Ags Mercedes transmission...

[robertglines1]

have chance to buy one,low miles....any experience with them?

[TomC]

AGS stands for Automated Gear Shift transmission.  It is made in four versions all 6spd- two direct top gear and two overdrive top gear with either 520lb/ft torque or 660lb/ft torque on both versions.  They are made to ONLY work with the Mercedes Benz 900 engine.  So with the 520lb/ft, you'd use either the 190hp or 210 hp, and the 660lb/ft torque version you'd use either the 230hp or 250hp version.  Either way you slice it, not enough power for a full sized bus.  Maybe a repower for a 4104 or a MC5 is the max I'd go.  Urge you to look at either the Eaton Fuller Autoshift (with a clutch pedal) available in 10spd (up to 1850lb/ft torque) or the 18spd (available up to 2250lb/ft torque).  Or the Eaton Fuller Ultrashift (without a clutch pedal) available in either a 10spd or 13spd up to 1650lb/ft torque.  Any of these engines will work with an electronic engine.  Good Luck, TomC

[robertglines1]

Thanks Tom...would not do the job behind a 60 series....I was thinking about a cheaper way than the B500...Maybe the mistake was Thinking!!!!I'm doing a 45 ft shell without a drive train so I want the best combo to do the job and have luxury of selecting it...will be the best buy used..prob would not ever put more than 200,000 miles on it in my life time.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

In the paper here, they said that there is going to be a jet powered skoolie at the Yuma air show. Can do 300 mph, throws out a 75 ft. flame.  Told my wife that you would never have a problem with someone tailgating you!      She pointed out that it would be a little hard on the toad. 

[TomC]

Unless the bus was already set up for the Series 60, it is a physically large engine to stuff in the bus-albeit a great engine-especially a pre '98 engine (no smog controls).  Personally, because of the shear numbers available, I would look for a Cummins M11/ISM. Much smaller physically, and while it doesn't produce the big fat torque curve that the Series 60 does, will more than get the job done more efficiently then any 2 stroke Detroit.  Practically every trash truck has a Cummins ISM with Allison 4000 series transmission.  I would try to find a wrecked trash truck, and buy the complete truck to get all the electronic parts.  Then have the engine rebuilt up to a 500hp RV engine and have the transmission looked at also.  Whether you rebuild the engine now or later-it is just more convenient to install a fresh engine and know that you'll be the only one driving it.  Good Luck, TomC

[belfert]

Robert bought a relatively late model Prevost shell so I would guess it is set up for a Series 60 and B500.

[robertglines1]

the shell is a 98 prevost 45 XLE was set up for 60 series..has DEC III wiring ....Have a DEC IV located but still haven"t made up mind?

[belfert]

the shell is a 98 prevost 45 XLE was set up for 60 series..has DEC III wiring ....Have a DEC IV located but still haven"t made up mind?

Talk to Jim Shephard about the DDEC III to DDEC IV conversion.  He had to do it.  From what I have read, it appears the vehicle wiring harness should work with either a DDEC III or DDEC IV.

[robertglines1]

That's good to know..thank you! widens my search...Just beginning..Have located a engine 12.7 and B500 and rear end all at the same place...package deal no wiring harness..very reasonable...the 14 ltr would be nice but is it necessary? The 89V92 I have now does a nice job in the 89..

[luvrbus]

Robert, stay with the DDEC 111 if possible and stay away from any 60 series with EGR the fuel mileage sucks on the EGR engine 12.7L or the 14L.  
If you want a 14L I know where a new one not rebuilt with less than 20 miles is for sale.
Jim changed to a DDEC 1V to use the Eaton 10 speed autoshift that was his reason for changing to the 1V.



good luck

[robertglines1]

I'm learning....the package I mentioned....is out of a late 90's MCI(12.7 and B500 and rear diff)60,000 on engine...:did not know about the egr poor fuel milage. you no the one I got from Ohio. only paid 1200 dollars for it.turned out to be 98 instead of 95 was in better shape than I hoped.Took only 3 hrs to fix exterior fire damage (skin)about another day to rebuild rear cap.Inside floor had no fire damage..small bath area usable(cabinets and sink) am keeping good photo record now....Will need guidance as I go..Help me not go astray...

[TomC]

Even though the EGR equipped engines do take a fuel mileage hit, you'll still be getting better mileage then the 8V-92TA by at least 1 mpg.  The best mpg Series 60 was pre 1998 models.

I know my personal experience with big rig trucks, when I was driving, my 8V-92TA (mechanical) truck got about 4.5-4.8mpg.  My 3406B mechanical Caterpillar got 5.4mpg.  I have a friend that has a Caterpillar C15 without EGR that gets 6.2mpg.  Most of my customers with Series 60's with EGR are getting in the 5.5-6.2mpg range.  The new DD15 with EGR, catalytic converter and particulate trap-we have one customer running between Salty and Phoenix with his top speed at 62mph averaging 7.4.  This year with the advent of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (Urea) with the Selective Catalyst Reduction system, I'm confident we're going to see trucks once again capable of getting 8mpg-if driven correctly.  And that means progressive shifting, and no faster than 60mph (55mph is best).  Good Luck, TomC