| Author | Message | ||
| NEO/Russ (66.83.53.142) Rating: |
Months ago there was a thread about upgrading DDEC's. I pulled a '93 Series 60 out of a Freightliner that I have made this change to, so this tale is not a guessing game or opinions like the last posts had within them. For those who are interested, following is what must be done: 1. Used ECM (easy, got one off E bay for $275). 2. Two used engines harnesses. (got from a blown engine - $100) 3. Reliabuilt injectors. (not cheap $1700) 4. New crank pulse wheel, 36 instead of 6 bumps ($45) 5. Reliabuilt Bull Gear (again, not cheap $790) 6. New air temp sensor for intake. 7. New (but could have reused old with new connector) water temp sensor for the main harness. ($58) The above would have been enough to just change to the DDEC IV. I needed this change to be able to link to my B500 transmission that won't work with the DDEC II. However I also wanted to raise the hp from 365/400 to a full 500. That required the following: 1. The injectors (#5237045) were the 500 hp versions. 2. The ECM was reprogrammed to the specs I wanted $1200 more because I started with a new and unprogrammed ECM. 3. New 500 hp camshaft. ($650) 4. Reliabuilt wastegate turbo. ($1200) The Detroit dealers I have used have been helpful to a point. They get tight lipped when you talk parts swapping between not wanting to blow up your engine, or increase pollution, they have been taught to be cautious. Since I'm replacing an 8V-92 in an '81 coach, the pollution issue doesn't bother them because this engine will be much less. But when I tried to get the firetruck 615 hp serial numbers, part numbers and ECM programming, I ran into stone walls. I also needed to get the truck package to fit into my engine compartment. That required lengthing the rear of the bus a foot (I needed 6" and could have shortened driveshaft but, chose not to for vibrations) the modifying of one small top frame member and the following parts: 1. Used two piece cam cover. (off blown engine) 2. New low profile oil pan, pick up and braces. 3. New motor mountings (used Prevost for S 60, not cheap)and made my own steel mounts and new cradle. I hope this takes some of the mystery out of this change for anyone wondering. It wasn't hard, took a lot of calls and visits to dealer. Mechanically a 7 on a 1-10 scale. | ||
| two dogs (66.90.217.135) Rating: N/A |
WHEEEW....lots of work.....how does it perform ? | ||
| NEO/Russ (66.83.53.142) Rating: N/A |
Two Dogs, Like most conversions, the drivetrain and suspension get rebuilt before the conversion, so I've still a long hill to climb before I try a 0-60 reading. Basically, I expect it'll run just like the 2002 Prevost that I pulled the specs from, duplicate drivetrain. 45,000# and 25ft closed car/toy box behind will need all the grunt I can dig up. Like streetrods I've built before; it's a labor of love and doing it my way. Russ | ||
| two dogs (66.90.217.135) Rating: N/A |
Atta boy Russ...GO....keep us posted...street is neat... | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (65.37.90.230)
Rating: N/A |
Russ, I am assuming by your "handle" that this is going in a Neoplan? There was a kit available to do this conversion from DDEC II to IV and one was on Ebay a few weeks ago. It didn't have the extra stuff you are doing to yours, just the computer change over. When I inquired about connecting a Series 60 DDEC II and a World tranny, I was told it would go together but I would have to have a hand made wiring loom, read very expensive. Quoted: Shifter at $1000, ECM preprogammed at $4300, wiring loom (not including the handmade part) at $1500. The supply and installation quotes I got from quite a few different places was around the $23,000 mark and that was for a rebuilt tranny as new ones are apparently very hard to find. I have resolved myself to looking for a HT 750 CR which is the 5 speed but with the same low gear as the 740, and changing the rear end to a 2.80 from a 3.91. Hopefully this will get me close to the manual ratios I have in my Freightliner FLD 120. Good luck with your venture and do keep us informed of how it's going. Peter. | ||
| NEO/Russ (66.83.53.142) Rating: N/A |
Peter, Yes, I'm converting a Neoplan, an '81 Skyliner. For those that don't know the models, that's a 40' double decker. It had a 445hp 8V-92 with a 747R. The kit you referred to on e-bay was for a 6V-92 upgrade, a friend of mine was selling it and it would not work on my S 60. I learned the same about connecting the World to a DDEC II. Also ECM's and parts for the DDEC II are getting harder to come by. I also had to buy a shifter, ECM and programming for my B500R and I'm looking for a harness. There also is an accumulator and cooler I bought to complete the installation. I didn't pay nearly that much for everything as the total you found. Get ahold of James at www.XXXchevycowboy2901@sbcglobal.net (remove XXX's)and tell him Russ sent you. He's been very helpful with Allison and Detroit parts, he's got an excellent network of users, trucking lines and shops to draw from. Plus a great guy! I have a 4.20 ratio, that should put me in the right rpm range with the .64 O.D. The FLD120 I stripped had a 3.9, but don't remember the top gear in the tranny. However, that was a day cab pulling a flatbed of steel, I should be lighter. Almost everything is a bolt up, it's just a matter of getting manuals, asking questions and understanding the new terms. The only difficult part is finding the crank drive spindle for a PTO (no, not the one I have listed on e bay) that will adapt my old crank pulley to keep my fans turning the right rpm. Looks like I'll spend a few days on the lathe whittling a 6"dia. block of steel. Let us know what you run into also, good luck with getting your HT 750 CR. Russ |
