Twelve of those rigs at $170,000 each
That's a amazing amount of $. That has to be hard to pencil out, those trucks have to really be moving.
As far as the Hp. I really don't care as much about HP as Torque. Of course that's gibberish to some of them, but at least here people understand that. When I had my 12.7 ecm checked, I had the option to change it from 470 at the pedal to 500 (like the cruise offers you). But the torque curve stays the same, at either rating. So I just had them leave it alone.
That's why when someone talks about a 350 hp motor, I want to know what exactly we're talking about. I find a lot of difference between a M11 at 350, and a big cam/ N14 or 3406 that's set at 350 hp.
My area is all short steep hills, and my 6-71 has all it wants and then some moving around 80,000lbs of crane. Like 3rd gear walking up hills. 350-400hp is still in its future- when I have time (which I've been saying for like 7 years).
I do drive around my 25 ton's with 8.3 cummins (50,000lb machine), and that isn't too bad with 250 hp, I like them much better now then when they had 3208's- and that's just the torque difference. All the dump truck guys need 400-500hp to run around that kind of weight, but they're getting paid by the load, I charge by the hour.
I suggested he replace his 3208 with a smaller rated 6V92
Did you mean a 6v53 instead of a 3208? they would be about a even swap, the 6v92 would be quite a bit bigger in physical size. my 25's were offered factory with 3208, 555 cummins or 6v53, but I don't think there's any way a 6v92 would fit in there, but he may have a bunch more room in the drilling rig.