CATERPILLAR  
®  
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS  
In-line 6-Cylinder, 4-Stroke-Cycle Diesel  
Bore — in (mm)  .....................  5.4 (137)  
Stroke — in (mm)  ..................  6.75 (171)  
Displacement —  cu in (L)  ...........  928 (15.2)  
Aspiration  ...............  Series Turbocharged  
Compression Ratio  .....................  18.0:1  
Rotation (from flywheel end)  . . Counterclockwise  
Cooling System  
1  
—  gal (L)  ...........  5.8 (21.9)  
Lube Oil System (refill) —  gal (L)  .....  10.0 (38)  
Weight, Net Dry (approx) — lb (kg)  
with standard equipment  ........  2890 (1311)  
1  
Engine only. Capacity will vary with radiator size and use of cab heater.  
STANDARD EQUIPMENT  
Cooling: gear-driven water pump, oil cooler  
Crankcase breather  
Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (required)  
Electronic Control Module (ECM)  
Electronic Data Link, ATA/SAE  
Electronically Controlled Unit Injection Fuel  
System  
Fan drive mounting bracket  
Fuel — spin-on secondary filter, transfer pump  
Gear-driven jacket water pump  
Governor — full-range electronically controlled  
Lifting eyes  
Lubrication: gear-driven pump, front or rear  
sump pan, full flow spin-on filter, oil filler, oil  
level gauge (dipstick)  
Pad mount air conditioner compressor  
Pad mount alternator  
SAE No. 1 flywheel housing  
Series Turbochargers  
Vibration damper  
ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT  
Air compressors — gear driven 15.7cfm or 31cfm  
Air inlet elbows  
Alternator (12 Volt-115 Amp)  
Automatic transmission adapter  
Auxiliary pulleys and drives  
BrakeSaver (hydraulic retarder) — front or rear  
sump  
Cat  
®  
Compression Brake, 12V or 24V  
Coolant conditioner, dry-charge  
Exhaust couplings  
Fan drive mounting bracket  
Flywheel  
Front engine support  
Fuel priming pump  
Optional turbocharger mounting locations  
Primary fuel filter  
Sound suppression panels — block  
Starting motor: 12V or 24V  
Turbocharger compressor outlet elbow  
LEHT8893-00  Page 1 of 5  
Shown with  
Optional Equipment  
On-Highway  
Diesel Engine  
with ACERT  
®  
Technology  
C15  
435-550 hp @ 2100 rpm  
1550-1850 lb-ft @  
1200 rpm Peak Torque  
DIMENSIONS  
57.0 in  
(1448 mm)  
41.7 in  
(1059 mm)  
54.0 in  
(1373 mm)  
54.0 in  
(1373 mm)  
 
 
LEHT8893-00  Page 2 of 5  
C15  
ON-HIGHWAY  DIESEL ENGINE — 435 hp  
PERFORMANCE DATA  
Operating Range (rpm)  .............  1200–2100  
Governed Speed — rpm  ..................  2100  
Advertised hp (kW)  ..................  435 (324)  
Max hp (kW)  ........................  450 (336)  
Peak Torque — lb-ft (N•m)  .........  1550 (2102 )  
Peak Torque — rpm ......................  1200  
Torque rise (%)  ............................  43  
Altitude Capability — ft (m)  .......  10,000 (3048)  
Operating Range (rpm)  .............  1200–2100  
Governed Speed — rpm  .................  2100  
Advertised hp (kW)  ..................  435 (324)  
Max hp (kW)  ........................  450 (336)  
Peak Torque — lb-ft (N•m)  .........  1650 (2238)  
Peak Torque — rpm  .....................  1200  
Torque rise (%)  ............................  52  
Altitude Capability — ft (m) .......  10,000 (3048)  
1100  900  1300  1500  1700  1900  2100  
Engine Speed rpm  
435 hp (324 kW)  
300  
350  
Torque  
lb-ft  
Power  
bhp  
950  
500  
550  
1100  
1550  
1700  
1850  
1250  
1400  
400  
450  
PERFORMANCE CURVES  
1100  900  1300  1500  1700  1900  2100  
Engine Speed rpm  
435 hp (324 kW)  
300  
350  
Torque  
lb-ft  
Power  
bhp  
950  
500  
550  
1100  
1550  
1700  
1850  
1250  
1400  
400  
450  
PERFORMANCE DATA  
Operating Range (rpm)  .............  1200–2100  
Governed Speed — rpm  .................  2100  
Advertised hp (kW)  ..................  435 (324)  
Max hp (kW)  ........................  450 (336)  
Peak Torque — lb-ft (N•m) ..  1550/1750 (2102/2373 )  
Peak Torque — rpm ......................  1200  
Torque rise (%)  .........................  43/61  
Altitude Capability — ft (m)  .......  10,000 (3048)  
PERFORMANCE CURVES  
1100  900  1300  1500  1700  1900  2100  
Engine Speed rpm  
435 hp MT (324 kW)  
300  
350  
Torque  
lb-ft  
Power  
bhp  
950  
500  
550  
1100  
1550  
1700  
1850  
1250  
1400  
400  
450  
 
 
LEHT8893-00  Page 3 of 5  
C15  
ON-HIGHWAY  DIESEL ENGINE — 435 to 500 hp  
PERFORMANCE DATA  
Operating Range (rpm)  .............  1200–2100  
Governed Speed — rpm  .................  2100  
Advertised hp (kW)  ..................  475 (354)  
Max hp (kW)  ........................  490 (365)  
Peak Torque — lb-ft (N•m)  .........  1650 (2238 )  
Peak Torque — rpm ......................  1200  
Torque rise (%)  ............................  39  
Altitude Capability — ft (m)  .......  10,000 (3048)  
Operating Range (rpm)  .............  1200–2100  
Governed Speed — rpm  .................  2100  
Advertised hp (kW)  ..................  500 (373)  
Max hp (kW)  ........................  515 (384)  
Peak Torque — lb-ft (N•m)  .........  1650 (2238)  
Peak Torque — rpm  .....................  1200  
Torque rise (%)  ............................  32  
Altitude Capability — ft (m) .......  10,000 (3048)  
1100  900  1300  1500  1700  1900  2100  
Engine Speed rpm  
475 hp (354 kW)  
300  
350  
Torque  
lb-ft  
Power  
bhp  
950  
500  
550  
1100  
1550  
1700  
1850  
1250  
1400  
400  
450  
PERFORMANCE CURVES  
1100  900  1300  1500  1700  1900  2100  
Engine Speed rpm  
500 hp (373 kW)  
300  
350  
Torque  
lb-ft  
Power  
bhp  
950  
500  
550  
1100  
1550  
1700  
1850  
1250  
1400  
400  
450  
PERFORMANCE DATA  
Operating Range (rpm)  .............  1200–2100  
Governed Speed — rpm  .................  2100  
Advertised hp (kW)  ..................  475 (354)  
Max hp (kW)  ........................  490 (365)  
Peak Torque — lb-ft (N•m) ..  1650/1850 (2238/2508 )  
Peak Torque — rpm ......................  1200  
Torque rise (%)  .........................  39/56  
Altitude Capability — ft (m)  .......  10,000 (3048)  
Operating Range (rpm)  .............  1200–2100  
Governed Speed — rpm  .................  2100  
Advertised hp (kW)  ..................  435 (324)  
Max hp (kW)  ........................  515 (384)  
Peak Torque — lb-ft (N•m)  ..  1550/1650 (2102/2238)  
Peak Torque — rpm  .....................  1200  
Torque rise (%)  .........................  43/32  
Altitude Capability — ft (m) .......  10,000 (3048)  
1  
Oil well service rating only  
1100  900  1300  1500  1700  1900  2100  
Engine Speed rpm  
475 hp MT (354 kW)  
300  
350  
Torque  
lb-ft  
Power  
bhp  
950  
500  
550  
1100  
1550  
1700  
1850  
1250  
1400  
400  
450  
PERFORMANCE CURVES  
1100  900  1300  1500  1700  1900  2100  
Engine Speed rpm  
435/500 hp MT (324/373 kW)  
1  
300  
350  
Torque  
lb-ft  
Power  
bhp  
950  
500  
550  
1100  
1550  
1700  
1850  
1250  
1400  
400  
450  
 
 
LEHT8893-00  Page 4 of 5  
C15  
ON-HIGHWAY  DIESEL ENGINE — 475 to 550 hp  
PERFORMANCE DATA  
Operating Range (rpm)  .............  1200–2100  
Governed Speed — rpm  ..................  2100  
Advertised hp (kW)  ..................  475 (354)  
Max hp (kW)  ........................  490 (365)  
Peak Torque — lb-ft (N•m)  .........  1850 (2509 )  
Peak Torque — rpm ......................  1200  
Torque rise (%)  ............................  56  
Altitude Capability — ft (m)  .......  10,000 (3048)  
Operating Range (rpm)  .............  1200–2100  
Governed Speed — rpm  ..................  2100  
Advertised hp (kW)  ..................  500 (373)  
Max hp (kW)  ........................  515 (384)  
Peak Torque — lb-ft (N•m)  .........  1850 (2509)  
Peak Torque — rpm  .....................  1200  
Torque rise (%)  ............................  48  
Altitude Capability — ft (m) .......  10,000 (3048)  
1100  900  1300  1500  1700  1900  2100  
Engine Speed rpm  
475 hp (354 kW)  
300  
350  
Torque  
lb-ft  
Power  
bhp  
950  
500  
550  
1100  
1550  
1700  
1850  
1250  
1400  
400  
450  
PERFORMANCE CURVES  
1100  900  1300  1500  1700  1900  2100  
Engine Speed rpm  
500 hp (373 kW)  
300  
350  
Torque  
lb-ft  
Power  
bhp  
950  
500  
550  
1100  
1550  
1700  
1850  
1250  
1400  
400  
450  
PERFORMANCE DATA  
Operating Range (rpm)  .............  1200–2100  
Governed Speed — rpm  ..................  2100  
Advertised hp (kW)  ..................  550 (410)  
Max hp (kW)  ........................  550 (410)  
Peak Torque — lb-ft (N•m)  .........  1850 (2509 )  
Peak Torque — rpm ......................  1200  
Torque rise (%)  ............................  40  
Altitude Capability — ft (m)  .......  10,000 (3048)  
PERFORMANCE CURVES  
1100  900  1300  1500  1700  1900  2100  
Engine Speed rpm  
550 hp (410 kW)  
300  
350  
Torque  
lb-ft  
Power  
bhp  
950  
500  
550  
1100  
1550  
1700  
1850  
1250  
1400  
400  
450  
 
 
C15  
ON-HIGHWAY  DIESEL ENGINE — 435 to 550 hp  
Materials and specifications are subject to change without notice. The International System of Units (SI) is used in this publication.  
CAT, CATERPILLAR, their respective logos, ACERT, “Caterpillar Yellow” and the POWER EDGE trade dress, as well as  
corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.  
LEHT8893-00 (8-08)  ©2008 Caterpillar  
All rights reserved.  
P erformance  is based on SAE J1995 standard  
conditions of 29.61 in. Hg (100 kPa) and 77° F  
(25° C).  
The curves shown are for a standard engine  
without fan, but equipped with air compressor  
and fuel, lubricating oil, and water pumps.  
RATING DEFINITIONS AND CONDITIONS  
GEARING CONSIDERATIONS  
The C15 On-Highway Diesel Engine offers a wide  
operating range and high torque rise, which  
promotes the use of transmissions with fewer  
gears. Even with this built-in feature, heavy/  
specialty haulers must remember their trucks  
should be geared to achieve the appropriate  
compromise between startability and desired  
road speed. The general principal drivers should  
follow is that of the “gear fast, run slow”strategy  
to achieve optimal performance. For the best  
balance of performance and fuel economy, spec  
axle ratios and tire sizes according to the following:  
•  80,000 lb GCW or less  
Less than 1750 lb-ft:  
1400 rpm @ 65 mph (105 km/h)  
1750 lb-ft and above:  
1325 rpm @ 65 mph (105 km/h)  
•  90,000 lb GCW or more  
1500 – 1600 rpm @ cruise speed  
Multi-Torque:  
•  80,000 lb GCW or less  
435-hp, 1550/1750 lb-ft:  
1325 rpm @ 65 mph (105 km/h)  
475-hp, 1650/1850 lb-ft:  
1325 rpm @ 65 mph (105 km/h)  
Maximum recommended engine speed at cruise  
is  1500 rpm.  
The minimum startability requirements are 10%  
for pick-up and delivery, 14% for linehaul, 20%  
for on/off highway, and 25% for off-highway. At  
peak torque rpm in top gear, the recommended  
gradeability is 1.8% (1.5% minimum). At cruise  
speed in top gear, 1.0% is the ideal gradeability.  
To optimize your truck’s performance  
characteristics, a computerized spec’ing tool  
called Design Pro is offered by your Caterpillar  
dealer. It calculates effects of various driveline  
variables on engine operation such as  
transmissions, axles, and tires. This analysis  
allows you to verify that your truck’s driveline  
specifications are best suited to your application.  
ELECTRONIC FEATURES  
■  
Real time clock with date and time  
stamping of critical events  
■  
Electronic self-diagnostics  
■  
Electronically tabulated total fuel  
consumption, hours, idle time, and miles  
■  
Battery backup  
■  
Quick stop recorder  
■  
Compatible with Caterpillar Electronic  
Technician (ET)  
■  
Cold weather startup strategy and  
electronic idle control functions  
■  
ECM storage of operational, maintenance,  
diagnostic codes and diagnostic data  
■  
J1939 compatible  
■  
Customer selectable, re-programmable  
operational parameters:  
- Adjustable low idle rpm  
- Automated Transmission compatibility  
- Cooling fan control  
- Cruise control with exclusive Soft Cruise  
- Customer password protection  
- Engine Monitoring System — warning,  
derate, or shutdown  
- Enhanced theft deterrent and secure idle  
(Cat Messenger or Pocket Tec required)  
- Fleet Information Software capability  
- Idle shutdown timer & override  
- Maintenance monitor [miles (km) or hours]  
- OEM parameter lockout  
- Progressive shifting and gear down  
protection  
- Vehicle speed [mph (km/h)] limiting and  
protection  
■  
Programmable Power Take-Off (PTO)  
functions:  
- Adjustable maximum engine rpm speed  
- Adjustable minimum engine rpm speed  
- Adjustable ramp rate up or down  
between PTO set speed(s)  
- Adjustable rpm “bump” intervals  
- Adjustable speed control [mph (km/h)] of  
vehicle while in PTO mode  
- Limit engine torque to driven equipment  
- Multi-speed PTO set speed capability  
- Kick-out vehicle speed limit  
- Selectable PTO configuration for “in cab”  
or station of remote operation  
 
 
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