Institute to study diesel engines

Southwest Research Institute said it will conduct a benchmarking study of eight 2002 model-year heavy-duty diesel engines. The benchmarking program will extensively test and assess the performance, emissions and durability of the two classes of diesel engines that are primarily sold in the U.S. Program manager Bob Burrahm said engine makers and component suppliers can benefit from the data by gaining a better understanding of how the new emissions reduction technologies will impact the performance and durability of heavy-duty engines. "Along with our standard assessments, we plan to compare the engines' emissions reduction technologies and durability," said Burrahm. Each engine will undergo extensive steady-state mapping, step-transient tests, a 300-hour durability assessment, disassembly and inspection, and cylinder head airflow testing, Burrahm said.