| Author | Message | ||
| Marc (Mps9000) (64.157.44.186)
Rating: N/A |
Hi all - I've been reading this BBS for some time now, and I figured it was time to jump into a thread. I'm just starting to convert a Blue Bird TC2000 (Yes, it's a skoolie). It will do almost 65 on flat highway (fast enough for me), but dies on the hills. The mechanic at the dealer said I could "turn the engine up", and I don't believe he was talking about the governor, which wouldn't help anyway, since the RPMs are already high enough. Does anyone know what he may have meant by "turn the engine up"? | ||
| jmaxwell (66.42.92.1) Rating: N/A |
Yes, they can reset the fuel pressure at the fuel pump to increase the hp on the 5.9. HP ranged from about 215 to a max of 325. The engine can be tuned to 300 hp with no problems and no loss of serviceability. Commonly done on engines prior to the electronic control models, which I believe started in '97. Usual charge is 350-500. Many Winnebego and Fleetwood models had the under-powered versions of the engine. I know of 3 or 4 people that had it done and were well pleased with the results. | ||
| Peter Aduskevich (Slowslowpete) (65.58.190.77)
Rating: N/A |
what do you consider (high enough)for rpm.? I figure you have a 545 allision with out a lock up converter. Peter | ||
| Marc (Mps9000) (67.25.120.132)
Rating: N/A |
I'm not sure what the exact RPMs are that it's set at. I've only driven it on the road once, and it's not yet registered. I do know that it has a 4.11 rear end and yes it has the Allison 545. Not sure on the converter. The reason I said the RPMs were high enough is that it is able to do around 64mph, and that's fast enough for me. Would increasing the RPMS give it a little more climbing ability? | ||
| Repoire (212.234.155.252)
Rating: N/A |
Accept the fact that its a bus not a sports car. Why people try to hotrod everything amazes me. You want more power? Install a BIGGER engine. Today I see people buying diesel pick up trucks and hotrodding the diesel engine till it breaks. Whats the use in buying a diesel if you comprimise the fuel saving aspects????? | ||
| Marc (Mps9000) (64.158.62.124)
Rating: N/A |
Jmaxwell - thank you for the valuable info. I had a feeling it had something to do with fuel pressure. BTW I am not interested in hotrodding with my bus. I just asked an innocent question and Mr (?) Maxwell gave me a much appreciated response. | ||
| Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj) (65.194.145.43)
Rating: N/A |
Hello Mark; I think I understand your problem. I have a 40- foot Crown Super Coach 3-axle 10-wheeler ex-schoolie that I hope to convert into that ultimate driver's motorhome. The problem is in the engine. Only have a non turboed 855 inch 250 hp big cam Cummins 'pancake' engine mounted admidships under the floor. The stripped chassis goes in at around 24950 pounds. She will go 85 mph in 10th gear (Fuller RTO 910 10-speed Roadranger tranny) on the flats right now, but simply dies on the hills. Not enough power now, or certainly when heavily converted. I want to boost the power of the Cummins. Certainly possible but most of the guts of the mill will need to be changed out, including the pistons, injectors, injector pump, fuel pump, cam and cam timing, the crank balancer, etc., etc.. I was giving a cost quote of around $5000 for converting my 250 hp mill into a 444 hp mill, NOT including about 20 hours labor. Because of this, I have decided to live with the marginal hill climbing performance. (6% grades at 30 to 35 mph tops!) What you wish to do with your 5.9 Cummins is certainly doable, only expensive and time comsuming. Also in your case, you would probably not be happy with the road gearing AND tranny performace, thus adding MORE $expense$ to get it right. The choice is yours. Good luck. | ||
| Marc (Mps9000) (67.25.123.45)
Rating: N/A |
Thank you for the insight! I will most likely do the same as you - live with it. It is a good solid engine. If it ain't broke, why fix it? When traveling leisurely in the bus, I'm not going to be in any hurry. It's not like I'm driving it to work every day! | ||
| FAST FRED (209.26.115.80) Rating: N/A |
http://www.dieselinjection.net/ Is a source of hop up info if you wish to shorten the service life of your engine. Todays concept is that an engine can only burn so much fuel , and that is its life . EX an engine that could run 150 HP and last 10,000 hours would be expected to live only 5000 hours at 300HP. Conversly if derated to 75HP & run at 1200rpm could be a 20,000 hour generator engine. MANY DD (8V92) that folks have great luck with in coaches , get "marine rated" and few last even 1000 hours. That's the price of speed for the gold teeth, gold chain , BIG FISH boys & it bothers them not a bit. But it might not make the best coach choice. FAST FRED | ||
| Johnny (67.242.221.91)
Rating: N/A |
There are plenty of Cummins ISB's (like yours) running 500+HP in daily-driven, regularly-flogged trucks with 200,000+ miles on them. Try http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ for any ISB stuff. | ||
| Johnny (67.242.221.91)
Rating: N/A |
Oh, yeah, one more thing: many owners report fuel mileage IMPROVING after a major tweaking. | ||
| Gary Carter (68.25.246.30) Rating: N/A |
In this case the problem is not turning up the engine, but keeping the transmision in one piece. The 545 is very light duty, so if you turn up the engine be prepared to upgrade the transmission for a 600 series or if lucky to find one a MT3060 world transmission. | ||
| Johnny (67.242.221.28)
Rating: N/A |
Myabe convert it to a nice, rugged Spicer 5+2? Maybe even a 10-speed Road ranger?  The first one is the driveline I WISH I had. |