Increasing the power of the Detroit Diesel 6-71

[luvrbus]

Henry,I think you have typo in the 6000 series won't hold up those are a monster off road transmissions 5 ft long and weigh about 3,000 lbs I am guessing you meant 600 series ?

good luck  

[Audiomaker]

I think the rig has actually some relationship to Oshkosh...probably the most overbuilt chassis imaginable. It sure looks Oshkosh by gosh to me

...or at least designers that went to the Ruski military school of truck design.

Actually I have a lot of fun with it.  I get questioned all the time.  People even pull over when I'm fueling and ask "um..what is that??".

My best friend says I need to buy a white anti-exposure suit with the positive pressure ventilation tank and pull up in front of outdoor cafe's and jump out pointing some geiger counter looking device at everyone, then say to my wrist "still below fatal levels", and jump back in and drive off! LOL.

I'm such a jokester in real life that I've started doing it when people walk up.  
The last time I was fueling and a guy walked up and asked about it, I said it was a FEMA radiation interdiction vehicle and that he shouldn't get too close because it was mildly radioactive.
He took off so fast that I actually had to chase him across the station and tell him I was kidding...and apologize.  
In person it's a pretty intimidating vehicle.  No windows...13' tall, and it is definitely built Oshkosh-like.  The two massive HVAC's on the back look like jet packs or some kind of transformers.  You can make up just about any story you like (So far I've done CIA, NSA, FEMA...etc), and not once has anyone got the joke.  I need to stop!

If I end up full timing for a bit in it, maybe it will keep the Walmart security from wanting to approach?

[luvrbus]

The 701 is the group number it will be S4H-005 unless it has been changed with a A/R of 0.96 it's good for low end and mid range power not much on the high end for power and torque Call Don @ 661-391-4520 Monday he is close and he knows the 6L71 one of his favorite engines,he will take time to talk to you  

I looked at that setup before on a unit for sale here a engine swap not for me they look like the built the truck around the 6L71

good luck

[Audiomaker]

I looked at that setup before on a unit for sale here a engine swap not for me they look like the built the truck around the 6L71

Exactly, and thanks for the #.  I will get ahold of him, but it will be a month or so since I'm in the middle of moving.
I look forward to meeting Don and will tell him you sent me.

[luvrbus]

LOL may work for both he is in the middle of moving his shop

[Audiomaker]

Liftgate service for tuning? Hmm...  I was a machinery dealer and have my own machine shop I'm loading (10 tons loaded, 20 tons left).

Maybe I should call him :-)

[Audiomaker]

While I figure out the right place to post this, maybe you guys will find this mildly entertaining...

I figure it sort of fits here since this is my introduction thread.

I hope you will still talk to me after seeing this!

Trimmed2

Cheers!

[Mex-Busnut]

That is a nice looking rig!

Next time you are asked what it is, put on a suspicious look and answer: "Did you see the Men in Black movie?

In my humble opinion, you might lose several tons of that useless lead ballast, which would boost your power and mpg. Also losing weight might allow you to run only two tires on your rear axle, as opposed to 4, which would also reduce weight and drag. There has to be a way to get it out. There always is.  

And if you post an idea of your location, I am sure somebody around these awesome forums can help you out with some ideas.

[Audiomaker]

That is a nice looking rig!

Next time you are asked what it is, put on a suspicious look and answer: "Did you see the Men in Black movie?

In my humble opinion, you might lose several tons of that useless lead ballast, which would boost your power and mpg. Also losing weight might allow you to run only two tires on your rear axle, as opposed to 4, which would also reduce weight and drag. There has to be a way to get it out. There always is.  

And if you post an idea of your location, I am sure somebody around these awesome forums can help you out with some ideas.

Well you're right about that.  I've looked into it and it's bonded and difficult to remove.
I've decided to wait until the whole Russia/Ukraine thing settles down before removing the lead shielding (I'm a little nuts as you'll learn).

I would post my location, but I was sued over a night club I was opening and lost my house...which led me to buy this thing because I have no idea where I'm going to live in a couple months.  As soon as I land, I will attach that to my profile

[TomC]

The last build of the 8V-71TA from Detroit was 400hp with 1200lb/ft torque. That used 7G80 injectors-which would be the biggest I would go with an automatic. That would translate in your 6-71TA to 300hp and 900ft/lb torque. Couple of things-does the engine have a bypass blower? If it is a TA (Turbocharged Aftercooled) you could remove the aftercooler and use instead an air to air intercooler. I did that on my 8V-71-just went from 65 to 75 injectors and it really woke up the engine.
Also make sure your Allison torque converter is locking up. Depending on the model, either in 2nd or 3rd. With your turbo engine, you probably have the MT647 that locks up in 2nd gear. And just like the bigger 700 series, you can have a manual lockup solenoid installed (I have one on mine) so you can also get torque converter lockup in 1st and 2nd-great for mountain driving. Good Luck, TomC

[shelled]

Sean,

It's a brick aerodynamically.  At steady-state road speeds above 25 (yes, I said twenty-five) miles per hour, your fuel consumption will get steadily worse as speed increases.  This is not a straight-line function, so you won't notice a major change till 40-45 mph.  At 60 mph, fuel consumption is going to suck and it doesn't matter what you do to the current engine or if you change engines.

I am curious about the complex plumbing you describe and all the auxiliary systems the vehicle has -- are all these things being powered by the 6L71 in addition to motivating you down the road ?  That could make quite a bit of difference.

edward

[Audiomaker]

Sean,

It's a brick aerodynamically.  At steady-state road speeds above 25 (yes, I said twenty-five) miles per hour, your fuel consumption will get steadily worse as speed increases.  This is not a straight-line function, so you won't notice a major change till 40-45 mph.  At 60 mph, fuel consumption is going to suck and it doesn't matter what you do to the current engine or if you change engines.

I am curious about the complex plumbing you describe and all the auxiliary systems the vehicle has -- are all these things being powered by the 6L71 in addition to motivating you down the road ?  That could make quite a bit of difference.

edward

A brick it is. No argument there.

I wish I could describe the aux' systems... I'm intentionally being vague because I haven't had the time to trace it all out and determine what it is.
I will give you an example though... the hydraulic line for the fan and PS has at least 5 individual hoses that go through at least 3 boxes, 2 of them mechanical at one solenoid based.  There's T's that split off that go rearward to who knows what?  It's overbuilt, and over complicated.
I suspect it's pressure relief or bypass valves...and diverters...ugh.  They are all black..lol!  I think the hydraulics have their own filters too.
That's just to power what i can only guess is only the PS and fan. It gets worse.  Then there's the hydraulics for the gate and levelers (which is an independent system).  Everything under there is serious. The levelers will lift the entire truck (all 10 wheels) right off the ground without straining.  Then there was all the stuff left over from the CT scanner installation... miles of wires, 300a 480v service and transfer switches and transformers, and line controls  You could power a residential block with what I've already pulled out.  The shore power cable weighs over 200lbs!

This thing is an exercise in ridiculousness that I can only imagine would be matched by a fire pumper truck.

The confession I have to make though is that I dig that it's built like this.  Months of fun figuring it out!

After I discovered a couple chips in this white paint, I realized and confirmed that the entire outer skin of the truck is stainless steel (rivets too), as well as a good deal of the inside.  The door seals are all "Sea-Lok" commercial stuff.

I don't really expect it to ever be "lively". It is a brick, and a tank, and obviously was designed to carry this massive magnetic machine over mostly surface streets, but I got a great deal on it, and it's in great shape, and it scares me a little...which is fun.

[oldmansax]

HB, I was looking around at what the repower options were for this "L" motor.  Even having done many automobile swaps though, 2 minutes under this truck and I let that fantasy go.  It's just so integrated in there that it would be immense reengineering.  The plumbing alone is daughting.  That said, what is the model of Cummins you speak of?   I might consider it when i blow this one by not listening to Luvrbus's advice (which  everyone tells me is a good idea to do)

Sean,

That thing is definitely a project for the for the advanced RV converter/maniac!    I say that as someone who has done a few of those myself. The two happiest days of your life with that will be the day you acquired it and the day you get rid of it. 

A little free, unasked for, but I hope heeded, advice:

This board & some others have people that represent over a thousand years of experience (collectively)  with DDs, buses, trucks, and machinery in general. I myself have 50 years of experience, and there are others who are equal or better.

That said, Clifford (Luvrbus) and Don Fairchild have forgotten more than I and a lot of the rest of us will ever know about DDs. Hook up with one or both and take their advice on engines. It will save you a world of money and time. 

There have probably been folks that have asked you to machine or fabricate something for them in your shop that you knew would not work as they hoped; but, they insisted and you complied. Your experience and knowledge could have saved them time and money. Use Clifford & Don's knowledge and experience to save yourself some disappointment; AND use your experience and knowledge in other areas to save us some!

On another note, I have a used Motosat DataStorm F2 satallite dish I will sell you cheap if you REALLY want to freak people out.    It comes with a brand new, yellow radiation warning sign!   

Have fun!

TOM

[Audiomaker]

Sean,

That thing is definitely a project for the for the advanced RV converter/maniac!    I say that as someone who has done a few of those myself. The two happiest days of your life with that will be the day you acquired it and the day you get rid of it. 

A little free, unasked for, but I hope heeded, advice:

This board & some others have people that represent over a thousand years of experience (collectively)  with DDs, buses, trucks, and machinery in general. I myself have 50 years of experience, and there are others who are equal or better.

That said, Clifford (Luvrbus) and Don Fairchild have forgotten more than I and a lot of the rest of us will ever know about DDs. Hook up with one or both and take their advice on engines. It will save you a world of money and time. 

There have probably been folks that have asked you to machine or fabricate something for them in your shop that you knew would not work as they hoped; but, they insisted and you complied. Your experience and knowledge could have saved them time and money. Use Clifford & Don's knowledge and experience to save yourself some disappointment; AND use your experience and knowledge in other areas to save us some!

On another note, I have a used Motosat DataStorm F2 satallite dish I will sell you cheap if you REALLY want to freak people out.    It comes with a brand new, yellow radiation warning sign!   

Have fun!

TOM

I totally agree Tom, and I hope my questions don't come off like the new kid who has to be contrary to everything....including tried wisdom.
At the same time, on the BBS's, a little devils advocating is not only social, but helps me (and the newbies that read these threads later) have a better grasp on how things work (or don't) because they heard all the arguments for and against.  Unfortunately that is often tedious to those who have well earned their status as "being in the know".
For myself, I try to at least back up my thoughts.  I have a good quarter mil' invested in a machine shop that isn't for hire.  It only lets me create what falls out of my head so when my head goes "can we do it this way?", I can try it if so compelled.
I guess what I'm saying there is that there are some who ponder the alternatives endlessly because it's free to do so, and for the most part, it is free to tap the minds of others on the net who have already invested.  Those people are often met with rolled eyes because it's the 5 year old repeating the word "why?" to every response.
I kind of come from the angle that I really need to understand something fully to accept it, but once understood, I'll help others to understand, or create a new way to do it, or prototype a new product to consider.

[uncle ned]

If you really want to increase horsepower on a 6/71.  You need to make your way to Mill Springs North Carolina and see Gene Russell.

uncle ned