Ford V10 vs GM 454

[JLL]

I have a freind that is looking for a gas motor Home. He's trying to find  out the pros and cons of a ford V10 vs a GM 454.
I'm trying to talk him into deisel.  I know it's not a bus question but I told him that the bus nuts  were the  smartest people around.  Any input?

[belfert]

I would go over to rv.net and search the Class A forum there.

The 454 and V10 are sorta like comparing an apple and an orange.  The 454 is an older motor while the V10 is newer.  The 454 and V10 may have overlapped by a few years, but the Ford 460 was the competition for the 454 for most of the years.  The V10 is still out there competing with the 8.1L on the GM side.

V10 versus 8.1L is almost a religious war, but the real difference is in the chassis and if one likes the Ford or GM/Workhorse chassis better.  A lot of buyers choose the chassis and take the motor they get.

A diesel will be vastly superior with more power (most of the time), usually air ride, and usually air brakes.  Watch out for the GM 6.5 and Cummins ISB used on some RVs.  The ISB usually won't be more than 230 HP, but it usually does real good on fuel.

Brian Elfert

[skihor]

My vote wqould for the V10. Power and mileage, unlike the GM which just has power. I would drive the two and feel the difference. Besides the exhaust note is like no other.
Don & Sheila

[TomC]

We sell Thomas buses.  It is common to see the Econoline front small school buses coming in with 300,000 miles and more on the V10 and still running.  I don't know about the 8.1, but I know that the V10 is as good a gasoline engine as they get.  Part of the reason is a very stiff block.  The cylinder head studs are screwed in at the base of the block with the crankshaft having 6 bolt main bearing caps (4 on the cap and two cross bolted).  With a little breathing help from Banks with their excellent intake and exhaust kits, the gas V10 is really not to bad of an engine so long as you don't exceed 26,000lb total weight on the motorhome.   Personally, the V10 is the only gasoline engine I would consider.  Good Luck, TomC