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WOW!! Banks-like upgrade to my 'old' Cummins 8.3
I (we! - she too is included) decided that we would 'upgrade' our 13 year-old DP rather than spend a lot more $$$ to get another (somewhat younger) rig. As you will note in our SIG below, it is a '97 Rexhall with the Cummins C8.3 engine - no computer or other gee-gaws, just a fuel pump and turbo to make it go!!
Long story shortened - it seemed I was pushing much too hard on the accelerator going up the grades – and also slowing down on the hills. I looked into a true BANKS up grade and the expected improvements are impressive – I priced the kit. But then here and elsewhere on the I’net, I found a similar upgrade kit with the same expectations (at a much less cost). So I ordered the less expensive kit. (But I was told: OH – we have not sold one of those in awhile, so it will take about 6 weeks to get the parts together! I replied OK.)
I have just taken delivery of my improved rig – What a Difference!! The kit is to provide a significant boost in both HP and torque – and it does!!
BUT – here is the ‘kicker’ – the previous owners (we have had it for the past 3 years) apparently did not provide the minimum of maintenance that the engine should have. (But the Cummins dealer- in the previous owners hometown - that did the checkout before purchase told me it was in great shape!
In the process of replacing the turbo, a significant exhaust rupture was identified – more time by the mechanic and more parts to replace! Then some bolts were very difficult to extract and one needed to be drilled and tapped.
OH – and there were no written instructions from the provider of the kit – just a video-tape of the procedure, using a different engine than the C8.3 the kit was for and in a pickup truck, not an RV!
Bottom line:
I am VERY happy with the improvement and even at the added cost, I consider it a good investment in our rig - which we intend to keep for many more years.
I found a SUPER diesel mechanic that really knows his stuff in Fort Worth TX. (PM me if you wish his name & contact details)
I paid for a less expensive kit that seems to provide the expected improvements.
Messing with the engine identified 3 added items that needed attention – and added to the cost.
I’m extremely happy with the results – much softer foot pedal for the same speed, slight improvement in MPG (first indication is about 1 MPG, towing 4-down on flat land) and SIGNIFICANT improvement in acceleration for entering the freeway or passing slow traffic on a 2-lane road.
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ccxnola
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06/11/11 05:03pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: What to do, what to do?
mcewena,
Here is one mans personal experience (and resulting perspective):
Buy the very best Diesel Pusher you can afford that meets your needs. Keep it well maintained and enjoy every mile and day with it - before and after you retire.
Why this view? Because I started out with a small trailer (and two small kids plus the Dear Wife). The it was a small gas 'A' (Does anyone remember the 'Honey'??) And after that another, larger A and finally a Fleetwood Limited 'A' - that was to be our last rig. BUT - a trip with another couple in their DP 'fixed' it for us, and we purchased the rig in my sig below. Not new or fancy - but it does have everything we need and want in a motorhome. PLUS, I am confident that with good maintenance on the Cummins, Spartain Chassis and the coach, the rig will outlast us. If I had it to do over again, the DP would have been the last purchase - first!!
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ccxnola
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05/25/11 12:47pm |
Beginning RVing
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