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Old 01-27-2016, 03:22 PM   #1
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Join Date: Jan 2016
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please help make decision on 94 blue bird

been a long time lurker but have a few questions that I couldn't hunt the answer for so I need so help

picked up a 1994 flat front blue bird tc2000 with 5.9 with at 545
has 138,000 in good shape here is the current specs
30k bus 66 passanger
drove home 500 miles ran great just slow

5.9 with at545 138k ran 52-58mph at 2250-2500rpm with 4.78 gears and 10x22.5 tires
boost around 10-20psi, EGT's around 800-1000 spiked 1200 on two long pulls 6%grades coolent temp 170-190F

so my plan is to chop the back add air ride fifth wheel hitch to pull my 40 foot camper weight is 12,200
weighted bus today and it weights in at 16,500 but I still haven't cut frame yet

QUESTIONS:
main goal is to be able to pull doing at least 60 but truly 65-70 if possible
I know the at545 has to go to do this so I have sourced a mt-653 the one with the super low granny wich is hooked to a 8.3 cummins with 87k miles I could get this whole set up for around 1500 cash or 500 for just the tranny..
so what should I do
freshen the 5.9 that's in the bus and just hook up the mt653 or rip it all out and try to mount that HUGE 8.3 in the front ???? can this even be done with the space that's there and what would be involved just mounts or even more???
also what rear gear would I need to run for this speed I don't know how to do the formal so help would be great!!!

Last if I should keep the 5.9 in the bus how would I tell if I should pull the motor and rebuild or just freshen and change things IN FRAME again bus runs good but I want a dependable rig b/c I plan to travel coast to coast and my family will be with me
Thanks guys cant wait to read the responses

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Old 01-28-2016, 08:25 AM   #2
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
You have some great ideas!

In order for the MT transmission to work on your 5.9L you are going to have to have it recalibrated and most likely some new governors installed.

For the price I would upgrade both the engine and transmission.

You are going to run into a few problems with the bigger engine. It will most likely require you to make the dog house larger.

You will need to get a much larger radiator and transmission cooler. Moving that much weight at those kinds of speeds will require a whole lot more cooling.

You will also need rear gears in the 3.90-4.10 range.

Good luck.
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:42 AM   #3
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Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
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Before you start, I think you need to take total length into consideration. In some states like California, maximum total length is 65 feet and you will be measured if they think you are close. I am not sure about other states but it's not too hard t look up. I would hate to see you chop up the bus only to find out that you will be a couple of feet over length.
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Old 02-05-2016, 04:15 PM   #4
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Location: Decatur, Illinois
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Year: 1992
Rated Cap: 35 kids
We are happy with our midsize 1992 blue bird at 24' ...you'd be surprised at what you can do with only a little space....
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