| Author | Message | ||
| Tim (Timkar)
Registered Member Username: Timkar Post Number: 109 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.64.223.203 Rating: N/A |
Just looking for informed opinions. 1988 Prevost XL..Choice between an 8V71N with a 6 spd standard or an 8V92 with a 5 spd allison. Both have approx same miles on them and are in the same type of condition. Which drivetrain would you prefer and why? | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 563 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 76.91.197.153 Rating: N/A |
The 92 will provide considerably more power, and will run more economically than the 71 within the total hp output of the 71. Beyond 300 hp, you will pay for the power with lower mpg. The auto is easier to drive, but causes some mileage penalty. I would take the 92. George | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 472 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 208.100.193.24 Rating: N/A |
Resale is easier/faster to a newbee with the slushpump. Both engines will produce about the same power per gallon of diesel/hour. The difference will be in engine longevity , repair coats and of course fuel use with the slushpump. Convienant in heavy traffic , but its a luxury you do pay for. FF | ||
| Ed Roelle (Ed_roelle)
Registered Member Username: Ed_roelle Post Number: 66 Registered: 3-2005 Posted From: 98.209.249.151 Rating: N/A |
To me,the answer is easy. 8V92 (assume turbo) and automatic. Automatic for ease of more people driving and turbo for better mountain performance. Ed Roelle Flint, MI | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1422 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.166.160  Rating: N/A |
Tim - Just think of Tim Allen's favorite comment when talking about tools on the old "Home Improvement" TV show: "MORE POWER" | ||
| john degemis (Degemis)
Registered Member Username: Degemis Post Number: 25 Registered: 3-2008 Posted From: 68.113.38.16  Rating: N/A |
I have a 1992 Prevost XL. It has the 8V-92TA with automatic and I love it. It is so worth the extra fule cost if there is any. | ||
| Tim (Timkar)
Registered Member Username: Timkar Post Number: 110 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.64.223.203 Rating: N/A |
Thanks guys. There are two units with silver 8V92TA engines in them. Wondering if anyone has access to DD lists? The first engine has a Reliabuilt tag which has a model # of 8087-7850 serial number is 8FF4941 and a build date of 01/03 (would that be 2001 or 2003?) The other unit has an model of 8087-7800 and a serial number of 8VF090792* stamped in to the block. I can decode the model numbers except for the first one which has a variation with the 50 suffix. Any idea what the "star" designation signifies after the serial number of the second one? Thanks again | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 541 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.57.23 Rating: N/A |
Tim, the 7850 is a design variation on the reliabulit engine it has a bypass blower Reliabuilt did that with all engines if any thing was changed and that would be Jan 2003 rebuild and the * is nothing they all had that when new good luck | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 474 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 208.100.193.92 Rating: N/A |
"It is so worth the extra fuel cost if there is any." As a guess its the difference between 6 to 7 1/2 with the stick and 5 1/2 or 6 with the slush pump. Of course on either engine how heavy your foot is will also change the cost per mile. A 1 1/2 mpg difference in your Yugo doesn't amount to much , but it could be a 25% difference in fuel use. Again the miles per year would be a key , a 5000 mile coach annual vs a 15,000 of use would be large cash! With $4.00+ diesel. Do it your way. It is doubtful that either coaches have rebuilt engines due to wearing out , actually driving 300,000+ miles of bus camping. Most likely the engines were destroyed by improper service , a lack of proper procedures in storage. Since the rebuilds , what service improvements have there been that you wont be stuck purchasing yet another engine rebuild? FF (Message edited by FAST FRED on September 21, 2008) | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1363 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.132.24  Rating: N/A |
If you've never driven commercially, go with the automatic and 8V92. If you have driven commercially, why would you want to be changing any more gears? Left knees don't last forever.... If the difference in fuel economy is an issue, don't buy a coach. You won't be able to afford to maintain it properly either. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 341 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 209.183.55.46  Rating: N/A |
Hey Tim, I went and saw Ray Sell and your old Eagle yesterday. My mouth dropped when I saw all the parts in the bays...Especially when I saw the aluminum strips for covering the seams...He is so happy and grateful to have it...Good Job Tim! | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1202 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9  Rating: N/A |
Good luck finding someone that will want that model with a standard trans. Seems like few know what a clutch is used for these days in a coach. There's a good chance even Fred would prefer an automatic if it could be magically be there with a snap of the fingers. If you are concerned about fuel mileage, get a car. When some 4wd pickups get ten mpg, I think coaches do pretty decent for the weight of the bigger ones. Try juggling a coach with a standard transmission in a tight area or start out on a steep hill or back up a grade. Clutch replacements are very expensive too, esp on ones with inline drive trains. | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
One very important point here- if you live in the east, then either engine will do. But if you come out west-like Colorado with a 11,000ft pass-you'll be lucky to get over the pass with the 8V-71N-and be smoking lots of black smoke. Compared to the 8V-92TA that will just waltz over the pass with little regard to the altitude with its' turbocharger. Course from my own experience, you could turbocharge the 8V-71 and get good results too. But go with the 92 series. Just watch your coolant acidity-as you should with any Diesel with wet liners (71 series, 3126 Cat, ISB Cummins, 3208 Cat either have dry or no liners). Good Luck, TomC | ||
| Moe Hollow (Moehollow)
Registered Member Username: Moehollow Post Number: 52 Registered: 12-2007 Posted From: 71.102.20.26 Rating: N/A |
I have an 8v71 with a Spicer. It is okay but if, as someone said, I could magically put an automatic in its place, I would wave the wand. If you love standard transmissions, get that one. But if you are used to driving automatics, don't think you will all of a sudden discover that shifting has been what's missing in your life. The more powerful engine can use more fuel, but you can control that with how you drive. However, it is nice to have extra power in reserve. I once did get stuck on a hill; you do not want that. | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 203 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 75.163.187.39  Rating: N/A |
"One very important point here- if you live in the east, then either engine will do. But if you come out west-like Colorado with a 11,000ft pass-you'll be lucky to get over the pass with the 8V-71N-and be smoking lots of black smoke" Tom even though I live in the East (Atlanta) I would like to visit parts of the West like Colorado. I have a 6-71 NA with a 5 speed do you think I will have issues??? I had assumed my rig would handle it at very reduced speeds in a very low gear but would like a real world opinion. | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 542 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.57.23 Rating: N/A |
Tim Brandt, bring it on I have a friend that has a 6V53 in a 04 Eagle with the 6 speed zf manual and he is all over these mountains with no problems just a little slow on some like the Beartooth 10,950 ft good luck (Message edited by luvrbus on September 23, 2008) | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 204 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 75.163.187.39 Rating: N/A |
Luvrbus, Thanks for the encouragement!! I am so new to being a busnut that I am very cautious about getting into situations I am not certain the bus can handle or not. I figure better to learn slowly than try to charge up a grade that is too steep and get stuck with no other option but to back down  | ||
| Tim (Timkar)
Registered Member Username: Timkar Post Number: 111 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 24.64.223.203 Rating: N/A |
Hi Guys...I didn't make it to the auction but here is what the units went for: 1988 Prevost XL 8V92 5spdauto $11000 1988 Prevost XL 8V92 5spdauto $9000-(Reliabuilt 2003 engine) 1988 Prevost XL 8V71 5spd std $7000 1988 Prevost Astral 8V71 5 spd std $4800 Paul..Glad to hear Ray is happy about the bus. Wasn't the right time for me as I may be retiring and moving in a few months. Hoping to find another one after we get some "retirement" travelling done in the sticks and staples and get settled in our new place. All the best...Tim | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 20 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
Your Flx with the 6-71 and 5spd is a lot lighter then my AMGeneral 40ft'r (31,000lb-nearly 35,000lb with the car behind). Especially with the extra 5th gear over most with 4spds, you should be alright. Just be ready for some 20mph pulls. Sit back and just enjoy the scenery. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1364 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.68.122.77 Rating: N/A |
There is a bit of exaggeration in here regarding the suggestion there are hills a bus won't negotiate. We don't want the less experienced folks getting it in their heads that they need a giant motor to go to the mountains!!!! If you are in some backwoods campground where the road goes straight up and you are at docking speed, the manual transmission folks might run into some issues, as the first gear is rather tall in many coaches. If you are on anything that resembles a proper highway, and rolling along, all of our coaches will make it over the top, some a little slower than others, all of them at less than top speed. The condition of your cooling system, the skill at down shifting the manual transmission, and the various strategies to descend the other side safely... are another few threads entirely! happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 115 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 75.205.78.141 Rating: |
If you ever get stopped on a steep grade with a manual trans here is an easy way out. If possible let the bus roll back while turning it sidways to the grade. Then get satarted by letting the clutch out when you are sideways to the hill to get started. Even if you can't get completly sideways at a 45 degree angle it cuts the grade by 50%. It works remmmarkably easy, if you have the room and traffic allowing. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1204 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9 Rating: N/A |
What REALLY sucks is to get somewhere where you are forced to back up a grade in a GM with a 4 speed manual. I know that nobody would go where this could happen, but s**t happens.Good suggestion Joe. |
