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Detroit Series 60 CAT C12 turbo K31 172253 front view

K31 172253 Turbocharger for Detroit Series 60 12.7L & Caterpillar C12

K31

The K31 is a BorgWarner turbocharger for the Detroit Diesel Series 60 12.7L and Caterpillar C12 engines, covering 360-430 HP applications from 1998-2007. The K31 features BorgWarner’s Forged Milled Wheel (FMW) compressor technology for improved durability and extended turbo life. BorgWarner part 172253/172743, Detroit OEM numbers include 23522312, 23526271, and 23526679. Our K31 ships new with all new components, dynamically balanced, with gaskets. We supply shops, fleets, and distributors.

Turbo Model

K31 (BorgWarner KKK, fixed geometry)

OEM / Interchange Numbers

23522312, 23526271, 23522190, 23526679, 714788-0001, 7147880001, 172743, 172253, 23526272

Application

Detroit Diesel Series 60 12.7L, Caterpillar C12 (360-430 HP, 1998-2007)

Service & Support

  • 1-Year Unlimited-Mileage Warranty
  • US Stock, Fast Dispatch
  • Bulk Orders Welcome
  • White-Label Support
  • Fully Certified
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FAQ

The K31 (172253/172743) fits the Detroit Diesel Series 60 12.7L and Caterpillar C12 engines in the 360-430 HP range. Detroit OEM numbers include 23522312, 23526271, 23522190, and 23526679.

The K31 covers 360-430 HP Detroit Series 60 applications. The S400 (171701) covers 450-475 HP. Different turbo frames for different power ratings.

Yes. The K31 fits both the Detroit Series 60 12.7L and the Caterpillar C12 engine at 430 HP.

Brand new, 100% new components with FMW compressor wheel, dynamically balanced. No core charge. One-year unlimited-mileage warranty.

Yes. US stock, volume pricing for shops, fleets, and distributors.

K31 for Detroit Series 60 and CAT C12: The 360-430 HP Workhorse

The K31 is the standard turbo for the lower-horsepower Detroit Series 60 12.7L and Caterpillar C12 engines. It fits a wide range of truck and industrial applications. The K31 and S400 (171701) are the two main turbos for the Series 60 12.7L — the K31 covers the 360-430 HP range, while the S400 covers 450-475 HP.

K31 vs S400 on the Detroit Series 60 12.7L

DetailK31 (this page)S400 (171701)
HP range360-430 HP450-475 HP
Turbo familyBorgWarner KKK K31BorgWarner S400
Key BW #172253 / 172743171701
CompressorFMW (Forged Milled)71mm inducer

Check your engine serial number and HP rating to determine which turbo you need.

Common failure modes

  • Bearing wear — the most common failure at 300k-500k miles on Series 60 trucks.
  • Compressor wheel damage — debris from failed charge-air cooler boots or air filter failures.
  • Oil seal failure — restricted oil drain or high crankcase pressure pushes oil past seals.

Installation

  • Direct bolt-on replacement. Ships with gaskets.
  • Flush oil feed line. Replace oil drain gasket.
  • Prime with clean oil, idle 3-5 minutes before loading.
  • Verify no air leaks in charge-air system after install.

See our quality process for details.

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