Originally introduced in 1992 with mechanical fuel injection, the Caterpillar 3412 model was relaunched at the 1996 Miami Boat Show with electronic fuel injection. At that time the 27-liter V-12 diesel engine had a maximum power output of 969 kW (1318 PS) at 2,300 rpm at the Caterpillar E pleasure rating.


The power output of an electronically fuel injected engine depends very much on the programming of the "chip" that tells the microprocessor how to react to all the input parameters used to control the fuel injection. The closer the programmed chip bears to actual engine use, the greater the opportunity to "adjust" the engine output to match the requirements of the engine application. Caterpillar has found that the 3412C engine is proving popular with high-performance recreational boat users and for that reason, has brought out a 3412C version with a Caterpillar EHP rating of 1,350 horsepower (1,007 kW) at 2,300 rpm for recreational applications only. The EHP model produces a further 38 kW (51 horsepower) more than the standard E rating model and will be available during the second quarter of 1997.


A major consideration when increasing the power output of an engine is to ensure adequate cooling capacity under all circumstances. In the 3412 high-performance version, much care was paid to the subject of air bubbles forming in the cooling system. Bubbles act as an insulator between surface and coolant, permitting local hot-spots, and it can cause cavitation in the water pump, reducing flow and consequently cooling efficiency. The 3412 features a "de-aerator" that removes air trapped in the cooling fluid. Unlike the more usual surge-expansion tanks used to remove air bubbles, the de-arators operate on a centrifuge principal whereby a swirling action forces the coolant to the outside and the air bubbles to the center, where they are removed.