. If these components are not working effectively, engine performance and power may drop. For example, clogged fuel filters will inhibit fuel delivery to the engine and reduce combustion efficiency and power. So, in case of a defect to any of these components, repair or replace them.

Since we are talking about power upgrades in this article, even if the fuel system components are operational, you can upgrade or tune some of them to increase the engine's power. Installing larger fuel injectors and higher-flow fuel pumps can improve the L10s engine combustion and, importantly, its power output.

These upgrades on their own may not bring the expected improvement in the L10's power. Yet, when you combine a high-flow fuel pump, increased injector capacity, and fuel line sizing with an upgraded turbocharger pulley to raise boost pressures, you can derive significantly more horsepower and torque from your L10.

7) All-In-One Performance Upgrade

We have listed a number of ways you can improve or upgrade the Cummins L10 power output. Besides those already listed, you can do a few other things. You can upgrade the pistons and rings, cold air intake, cylinder, and transmission for various levels of power improvements. However, instead of considering one or more of these recommendations, it might be best to opt for a one-stop solution from a qualified workshop.

Experts of the popular L10 engine from Cummins can easily inspect and detect all the measures needed to boost the engine's power. You will not have to concern yourself with all the fine details in upgrading your engine's power. All you need to see is the improved performance and power output from your Cummins L10.

Additional Recommendations for Improving Cummins L10's Power

Besides major component upgrades, there are a few things you can do to take advantage of the upgrades and keep your Cummins L10 engine performance and power at high levels. Some of the gains you will get will be minute, but they are worth checking out.

• Use high-quality fuel and the manufacturer's recommended lubricants to keep your L10 engine running smoothly. Fuel additives can also be helpful in this regard.
• Regularly inspect and change the Cummins L10s engine oil and oil filter.
• Do not overload the engine or the machine equipped with it beyond the manufacturer's recommendation.
• Drive smoothly and do not brake or accelerate suddenly when operating the L10-powered vehicle.
• Inspect the engine regularly for leaks and component damage. Address any issues as soon as possible.

Conclusion

The L10 is a popular engine from Cummins that runs in many heavy-duty automobiles despite the fact that it was discontinued more than two decades ago. This article looked at methods for upgrading the Cummins L10 engine power. You can upgrade the turbocharger, camshaft, intercooler, and fuel system to get more power from your L10 engine. You can also tune or remap the engine for more power.

We also recommend an all-in-one upgrade for your L10 engine from capable workshops. Further, we have mentioned some ways to maintain your engine's performance or get the most out of any power upgrades you make. Most of the upgrades suggested in this article will be beyond most people. So please get some expert advice and help in performing these power upgrades for your Cummins L10 engine.