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Old 01-29-2014, 10:32 AM   #1
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Repower setup

I'm new to skoolies however I have had some experience in heavier diesel rigs. I'm wanting to start from scratch on my current project just to see how crazy it can get. I'm looking on input on what would be the best set-up for:

1. MPG
2. Reliability
3. Lowest cost of maintenance

My current idea of this setup is a turbo 3208 Cat with 431HP though an Eaton-Fuller Ultra-Shift MXP 13-Speed and an Eaton Fuller Double Planetary 4.50 Rear-end if my math is right I would cruise at 60MPH with 15MPG on flat ground. this setup has 50lbs less weight than my current setup of an 8.2L Detroit through an Allison AT545 and a Eaton Fuller Double Planetary 6.16 Rear-end which gets to 55MPH With 6MPG.

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Old 01-29-2014, 02:19 PM   #2
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Re: Repower setup

welcome,
that mileage sucks, tranny is probably biggest issue with slippage

get a FE flat nose, stick a 14lt with an Allison 6 speed or whatever....then build the nose out to cover a radiator and the front of the engine

oh and build one huge drive shaft to handle the 1400 pounds of torque

might look kind of funny, but it would fly and get about 12 mpg at 55/60

just throwing crazy stuff out
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Old 01-29-2014, 06:04 PM   #3
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Re: Repower setup

"just to see how crazy it can get."

Picturing in my mind the scene from Smokey + the Bandit--Bandit in in the hammock -Big + little Enus talking him into the trip-just change the wording: "I need bus" (money comes out-flip flip) "A crazy bus" (flip flip flip) "CRAZIER than that." (flip flip flip)
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Old 01-29-2014, 07:11 PM   #4
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Re: Repower setup

A front engine, and a rear engine 8.3 Cummins with MD3060's behind both engines.

Two buses would be grafted together, front engine bus would get cut just behind the rear wheels. The rear engine bus would get cut just in front of the rear wheels. Bolt both together in a tandem configuration.

One more axle to help stop the combined 1900 ft pounds of torque stock. Bump both the Cummins 8.3's up, and you would have 3000 ft pounds of torque.

In the real light of things, a 5.9 Cummins at stock output 190hp, with a 10 speed manual trans. Lowest cost per mile hands down.

Nat
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Old 01-30-2014, 10:37 AM   #5
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Re: Repower setup

A 3208 at 431hp? That would surely be pushing the limit and would expect problems. Why would you need that much hp?
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Old 01-30-2014, 10:53 AM   #6
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Re: Repower setup

Cat engines aren't among the preferable engines. In my Opinion, they fall in the same category at the Chevy durdamax. 5.9 and 8.3 Cummins, Dt360, and 466 are the preferred four around here.

Nat
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Old 01-30-2014, 10:54 AM   #7
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Re: Repower setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by opus
A 3208 at 431hp? That would surely be pushing the limit and would expect problems. Why would you need that much hp?
Can you really have TO MUCH hp? Thats like saying your having to much sex
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Old 01-30-2014, 10:59 AM   #8
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Re: Repower setup

Both are highly overrated and come with bothersome consequences. LOL!
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Old 01-30-2014, 09:57 PM   #9
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Re: Repower setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by allwthrrider
Quote:
Originally Posted by opus
A 3208 at 431hp? That would surely be pushing the limit and would expect problems. Why would you need that much hp?
Can you really have TO MUCH hp? Thats like saying your having to much sex

Let's put this into perspective. Can you have too much Viagra? If you take Viagra and you have a woody for more than 4 hours, stuff might break. You have to go to the mechanic, I mean hospital to fix it. Just like your pecker wasn't designed to have a woody for 6 hours, I don't think a 3208 was designed for that much HP.


Edit. made a correction.
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Old 01-30-2014, 10:00 PM   #10
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Re: Repower setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by crazycal
Quote:
Originally Posted by allwthrrider
Quote:
Originally Posted by opus
A 3208 at 431hp? That would surely be pushing the limit and would expect problems. Why would you need that much hp?
Can you really have TO MUCH hp? Thats like saying your having to much sex

Let's put this into perspective. Can you have enough Viagra? If you take Viagra and you have a woody for more than 4 hours, stuff might break. You have to go to the mechanic, I mean hospital to fix it. Just like your pecker wasn't designed to have a woody for 6 hours, I don't think a 3208 was designed for that much HP.
interesting analogy, and interesting visual as well
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Old 01-30-2014, 10:07 PM   #11
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Re: Repower setup

Great, now I have to sleep with that analogy in my head.
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Old 01-30-2014, 10:52 PM   #12
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Re: Repower setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by opus
Great, now I have to sleep with that analogy in my head.
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Old 01-30-2014, 11:03 PM   #13
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Re: Repower setup

Men are visual creatures. You need to draw a picture for them to understand otherwise they just look at you with glassy eyes.

At least I made my point...I think.
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Old 01-30-2014, 11:08 PM   #14
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Re: Repower setup

Wow, I love where this thread has gone.

crazycal great analogy. Best description I have ever read.

Nat
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Old 01-31-2014, 08:40 AM   #15
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Re: Repower setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by nat_ster
Wow, I love where this thread has gone.

crazycal great analogy. Best description I have ever read.

Nat
Let's just substitute the word "sex" wherever "HP" is used and see how the mechanical thread pans out. *sound of gauntlet dropping* Haha!

After the comment "men are visual creatures" I was really waiting for someone to make a little drawing that illustrated why "too much" HP could be a problem.
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Old 01-31-2014, 10:41 AM   #16
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Re: Repower setup

[quote="opus"]Both are highly overrated and come with bothersome consequences. LOL![/quote

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Old 01-31-2014, 07:52 PM   #17
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Re: Repower setup

the logic behind the high horsepower was so I could stay at low idle during steep grades and from my experience I've found that the 3208 though cat isn't particularly fond of them are good motors so long as you don't "dog them out" and that setup takes the same space as my current setup, weighs about 150Lbs less and I can literally triple my power for when I'm towing.
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Old 02-01-2014, 01:28 PM   #18
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Re: Repower setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by Taystools
the logic behind the high horsepower was so I could stay at low idle during steep grades and from my experience I've found that the 3208 though cat isn't particularly fond of them are good motors so long as you don't "dog them out" and that setup takes the same space as my current setup, weighs about 150Lbs less and I can literally triple my power for when I'm towing.
But if your swapping, why not a more durable engine?

A 8.3 Cummins would not mind making that kind of power all day long.

Nat
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Old 02-01-2014, 03:04 PM   #19
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Re: Repower setup

Quote:
Originally Posted by Taystools
the logic behind the high horsepower was so I could stay at low idle during steep grades and from my experience I've found that the 3208 though cat isn't particularly fond of them are good motors so long as you don't "dog them out" and that setup takes the same space as my current setup, weighs about 150Lbs less and I can literally triple my power for when I'm towing.

Do you have this power plant already? Is that why you chose it?
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Old 02-01-2014, 08:47 PM   #20
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Re: Repower setup

I don't think anyone is questioning the desire for more sex, or i mean hp. I think it was more the chosen power pants...i mean plant. I just did some research on the 3208, and your choice makes more sense to me now. You can get a stock marine 3208 rated around 435hp, which is pretty damn impressive. They get a bad rap due to being considered a disposable engine, but that's partially because they have a patent bore block vs. replaceable liners like the DT466. For what its worth, the Cummins 8.3 is also a parent bore block. The highest stock rating i can find on an 8.3 is 400hp. Don't get me wrong, i think the 8.3 is a great engine, but the 3208 is far more capable than i thought.

That being said, there is a LOT of hate out there for the 3208. I found a few mechanics who say its undeserved and its a great engine, but not many seem to like it.
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