Newbie, stock DT360 owner. Looking for more safe HP/torque.

Blitzgt3

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Joined
Jun 27, 2025
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4
Location
Ohio
Hey guys, I'm new to this site. I just bought a 1990 International 4700 Toter. I understand the DT360 isn't a power house but after pulling my trailer to the track for the first time I was like, .....Yeah, I need a little more. The pump hasn't been touched yet. I'm not looking for killer power, but I would like a more. What do you guys suggest?
 
I have a dt466. I've entertained the idea of more power. I am a pro car mechanic who's built gas "hotrod engines" with more power than stock. I realize that diesels can be "hotrodded" also.

With all that out of the way, I'll warn you: IMO, you should take any engine advice here with a grain of salt. This is a site of dreamers with a hodge podge of skills, almost none of which is diesel mechanics. Drivetrain mods is a weak spot here, from what I've seen.

Engines of the same size are made with differing HP levels. Rebuild kits fit the HP level, so, there are parts of the engine that are different. Is it piston-wall clearance? Piston "dish" size? Piston ring material? Ring gap? Ring location? I wish I knew. I know those things are vitally important to get right on an engine because of heat; the higher the HP and longer it's at "wide open" the more danger there is of damaging parts due to heat.

I hope you get some suggestions. And I hope you test those suggestions against many other sources. Good luck.
 
Thanks for the input! I've worked with gas race engines all my life. I was a service manager at a dealership for 23 years and currently run my own business maintaing three Trans-Am TA2 race cars. I understand the pros and cons of online advice. Lol
I've learned a lot about diesels in the past three months! The DT360 is rated at 190 HP and I would love to get it around 300. But realistically, if I can play with the pump a little and get another 20-30 HP it would be a big help. I just like hearing what people have to say. I will do a lot of research before I go fiddling with anything myself.
 
Hey guys, I'm new to this site. I just bought a 1990 International 4700 Toter. I understand the DT360 isn't a power house but after pulling my trailer to the track for the first time I was like, .....Yeah, I need a little more. The pump hasn't been touched yet. I'm not looking for killer power, but I would like a more. What do you guys suggest?
What transmission do you have? (Brand, model, manual or auto) Some automatics don't do well with increasing the input power.

Carl
 
reach out to carson staufer diesel.
they will talk to you and help decide what your options are with the age of your engine and when it comes time for a rebuild they will help you with what to do to hit 3-400 HP.
finding a good machine shop to do the head work including the fire rings will be tough or at least is in my area.
 
Well, you have a great starting point from a knowledge perspective.

What pump do you have? There is a ton of info about getting more from a 12v Cummins, I try to learn diesel mod theory from that info.

Maybe you should install spark plugs in your diesel so you can "read" them for tuning purposes. :)
 
Hey guys, I'm new to this site. I just bought a 1990 International 4700 Toter. I understand the DT360 isn't a power house but after pulling my trailer to the track for the first time I was like, .....Yeah, I need a little more. The pump hasn't been touched yet. I'm not looking for killer power, but I would like a more. What do you guys suggest?
Welcome to skoolie.net, a place where a "site of dreamers with a Hodge podge of skills" come together to share ideas, thoughts and accomplishments while on their personal journey in the "skoolie" realm of life.

Who might some of these "Hodge podge" folks be you ask....folks from ALL walks of life. some folks have unique skills that they share and others are "newbies" , like yourself, who come here for the past resources already shared. They also come here to share their own reflections of the skoolie journey too.

We have past and active members of the military, active and retired industrial mechanics, engineers, ASE certified mechanics and also non certified back yard shade tree mechanics and rocket scientists in training too!

But most of all we here pride ourselves in not only our personal bus builds but also in the way we reach out to help each other out.

Even when we don't have a direct answer to a particular problem most all folks here are willing to share their thoughts on what might and might not work.

The search button here holds the key to a wealth of information that I am sure will help you going forward. don't get caught up on "who is here today posting info" but dig deep, there is a ton of knowledge on this forum.

Your initial question was a good and valid question, rest assured if you continue to ask questions about your motor you WILL find some answers that will help you with the direction you seek.

Stay positive and welcome to the skoolie journey!

PS- I myself am a non certified shade tree mechanic who in over 20 years has yet to take any car, motorcycle, truck or bus to a shop for repairs. And thanks to many, many of the people here before me I have learned how to troubleshoot and repair my busses (2) and more importantly, fix my engine without going to a shop!

In return for all the help and support that I gotten here, I go way out of my way to provide factual docs on subject matter so that you can also learn and build a knowledge library.

Hang in there !!!
 
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I would start with the type of transmission you have. After that I would look at the injection pump. Some can be "turned up" to deliver more fuel. Diesels usually run very lean and adding more fuel can potentially give you the added 20- 30 HP your looking for. Good Luck and safe travels.
 
Just as Carl mentioned that some OEM transmissions can be specd for lower HP rated engine. So too can the Radiator be set up the same way (only for lower hp levels)

First thing I’d do is to install a mechanical coolant temp gauge AND most importantly a Exh gas temp gauge to see where you are now
 
Just as Carl mentioned that some OEM transmissions can be specd for lower HP rated engine. So too can the Radiator be set up the same way (only for lower hp levels)

First thing I’d do is to install a mechanical coolant temp gauge AND most importantly a Exh gas temp gauge to see where you are now
Good to know! I had to back off and keep it under 60mph while towing my fully loaded 30" trailer on a 90 degree day. I changed the coolant filter and T-stat but haven't towed with it since. When I was searching radiators I didn't see different cooling capacity ones listed. Can you guys suggest some good venders that would offer quality parts?
 

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