My repower is nearly complete

Paladin · March 31, 2009, 10:55:13 PM

After worrying about the future prices of diesel I decided to do an engine swap. We pulled out the old DD and Allison trans and put in a Chevy 454 with the auto trans still attached from the boneyard. By doing this we were also able to pull out the radiators and install just one one in the rear mounted into one of the access doors. This allows me to put in a rear facing window after pulling out the factory MCI blowers and associated other hardware. The engine still has the air conditioning compressor mounted so maybe I'll run that up to the drivers area for additional cooling.

The best thing is that now I can run regular 87 octane gasoline and still get great mileage!

niles500 · March 31, 2009, 11:04:15 PM

Happy april fool's day to you too!

RickB · April 01, 2009, 05:35:22 AM

Hold on a sec here,,,, I need to pull the fis hook out of my mouth!

Anybody have any hip waders handy???

Had me going there....

johns4104s · April 01, 2009, 06:19:48 AM

Paladin

That will not be enough power to push that MCI will it? How long did it take you to do the repower? Do you have any photos to share?

Thanks

John

Len Silva · April 01, 2009, 07:33:35 AM

It will have plenty of power if you install the Banks headers and exhaust system. It's going to sound great too.

zubzub · April 01, 2009, 07:44:09 AM

I think that sounds like a grand idea. FWIW if you insert the hybrid system from a Prius between the engine and the tranny you will have better mileage and also a lot of the time you will have accelerated up to 30 mph on batteries alone before the engine kicks in. Without that stinky DD in there you will have plenty of room for the Prius drive plus the feel good factor of driving down the road knowing you have saved the planet from eminent doom.

Len Silva · April 01, 2009, 08:29:35 AM

I think that engine combo had an issue with torque converter ballooning. You might want to look into an after market converter.

johns4104s · April 01, 2009, 08:34:40 AM

Were would we get a Banks headers and exhaust system??

john

JackConrad · April 01, 2009, 08:34:57 AM

Gee, and here I have spent the last couple weeks putting another 8V71 in our coach. Maybe I should went with a 426 Hemi with 2 Carter AFB 4 bbl. carbs (426 cu. in./ 425 HP) and a 727 TorqueFlite tranny??? LOL Jack

PP · April 01, 2009, 08:44:02 AM

I've been eyeing a 427 block on ebay, now I know what to do with it!

Buddy of mine has a 205 transfer case hmmm

Paladin · April 01, 2009, 08:59:13 AM

Ahh, Jack, a man after my own heart. I was going to say my blown 440 with dual Carter comp AFB 750 series and a 727 out of my car but thought I'd throw Chevy under the bus....hahahahahaha, good one. That's also why I didn't list the trans and only said auto. I couldn't remember which trans would be bolted to a 454.
Besides, my Mopar would be more likely to be able to really power a bus than a Chebby!

Quote from: JackConrad on April 01, 2009, 08:34:57 AM
Gee, and here I have spent the last couple weeks putting another 8V71 in our coach. Maybe I should went with a 426 Hemi with 2 Carter AFB 4 bbl. carbs (426 cu. in./ 425 HP) and a 727 TorqueFlite tranny??? LOL Jack

Paladin · April 01, 2009, 09:08:10 AM

Actually Len you are right about the converter ballooning but that's been nearly completely compensated for by the new titanium piston return springs.

Quote from: Len Silva on April 01, 2009, 08:29:35 AM
I think that engine combo had an issue with torque converter ballooning. You might want to look into an after market converter.

Blacksheep · April 01, 2009, 09:44:18 AM

"Injection is nice but I'd still rather be Blown"

Hmm...

Ace

Len Silva · April 01, 2009, 10:18:18 AM

All right, I can't wait for this day to be over!

RickB · April 01, 2009, 10:25:18 AM

"I couldn't remember which trans would be bolted to a 454"

That would be a Turbo 400 with a 4500 stall

My repower is nearly complete

Blacksheep