Engine Comparisons

[Handyjim]

Is there a chart (or website) that does engine comparisons?  I'm new to this bus thing. Tried to do a search and couldn't find what I want.  6v72 versus 6v92 versus 8vXX; etc. with and without turbo, etc.  And where does a series 60 fit in the picture.  When I start my bus hunt, I want to have an idea of what to look for.  Power, performance, economy.  Am I asking the impossible to want the information distilled into an easy to use format?

I'm tired of  my Class A gasser crawling up hills, and having a love affair with every fuel pump.   So when I begin my purchase search, I want to get something that will make me happy to start, rather than face a repower in the conversion process. 

[PP]

Hey Handy, I'm sure more knowledgable gents and ladies will chime in on this question, and I think you will find that everyone likes something about each available option out there. I personally held out for an 8V92 simply because the series 60 were too expensive at that time.(Pre-recession LOL) Good luck in your search, Will

[RTS/Daytona]

try--> http://www.adieselengine.com/new_page_1.htm

and see attached file: it's a Canadian STATIONARY engine study (short form / long form) - has some usefull info -->

[TomC]

6V-71 and 6V-92 are virtually the same engine externally.  The 8V-71 is a bit shorter then the 8V-92 because of the big crankshaft vibration dampner on the 8V-92 on the front of it.

Big block engines include Cummins NTC/N14; Caterpillar 3406/C15/C16, 3408; Detroit Series 60.

Small Block engines (read a whole lot easier to install) are Cummins M11/ISM, ISL, ISC; Caterpillar C12, C13; Detroit Diesel MBE 4000. 

Good Luck, TomC

[Tom Y]

Jim, If you are hoping to get better mileage from a bus you will be disapointed. No idea what you get, but most here are in the 6-9 range. Some are moving up the hills but a lot are not.  Tom Y

[Handyjim]

Would anything be wrong with a series 60 and B500 tranny in a 102D3?  Except maybe the price!   I know I won't get any better mileage than in my Southwind Gasser (7-7.5 mpg) but maybe I can get up a hill, and have m ore usable space.

[RickB]

Tom C

I have had a number of folks tell me that the actual block of the 8V71 is 2" longer is it just the dampener/balancer that makes it longer?

without stealing this thread, why wouldn't the cradle for the 71 work for the 92? oil pan, oil cooler, i thought none of these were interchangeable.

Rickb

[divinerightstrip]

[luvrbus]

Rick, it is the crank and the oil pump that make a 92 longer the bare block on the 71 and 92 are identical in length so are the heads. 
The 8v92 weighs several hundred pounds more than a 8v71 also
I have some stuff that will work for a front mount I just need a photo of your 71 series mount and bet a coke we can make one work for you.  

good luck  

[johns4104s]

Greyhound went from MCI 9 to 102, then they wanted to go back to the MCI 9, This was not possible so MCI made the MCI 12 which is practically the MCI 9 with a diffrent power train.

I would look for a MCI 9 with a 6v92TA and Allison 740, Not the power of a 8v92T but with the 6v92TA you are able to keep the rpm up high were a Detroit likes it.

You would get a MCI 9 at a good price.

John

PS My MCI 9/Allison gives me  5 mpg if Im lucky plus a little. I think you will get 6 to 6.5 with the 6v92TA.

[gus]

Tom Y speaks with great wisdom!

You will not be saving any trips to the fuel pump and now diesel is a LOT more than gas in my area.

[Chopper Scott]

I'm so old that I remember arguing about the difference between a 327 versus a 350 Chevy! If I remember right.... A 327 large journal crank in a 350 block with 307 heads!!!  But in all actuallity, no more miles than most of us cover it doesn't make much sense or cents to be laying out a bunch of $$$ to get 8 miles a gallon instead of 6. Probably a better idea to wait for a good tail wind!! And in all honesty if I can make my bus live another  20 or 30 thousand miles I'll be happy. Others may and probably do cover more miles than I plan on. Then again I'm just starting and who knows! It all depends on each of our plans.

[TomC]

On our last trip to Las Vegas pulling the car I got just over 6mpg at 58mph cruise. The best mileage I've ever gotton was 7.5 with a serious tail wind.  Good Luck, TomC

[Tom Y]

Jim, I was not trying to talk you out of a bus. Just warning you of the comparisons about mpg and hills. I sure we would all like to see another member with a bus. Buy the best bus and drivetrain you can afford and enjoy. I say if you can get a 4 stroke. Others will will say stay with the old Detroits.   Good Luck  Tom Y

[cody]

With mileage being about the same, the safety factor should be concidered, a bus is far safer and will usually live longer than a factory unit.  In both cases the driver will be the first at any accident.