Series 60 verses 8v92

Seayfam · October 29, 2011, 12:24:29 PM

Hi all,
This has probably been discussed here before and I didn't get all the answers in the archives.
So here goes... What is the length difference between the series 60 and the 8v92? If it is too much longer than the 8v92, is there a shorter transmission than the 740 that I could use?
I would like to just keep the 740 for money reasons and the driveline in my bus is really short as it is, so that is out of the question.

I am kicking around the idea right now, and would like to convert my bus over to the series 60. The bus I'm considering converting is in my sig below.

Thanks for any advise!

bevans6 · October 29, 2011, 01:07:07 PM

Most people with the MCI's convert to a S50 which is about the same length, height and weight as a 8V92. I would imagine the S60 is quite a bit longer.

Brian

luvrbus · October 29, 2011, 01:28:59 PM

The height of a 50 series and a 60 series are the same Brian a 50 series is waste of time to me but people do it,a 60 series should not be a problem with a MCI 6 those things came with a 12V71 lot longer than series 60

good luck

bevans6 · October 29, 2011, 01:38:06 PM

I forgot the MC6 came with the 12V71. When I was deciding what to do with my engine problem, I measured up the S50 and found that it would just fit in my engine bay in the MC-5. Interesting conversations with those who had done the swap into their MC-8's and 9's. They had them turned up to 350 hp and really liked them, cooling was no issue anymore. I think a good S60 would be a nice engine.

Brian

Utahclaimjumper · October 29, 2011, 02:52:35 PM

A good CUMMINS would be a "nicer" engine

>>>Dan

Seayfam · October 29, 2011, 03:48:34 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on October 29, 2011, 01:28:59 PM
The height of a 50 series and a 60 series are the same Brian a 50 series is waste of time to me but people do it,a 60 series should not be a problem with a MCI 6 those things came with a 12V71 lot longer than series 60

good luck

Thanks for your input on the 60 verses the 50. I'm looking at trying to achieve the 475 to 500hp range. My bus weighed in at 42,000# dry and I tow 8,000# trailer. I live in Alaska and travel back and fourth to Idaho through the Canadian Rockies.

I realize the s60 is a little shorter than the 12v71 that my bus came stock with. The difference is the 12v71 was mated to a manual 4speed. I believe that the 740 auto is longer than the manual. My 8v92 is right up against the back bumper with maybe 3" to spare.

The reason my choice is the S60 is... Many over the road truckers up here that I've talked to say they get the best mpg with it. Do you guys think that's true?

Zeroclearance · October 29, 2011, 03:52:33 PM

Gary, I put 5400 miles back and forth thru the Rockies this summer and averaged 7.4 mpg with my S60.

luvrbus · October 29, 2011, 04:01:54 PM

A 740 is not a good match for 60 series if you except the mileage Zeroclearance is getting you need the right gearing which will cost more than the engine

good luck

white-eagle · October 29, 2011, 05:38:33 PM

Quote from: Zeroclearance on October 29, 2011, 03:52:33 PM
Gary, I put 5400 miles back and forth thru the Rockies this summer and averaged 7.4 mpg with my S60.

i measured my mileage a couple years ago from Ohio to Florida and back, mostly on I75. 7.2mpg. i realize that's not up and down like the Rockies, but how much money do you expect to get from fuel savings to pay for a S60. i had a guy quote me about $20k for one installed. No way will i save that much in fuel mileage.

so why are you considering this?

Ericbsc · October 29, 2011, 06:14:54 PM

I installed a 12.7 series 60 in my eagle. I used the Allison 4000 mhp tranny. It is a 6 speed double overdrive with a .74 5th, and .64 6th (may have those backward?). I changed the ratio to a 4:11. What a package!!!! 65 mph 1360 rpm. 70 mph 1450 rpm. Went up a 7% 4 mile grade last week. Shifted from 6 th to 5th. Running 57 at the top. With my two stroke I was 14 mph in 2nd and screaming!! The 4000 series is 7" shorter than the 740 (could be a little off on that too) This is a great combo. I am around 40-41k fully loaded and it drives like a car. I even tried to get my wife to keep a record of all the trucks I passed but she refused!!!LOL

As a last note: This is not a project for the strong mind and weak back. It took me app. 6 months. I figured three!!

luvrbus · October 29, 2011, 06:54:24 PM

Watch it there Eric a 8v92 will dance with 60 series a 8v71 n/a series will do a slow waltz (very slow) my 8v92 was 1580 lbs of torque and I got over 7mpg every day up hill or down hill same as most Eagle guy with series 60 better than Wayne's Cummins he was around 5.5

good luck

Seayfam · October 29, 2011, 07:28:23 PM

Quote from: white-eagle on October 29, 2011, 05:38:33 PM
Quote from: Zeroclearance on October 29, 2011, 03:52:33 PM
Gary, I put 5400 miles back and forth thru the Rockies this summer and averaged 7.4 mpg with my S60.

i measured my mileage a couple years ago from Ohio to Florida and back, mostly on I75. 7.2mpg. i realize that's not up and down like the Rockies, but how much money do you expect to get from fuel savings to pay for a S60. i had a guy quote me about $20k for one installed. No way will i save that much in fuel mileage.

so why are you considering this?

There are a several reasons

1. If I can save 2.5 mpg That would save me $1,840 round trip to Idaho and back to Alaska. That is figuring Diesel at and average of $4.60 per gal. That trip is all up and down and my bus gets 5mpg avg on this trip. I plan on doing this trip every year for many years to come. (I have a home at both places)

2. My bus all loaded up with gear and my trailer with SUV weights in at around 55,000#. The last trip back to Alaska, I was climbing the grade up to Bridal Vail Falls near Banff and about 2/3 the way up, I was down to about 15mph and getting worried. This is a two lane road and has a sharp hairpin corner at the bottom, you are lucky if you can round that corner at over 35mph. Besides, it would have been embarrassing if that bicycle would have passed me. LOL

3. My brother has a series 60 in a 1996 Freightliner tractor that he doesn't use any more. He said he would sell it to me for 5,000 and it only has 80k on a complete overhaul. I know it would need a bunch of parts and fabrication to install it into a bus. My brother and I are both mechanics and would do all the work. I have a budget of 15k to do this conversion and that would have to include the transmission if it needs changed.

4. I just turned 41 this year and I plan on keeping this bus for ever. Besides, my wife gave me the OK.

Bill B /bus · October 29, 2011, 07:50:17 PM

You really need to understand the electronics involved. I have participated in one conversion, mine, and have seen two more. Not a job for the faint of heart. I would suggest an overdrive transmission as in the Allison World trans. You need the overdrive to run at the best engine speed. Then you have to find a way to reprogram the ECM to your wants. And have access to a read/write program to change parameters.

Bill

Ericbsc · October 29, 2011, 08:06:54 PM

You are right Clifford the 92 is strong. The heat on a hard climb seems to be a no issue with the 60 though. Parts are becoming an issue for the two stroke engines. I don't think the two strokes can compete with the newer electronic four strokes. The wiring to me was a little scary considering the manuals were about a foot thick!!LOL

jackhartjr · October 29, 2011, 08:20:21 PM

Gary, the GREAT fuel milage in the Series 60 in achieved ONLY by mating the right trannsmission and rears.
We have several stick haulers (Hauling furniture) that have Series 60's and several different rears and trannies. Granted we only haul 12,000 to 20,000 pounds. They consistantly get 7 to 8 and even better MPG and they are running 75MPH.
Again, you have to spec it right to get the good MPG.
Jack