8V92 swap into MC8

[daddysgirl]

I agree - in that I like mechanical systems very much. Easier to get my head around. Because I grew up with complicated injection and ECU systems, I know how trouble some they can be and how refreshing a good mechanical system is. I looked at Brian Evans 8v71 Turbo conversion as a guiding light, however talking to my mechanic - (he's a hard core 2 stroke guy) - he says the later 8v92 TA silver series with beefed up bottom end- is the way to go.8v92s are cheap to buy also.  Cooling will be an issue (im working on a solution for that in my head) .As it is, I'm in no hurry, my 8v71 engine only has about 85K miles on it, and is in good shape. But it would be nice to have more torque while going at high altitude, which a turbo set up would be good for.

I understand, having grown up with Porsche, Peugeot, and Jaguars that addressed everything from electronic injection to nitrous. Dad loved cars. I loved to race cars. Short story...he would not let me race unless I built the car with him. (Full disclosure: Dad handled all the timing issues, I got to figure out the nitrous boost) So I hear ya.
I have just seen many a "hot" post on 8V92's. Maybe someday I'll get one. I've already got the rads and the scoops, what the heck:)
But knowing me, I'll turbo the 71 first. Hell, dad wouldn't even allow the updated caps...but I DO want to update the windows!

[daddysgirl]

I don't understand the rush from a well-built and maintained 8V71 (possibly adding a turbo...future project) to the 8V92. My MC8 has MC9 rads, but I know a lot of people with 8V92's that they can't keep cool anywhere south of North Carolina.

I struggled with this problem too. I wanted a Cat but the Eagle was too short without major modifications to the rear of the coach.

After much research, (without the benefit of these boards) I opted for the 8V92TA. I bought a remanufactured to 2000 specs Canadian Grizzly 92. It was installed in 2000 also. I absolutely love it!

The 8V71 is a good engine evidenced by the amount of them still operating. Adding a turbo is not as simple as strapping it on.

If you operate only in the eastern US, it will work fine. If you intend to operate out west, it will be greatly lacking in power. Especially above 4000'.

The upgrade to 8V92TA is not usually for the faint hearted. Cooling it is a problem. It is done by upgrading the radiator to a much more robust system. (Mine came from one of the MARTA 65' articulated buses operated by Atlanta for the Olympics.)
I do not know what options are available for MCIs.

If you already have the double cooler, you will be OK with that.

Some change in driving habits will need to occur.

When I first started driving the bus full time (after dad passed) I assumed I would be crawling up the mountains. I was wrong...and still passing a car or two. I must admit however when I would get to the other side of WVA, my right leg was sore. And you're probably right about driving habit. I'm VERY careful, but was taught since birth to drive a Detroit like you're REALLY mad

[akroyaleagle]

I'm VERY careful, but was taught since birth to drive a Detroit like you're REALLY mad

At 70 years old I have heard that all my life.

It is my practice to drive like I buy all the fuel and pay for all the maintenance and repair.

In more than 20 years I've put more than 200,000 miles on my coach, including multiple trips to and from Alaska, and never had a major repair nor spent any time on the side of the road except once for a burst heater hose. I've since installed cut off valves for that.

[Dreadnought]

I understand, having grown up with Porsche, Peugeot, and Jaguars that addressed everything from electronic injection to nitrous. Dad loved cars. I loved to race cars. Short story...he would not let me race unless I built the car with him. (Full disclosure: Dad handled all the timing issues, I got to figure out the nitrous boost) So I hear ya.
I have just seen many a "hot" post on 8V92's. Maybe someday I'll get one. I've already got the rads and the scoops, what the heck:)
But knowing me, I'll turbo the 71 first. Hell, dad wouldn't even allow the updated caps...but I DO want to update the windows!

What Porsches and Jaguars?

I own a 911 turbo and I was involved in the design of several Jaguar engines. Peugeot.....well, not my thing.

[daddysgirl]

My father (being in the business his entire life) would go to work in the AM and bring home a car with the engine/tranny in the front seat. The newest Jag we did was early 60s model. We did a few Porsche and Peugeots... a 911 Turbo, a Boxster, 2 356 one of them a convertible that was supposed to be my first car. My grandmother found out...ended that. And 2 MG's. This is a partial list, doesn't include my fav muscle cars.
I worked in the Porsche/Peugeot dealership for 6 years, but my experience came from childhood. But, as for anyone who knows, on my first day in the parts department, the Porsche techs came in and asked for a radiator for an air cooled Porsche. I smiled and asked them if they were qualified to fix a bicycle. LMAO. That was funny.

[Oonrahnjay]

... I worked in the Porsche/Peugeot dealership for 6 years, but my experience came from childhood. But, as for anyone who knows, on my first day in the parts department, the Porsche techs came in and asked for a radiator for an air cooled Porsche. I smiled and asked them if they were qualified to fix a bicycle. LMAO. That was funny. 

    You were lucky. My first boss at Land Rover had started in the business as an engineering apprentice at age 18 at Chrysler/England at Coventry.  He was short and slight.  About the middle of his first week, he was sent to the carburettor shop (occupied by all women because they were thought to be more nimble and accurate on the tiny carb parts and detailed testing and calibration) and told to ask for "two greased nuts".  He headed out of the engineering block, went around the corner and hid for 15 minutes and went back and said "they didn't have any".  He later had to go over to have some poorly-operating carbs checked and realized how close a call he'd had.

[richardmc9]

Brain I read your post last night for the first time, I have a Eagle that has the Gov. 8v71 T  engine a lot of power my turbo is mounted on the right side of the bus looking at the rear.. I saved the post because I'm going to put the engine in another Eagle.  Thanks It's a very good write up.

[TomC]

One of the reasons I bought my bus ('77 AMGeneral 10240B transit) is because it had an 8V-71. The 6V-92TA is an excellent engine-if you use it all the time. But with its' wet cylinder liners, letting it sit can create leaks into the oil. This can't happen on the 71 series since it has dry cylinder liners. I recently started my bus after sitting since October. It started like I had run it yesterday-and without any coolant leak.
Detroit's last version of the 8V-71TA was 400hp and 1200lb/ft torque with 80 injectors. Since I still have high compression 2 piece pistons with the tight transit bus piston rings, I kept it down to 7G75 injectors for 375hp and 1125lb/ft torque.
What I had to change- injectors, add turbo with all the plumbing, muffler, enlarge radiator, add air to air intercooler, change blower to bypass blower, air cleaner, add auxiliary transmission cooler, add radiator misters. I've had the turbo on for 10 years and about 30,000 miles with no real problems. Good Luck, TomC