How much does a Cat Turbo repower add to the value of an MCI8?

[pickpaul]

I know you couldn't justify the cost of putting one in because the resell would never cover it but it must add something to the value of a conversion right? Anyone want to throw numbers out there?

Cheers, Paul.

[bevans6]

I don't know that it necessarily adds or detracts from the value.  An MC-8 is a gettin' on old  bus.  The conversion may be recent, or really need a complete redo.  The chassis/running gear will be in a condition subject to the maintenance or lack of maintenance it's had.  Those things have a tremendous impact on value.  The engine - which Cat?  What horsepower?  What transmission?  Who did the repower and how well is it executed?  New engine or 650K mile take-out?  Those variables add up to it's impossible to tell on what the value is.  Most people who do the change do it because it has value to them, not because they plan to get something back when they sell the bus.  People who are buying a bus have to make the same judgement - what value does this bus, in it's wholeness, everything considered, have to you?

Brian

[artvonne]

  With the selling prices of newer professionaly built conversions dropping to sub $50K, some sub $30K, I would think long and hard before dumping a lot of time and money into an old Bus. As Brian eluded, do it because its what you want to do, as your likely throwing away most of your time and money. An MC8 has an upper price limet that is shadowed by newer nicer stuff selling for cheap.

  I would equate it to the guy that buys the $30K Ferrari 308, gives it a $20K paint job, blows another $15K rebuilding the engine, puts $7K into a new interior, another $10K on suspension rebuild, etc., etc., and then sells it for $30K because thats all their worth.

[TomC]

Considering Caterpillar makes engines from 14hp to 27,000hp, we would like to know what model engine you're thinking about.  If you're thinking of using a 2007-2009 year model engine, it would take away from the value of the bus since these year engines are so problem prone, they nearly bankrupted Caterpillar and is the reason they pulled out of the trucking engine market (their new CT13 is International's MAN based MF13). If you're using the excellent C12 or 3406B,C or E, then it would increase the value of the bus.  How much? Depends on the buyer of course.  Good Luck, TomC

[morefire]

Considering Caterpillar makes engines from 14hp to 27,000hp, we would like to know what model engine you're thinking about.  If you're thinking of using a 2007-2009 year model engine, it would take away from the value of the bus since these year engines are so problem prone, they nearly bankrupted Caterpillar and is the reason they pulled out of the trucking engine market (their new CT13 is International's MAN based MF13). If you're using the excellent C12 or 3406B,C or E, then it would increase the value of the bus.  How much? Depends on the buyer of course.  Good Luck, TomC

Not the case with the later batch of C13's starting with serial numbers LEE....  CAT had all the updates and improvements to those engines, and if you buy a new left over, CAT will give you a 5 year warranty for a motor home/conversion.

IF you have an older coach that doesn't need to pass Emissions you can have the Emissions Deleted from the computer, then all those sensors become dead and can be removed, or just left in place.  (All the previous problems were emission related, and not the actual engine).   Once you delete the Emission stuff from the computer, you can run a regular muffler or straight pipe.   
You will then have a Modern, true million mile, powerful(up to 525HP), fuel efficient engine that you can mount in an older bus and could never burn it out in a motorhome!

[luvrbus]

Yep you are a 100% morefire we removed a C 13 from a unfinished Blue Bird my friend bought from the sale at the factory
Cashmans in Vegas a Cat dealer did the work there are no emissions on the engine he is one happy camper with his C-13 in a Eagle fwiw we removed a series 50 DD for the swap a engine he hated with a passion lol

good luck

[Len Silva]

I don't think it would make a dimes worth of difference, might even detract from the value of an older bus.

In the overall scheme of things, there are a very limited number of buyers for an older bus conversions, and the majority of those wouldn't know a Cat from a dog.

Just look at some of the questions from newbies here who have actually bought a bus but don't know what engine they have.

If I were looking at an older bus, I would want it as stock as possible, so that the documentation matched the bus.  I would be very wary of any major changes unless I knew for sure who did them and what their qualifications were.

I have seen more than a couple of rolling disasters because of structural and/or driveline changes made by amateurs.

If you want it, go for it, but I would not expect any gain at all unless you found a buyer that knew you and the bus.

[Lonnie time to go]

It all depends on who did it and what corners may have been cut to get it done.

Yep you are a 100% morefire we removed a C 13 from a unfinished Blue Bird my friend bought from the sale at the factory
Cashmans in Vegas a Cat dealer did the work there are no emissions on the engine he is one happy camper with his C-13 in a Eagle fwiw we removed a series 50 DD for the swap a engine he hated with a passion lol

good luck

I ask only because the subject is brought up
I have to ask what a person should expect for mpg

With all things being equal is there much difference

CAT c13        without emissions
series 60       without emissions


I know this get beat to death all the time but.

Lonnie

[luvrbus]

They are about the same David got 8.5 with his series 50 350 hp Detroit and B400 transmission he gets 7 with his C13 with 500 hp

good luck

[uncle ned]

I f Sonnie put the "CAT" in the bus it would double the value. If I did it don't try to drive it.

Put a third member in a old ford.  had three reverses and on forward.

Haven't met Clifford but I will put him in the same class as sonnie.

uncle ned

ps i take "huggy' to Davids Coach to get fixed. If I can't get him will head to Gene Russels.

and I work on MG"S

[TomC]

The C12/C13 (same block) are considerable smaller in size then the Series 60.  While the Series 60 is a great engine, I think it is really to big as a retrofit.  Have the Cat C12/C13 rebuilt to a 500 or 525hp RV setting with all smog devices defeated, and you'll have an excellent engine.  Good Luck, TomC

[Chopper Scott]

All I can add to this conversation is that putting a small block Chevy in a 56 Ford pickup increases it's value!! 

[artvonne]

All I can add to this conversation is that putting a small block Chevy in a 56 Ford pickup increases it's value!! 

  Only to you Chevy guys, lol.

  Im with Lin, I think it would likely be a wash, or could even detract value. The market sucks, the economy sucks, and the outlook sucks. Most of the stuff like big Buses and Boats and other toys people couldnt buy fast enough, they were buying it with phony equity money.

  I guess a guy would have to know what a realistic upper lprice point is for an MC8, like whats the most someone would pay for the nicest cleanest sharpest MC8 with reciepts and books and stuff, before looking at something newer. There is a lot of newer stuff out there right now for peanuts.

  I really thiink its the kind of thing you do simply because you want to. I dont think too many will be making money on Buses for a while.

[uncle ned]

A friend has one of the nicest 53 chev pickups I have seen.  It runs real good also, has a 429 ford engine.

uncle ned