I was hoping for something big to start the new year and this is what I found.

The Wartsila-Sulzer RTA96-C turbocharged two-stroke diesel engine is the most powerful and surprisingly the most efficient diesel today. The Aioi Works of Japan’s Diesel United, Ltd built this engine and it is available as an inline engine with 6 all the way up to 14 cylinder versions. This makes the Cummins inline 6 look like a go-kart engine….if it’s lucky. Obviously at 89ft. long, 44ft. high, and 2300 tons(14 cylinder version) you shouldn’t have to worry about running into one on the street though. This engine was designed primarily for very large container ships who favor single engine, single propeller designs.

The cylinder bore is almost 38″ and the stroke is just over 98″ which lets each cylinder displace 111,143 cubic inches and produce 7780 horsepower. The 14 cylinder version comes out to 1,556,002 cubic inches or 25,480L. The big 14 also makes 108,920hp and a 5,608,312ft-lbs. at only 102 rpms, and it is also its max power and torque.

Some may say it’s economical too. At max economy mode the engine exceeds 50% thermal efficiency. To put that in perspective most car and aircraft engines get about 25-30% thermal efficiency. That means that while in motion the RTA96-C converts over 50% of its fuel to motion. However, that still means 1,660 gallons an hour for the big 14 cylinder.

The top of the connecting rod doesn’t attach to the piston like a normal car engine, but to a “crosshead” which most likely is to help with sideways force.

How would you like to install these bearings?

Here’s the crankshaft from a 10 cylinder version sitting in the block.

This is the piston and piston rod assembly. At the bottom is where it connects to the crosshead.

This is the pistons and rods. The spikes are for injecting oil into the piston to keep it cool.

The first completed 12 Cylinder.