Caterpillar D-343 Specs
by Solomon Poretsky
The Caterpillar D-343 is a large industrial grade diesel engine designed for marine applications, although it can also be found in applications such as diesel-powered power generators. Available in both a turbocharged and an aftercooled turbocharged edition, it combines fuel efficiency with a great deal of power, horsepower and torque.
Engine Specifications
The Caterpillar D-343 is a six-cylinder engine that operates on a standard four-stroke cycle. It has a 137-mm cylinder bore and 165-mm piston stroke and displaces 14.6 L. Its low idle speed is just 550 rpm, and its redline occurs at 2,000 rpm. Excluding protrusions, it is 32 inches across, 76.3 inches long and 49.7 inches tall.
Turbocharged Power
The base, turbocharged, variant of the engine generated 238 brake horsepower at its shaft and 245 bhp at its flywheel when running at 1,800 rpm, consuming 13.8 gallons of fuel per hour. At 2,000 rpm, it could generate 315 bhp intermittently with an absolute maximum of 395 bhp, both measured from the flywheel. The engine weighs 4,885 lbs. when completely dry.
Aftercooled Power
Caterpillar also offered an aftercooled variant: the D-343TA. This engine is more powerful, generating 359 and 370 bhp at its shaft and flywheel at 1,800 rpm, with intermittent and maximum power ratings of 460 and 550 bhp. In exchange for its additional power, it consums more fuel, with a flow rate of 19.3 gallons per hour. It weighs 50 lbs. heavier.
Transmission Specifications
The 1,105-lb. MG514 marine gear transmission was Caterpillar's recommended mate for the D-343. It is a five-speed transmission capable of running in both forward and reverse with gear ratios from two-to-one up to six-to-one.
References
Writer Bio
Solomon Poretsky has been writing since 1996 and has been published in a number of trade publications including the "Minnesota Real Estate Journal" and "Minnesota Multi-Housing Association Advocate." He holds a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Columbia University and has extensive experience in the fields of financial services, real estate and technology.
