The Advantages of a Diesel Engine | Why Diesel is Just Better

At CPP Diesel, we're already sold on the advantages of a diesel engine. After all, we've dedicated our lives and built a business to further the passion for diesel. Though we do understand that newcomers looking to make the switch may be interested in why diesel engines are preferable to gas engines. And of course, longtime enthusiasts of diesel engines may just want to know the facts so they can rub the superior performance of the diesel engine in their friends' faces.

Whatever your motives, we've put together a list of advantages that a diesel engine has over standard gas engines. There are plenty of reasons for making the switch to diesel if you haven't already, and after you get done with this article, you'll be up to your neck with reasons to do so!

View our 89-93 5.9L Cummins diesel engines and accessories here.

Energy-Rich Fuel

When you start to talk about the advantages of a diesel engine, you have to start with the fuel itself. If you've ever stopped at a gas station configured for semi-trucks – and there are plenty of other types of gas stations that carry diesel – you've probably noticed that diesel tends to be more expensive by the gallon. But where diesel costs more by the gallon, it makes up for in fuel efficiency.

Diesel fuel is incredibly energy-rich and fuel efficient, which results in lower costs overall. More energy can be extracted per volume, which gives diesel drivers far greater mileage for the fuel they put in. Diesel tends to get 25 to 30 percent greater fuel economy than regular gas, and its fuel costs are typically thirty to fifty percent less per Kilowatt.

Diesel fuels tend to be heavier, oilier, and feature a higher boiling point. Diesel engines contain higher temperatures inside them, which has several consequences for the behavior of the engine and the overall fuel efficiency achieved, which we will discuss in the next section.

See our selection of 94-98 5.9L Cummins diesel engine parts.

Efficient Engines

One of the major advantages of a diesel engine is that it achieves a particularly high rate of efficiency due to its design, and this is setting aside the fact that diesel fuel is more energy rich. Diesel engines rely on a particular method of compression, as opposed to the spark ignition that is prevalent in gas engines.

With the diesel method of compression, air is drawn into the engine and undergoes high compression, greatly increasing the heat of the air. Temperatures are so high inside a diesel engine, that any diesel fuel inside of the engine is ignited without the need for a spark ignition.

To add to the advantages of a diesel engine, the compression itself is greater in the diesel engine. This is because diesel engines compress air separately from the fuel, allowing for a greater ratio of compression, whereas in a gas engine, air and fuel are compressed together, resulting in lower compression ratios and lower efficiency.

Diesel also manages to convert more heat into energy than a gas engine, which tends to send much of the heat of the tailpipe. In thermodynamic terms, a diesel engine can convert over 45% of its fuel energy into mechanical energy, making it one of the most efficient engine types in existence. A gasoline engine typically only has a 30% conversion rate.

Browse all 2013 and newer 6.7L Cummins diesel engines and accessories.

Reliable Engines

Another of the considerable advantages of a diesel engine is its powerful engine design. Because diesel engines are subjected to the high pressures and temperatures of the compression process, they are required to be built to withstand these forces, making them particularly rugged and reliable engines.

There is no sparking involved, so there is no need for spark plugs, distributors, or spark wires. This means higher reliability especially in damp environments. And the lack of coils and spark plug wires make these engines ideal for aircraft and marine vehicles, as there is less interference with navigation and communication frequencies.

Diesel engines typically require less maintenance work for their regular operation, and diesel engines are known to last quite some time.Maintenance intervals are much longer than standard gas-powered engines, and there are various types of diesel engines that are known to have lifespans of hundreds of thousands of miles, as they are built with particularly strong materials and design aspects.

Powerful Engines

As if that weren’t enough already, diesel engines tend to be very powerful right out of the factory. Due to the way that diesel fuel is burned, more torque is applied to the driveshaft, which allows for greater speeds than many gas-powered cars. Diesel-powered trucks also tend to be much more effective at towing, while still retaining that fuel efficiency that diesel owners love.

Diesel engines can also accept higher supercharger or turbocharger pressures, due to the design of the engine, making them an ideal engine for performance modifications. High pressures from turbochargers and superchargers can destroy gasoline engines, but diesel engines can withstand much more power.

Versatile Applications

Diesel engines are extremely versatile. Because of their rugged construction, raw power, and efficiency, diesel engines are used in a wide variety of applications. You can find diesel engines in construction vehicles and equipment, marine applications, mining vehicles and equipment, agriculture, automotives of various kinds, industrial applications, trains, generators, heavy transportation, other types of equipment, and much more.

Diesel trucks themselves are used in a variety of settings such as racing, pulling events, offroading, hauling, long distance transportation, and more. A single diesel truck can be configured for a variety of applications with minimal modification.

Find a new Cummins 4BT engine for your diesel truck here.

Constant Improvement

Consider some of the present and even future advantages of a diesel engine. There are considerable pressures to constantly improve diesel technology. Low-emission, energy-rich engines are needed because of climbing fuel costs and dwindling petroleum reserves, on top of ever-increasing demand for energy, and governments around the world are pressuring diesel engine manufacturers to constantly improve their efficiency and lower emissions.

Modern diesel vehicles are much more quiet and require much less maintenance than they once did.

Today we are seeing improvements across the board in diesel passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, farm vehicles and equipment, and construction vehicles and machinery. Among the improvements to benefit from are better catalytic converters, improved emissions, advanced filters, and low-sulfur diesel fuels. The future is bright for the diesel owner.

Eco-Friendly

Diesel trucks may occasionally get a bad rap because of their noise and the exhaust that they belch out, but they're actually pretty eco-friendly, even compared to certain types of gasoline hybrids. We've already mentioned one of the main advantages of a diesel engine: that diesel engines are incredibly fuel efficient, providing much more energy for every gallon of fuel burned. A diesel engine will burn less fuel to do the same amount of work as a gas engine, which itself is better for the environment.

The longevity of the diesel engine also means less waste and energy generated from manufacturing and maintenance. Diesel engines generate less waste heat, and there is less carbon monoxide expelled in their emissions.

Diesel fuel itself is much safer than gasoline. Diesel fuel does not release as much flammable vapor as gasoline does, and it does not explode. Diesel fuel still burns in open air, but it generally requires a wick.

Another great thing about diesel engines is that many of them can be converted to biodiesel without any serious modifications. Many diesel engines can directly run biofuel through them, providing a clean-burning non-petroleum source of energy.

In addition to our selection of Cummins diesel engines, we also have GM Duramax engines available for purchase.

Shop Diesel Today

So you've seen the many incredible advantages of a diesel engine. Are you ready to convert to one? Or do you already own a diesel engine and you're just nodding in approval? Whatever the case, you can clearly see the basis for our love of diesel over here at CPP Diesel. We've built a business and a web store around the notion that diesel owners should be able to find the performance parts they need in one place, at an affordable price. We also strive to provide top-notch customer service, and a knowledge base that helps diesel owners everywhere get the most performance possible out of their engines with the applications they are passionate about.

Check out our wide selection for yourself. We're pretty sure you'll be able to find what you are looking for with no problem. If you have any questions about any of our parts, our inventory, or your performance needs, don't hesitate to give us a call at 724-785-4022 or send us an email or chat message. Shop for your performance parts and build your dream diesel engine today.