Detroit Diesel Generators
Legacy two-stroke and Series 60 engines — discontinued but still heavily encountered in the field service fleet
Why buyers choose Detroit Diesel
- Massive installed base — 71 and 92 Series two-stroke engines still in service worldwide
- Series 60 was the most popular heavy-duty diesel of its era (1987-2010s)
- Parts availability — aftermarket support remains strong due to fleet size
- Modern successor: MTU (Rolls-Royce Power Systems) for new installations
Who Detroit Diesel is for
Field service and maintenance of existing Detroit Diesel generator fleet. NOT for new installations — direct buyers to MTU.
What to consider before specifying Detroit Diesel
- Brand discontinued — no new generator production
- Two-stroke engines (71/92 Series) have higher oil consumption and emissions
- OEM parts increasingly replaced by aftermarket alternatives
- Technician pool shrinking as two-stroke expertise retires
Detroit Diesel generators occupy a unique position in the power generation market: no longer manufactured, but far from obsolete. The company's two-stroke engines — the 71-series (1938-1995) and 92-series (1974-1995) — were legendary for their mechanical simplicity, repairability, and near-indestructible construction. Tens of thousands of Detroit Diesel-powered generators remain in service at commercial buildings, industrial plants, and military installations across North America.
The two-stroke design is Detroit Diesel's defining characteristic. Where most diesel engines complete a power cycle in four strokes, Detroit's 71 and 92 series engines do it in two — producing more power per displacement at the cost of higher fuel consumption and oil use. For standby generator applications where fuel economy matters less than reliability and starting speed, this trade-off was ideal. A Detroit two-stroke generator can sit idle for years and start reliably, partly because the engine has fewer moving parts to fail.
The Series 60 (1987-2011) was Detroit Diesel's transition to four-stroke technology — an inline-6 available in 11.1L, 12.7L, and 14.0L displacements producing 200-515 kW in generator applications. Series 60 generators are common in the 300-500 kW commercial range and represent the newest Detroit Diesel units still in service. Today, the lineage continues through MTU Series 2000 and 4000 engines, which power modern Rolls-Royce Power Systems (formerly MTU Onsite Energy) generator sets.
Frequently asked questions
- Are Detroit Diesel generators still made?
- No. Detroit Diesel was acquired by Daimler in 2000 and the generator line was absorbed into MTU Onsite Energy (now Rolls-Royce Power Systems). No new Detroit Diesel-branded generators are produced. However, the massive installed base of 71-series, 92-series, and Series 60 powered generators is still actively serviced and rebuilt.
- What is the difference between the 71-series and 92-series Detroit Diesel?
- Both are two-stroke diesels — a design unique to Detroit Diesel. The number represents cubic inches per cylinder. A 6-71 has six cylinders at 71 ci each (426 ci total); an 8V-92 has eight cylinders at 92 ci each (736 ci total). The 92-series is newer, more powerful per cylinder, and somewhat more fuel-efficient. Both are renowned for durability and simplicity.
- Where do I get parts for a Detroit Diesel generator?
- MTU/Rolls-Royce Power Systems dealers carry OEM parts for Series 60 and some 92-series components. For 71-series and older 92-series parts, aftermarket specialists like Diesel Pro Power, ATL Diesel, and Highway & Heavy Parts are primary sources. The two-stroke design's mechanical simplicity means many components can be rebuilt rather than replaced.
Key specs at a glance
- Power range
- 175–500 kW standby
- Fuel types
- diesel
- Engine OEMs
- Detroit Diesel
- Alternator OEMs
- Phase options
- 3-phase
- Models in library
- 4
Detroit Diesel Units For Sale54
View all →Application Engineering
Not sure if Detroit Diesel is right for your project?
Our engineers spec across 14 brands and 600+ models — diesel, gaseous, portable, and prime power — with no single-brand obligation.
Need help with Detroit Diesel?
Our application engineers help size, spec, and source backup power for commercial, industrial, and mission-critical sites.