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Old 06-25-2019, 08:42 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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What gears do I have

Attempting to get from 55mph to 65-70. Not sure what gears i have and what I'd need to replace them with

Attached image of plate on the rear-end. 1998 fs65 bluebird cummins
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Old 06-25-2019, 08:55 AM   #2
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5.13:1 according to the plate. Anything can happen though and that plate might not be right. Best is to either count teeth, count rotations, or do the math with your current speed/rpm.
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Old 06-25-2019, 09:06 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Booyah45828 View Post
5.13:1 according to the plate. Anything can happen though and that plate might not be right. Best is to either count teeth, count rotations, or do the math with your current speed/rpm.
Here's a tool on my website I made to help with the RPM/Speed brute forcing cuz I'm too lazy to count rotations.

SPEED CALCULATOR

I plugged OP's number in with both the common transmissions in that bus (3060 and 2000) and he should be getting much, much faster speeds with 5.13 gearing. I'm guessing the gearing was changed at one point, even with the sixth gear locked OP should be getting much more than 55MPH.
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Old 06-25-2019, 10:50 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geminusprime View Post
Here's a tool on my website I made to help with the RPM/Speed brute forcing cuz I'm too lazy to count rotations.

SPEED CALCULATOR

I plugged OP's number in with both the common transmissions in that bus (3060 and 2000) and he should be getting much, much faster speeds with 5.13 gearing. I'm guessing the gearing was changed at one point, even with the sixth gear locked OP should be getting much more than 55MPH.
1998 with an ISB could have an at545.

What's your figures say for 1:1 trans with a 5.13 and 40.2 inch tires? I'm betting close to 55 mph at redline.
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Old 06-25-2019, 11:01 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geminusprime View Post
Here's a tool on my website I made to help with the RPM/Speed brute forcing cuz I'm too lazy to count rotations.

SPEED CALCULATOR

I plugged OP's number in with both the common transmissions in that bus (3060 and 2000) and he should be getting much, much faster speeds with 5.13 gearing. I'm guessing the gearing was changed at one point, even with the sixth gear locked OP should be getting much more than 55MPH.

It is unclear if the bus in question has overdrive or not. We need engine RPM's at that speed to know. I see 2 possibilities. Either the bus is running max RPM's at 55 (which mine does) and will need regearing, or it's an overdrive transmission, turning lower RPM's at 55 and is computer limited to 55 (easily unlocked via computer by any shop, can be a DIY thing if you have the computer/link/software to do it).


Since the thread is about gearing, I will assume the former, if for no other reason than to answer the gearing question. Since I have 5.38's in mine, no OD, a 1:1 top gear (manual transmission), 10R22.5 tires, I get around 55 at ~2300 RPM. I'm considering a 4:11 gear (~70 top end) or 3.91 gear (~74 top speed). I'm not too worried about losing acceleration or performance in hills since the trans has a pretty low first gear (I frequently skip it and start in 2nd) - and it's a shorty.
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Old 06-25-2019, 12:16 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Bus sits at 1700 rpm and 55mph
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Old 06-25-2019, 12:20 PM   #7
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Some. Images if they help
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Old 06-25-2019, 12:25 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hazin View Post
Bus sits at 1700 rpm and 55mph
Its electronically limited then.
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Old 06-25-2019, 12:55 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hazin View Post
Bus sits at 1700 rpm and 55mph
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Its electronically limited then.

Yep. Any truck shop/bus barn should be able to edit that. Mine is hardware limited (2300 at 55), but if mine were a software limit, I'd have it disabled entirely. Many companies and bus shops do that "for safety", and more quantifiably, fuel savings. Also to cut down on speeding tickets.
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Old 06-25-2019, 01:34 PM   #10
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Local cummins service center indicated there is no such thing on my bus, that it is not limited or governed. They recommended sending in the Bosch fuel pump to have it tuned to how i wanted it or to replaced the rear end gears.

I did replace the fuel plate/spring last fall as well as adjusted smoke screw a few times, and it did not change anything.

Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Its electronically limited then.
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Old 06-25-2019, 04:20 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hazin View Post
Local cummins service center indicated there is no such thing on my bus, that it is not limited or governed. They recommended sending in the Bosch fuel pump to have it tuned to how i wanted it or to replaced the rear end gears.

I did replace the fuel plate/spring last fall as well as adjusted smoke screw a few times, and it did not change anything.
So its a mechanical bus and you're sure its not governed?
If you're only doing 1700 at 55mph and it won't go any faster a gear swap won't do you any good.
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Old 06-25-2019, 04:50 PM   #12
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never said what transmission?
a load of scenarios with the tranny type in hand could answer the question or not.
my all mechanical bus is rated for 175 hp at 3000rpm
not a torque monster like yours is capable of?
mine with an at 545 tranny,6.50 rear ratio and 9r20 tires i get 49mph and maybe a little more on downhill but even 50-52 is it.
we need tranny type before we can help recommend rear gears?
you have already played with the motor settings so before gear recomendations and any motor adjustments we need to know tranny and any tranny being pushed by a motor out of factory design needs a bigger tranny cooler or at least a fan to move air over the tranny cooler.
good luck
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Old 06-25-2019, 05:42 PM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
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At545 is plate on trans

There is a print off from the school district it came from dated 6/97 that says

475lb/ft @ 1600rpm 94epa
Cum b 5.9 190hp @ 2300rpm

But I don't have any records of what the district did to it or whoever bought it from them. It changed hands a couple times after its service with me being the first to do more then rip out seats as far as I can tell.
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Old 06-25-2019, 05:43 PM   #14
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Photo of trans plate
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Old 06-25-2019, 07:40 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hazin View Post
At545 is plate on trans

There is a print off from the school district it came from dated 6/97 that says

475lb/ft @ 1600rpm 94epa
Cum b 5.9 190hp @ 2300rpm

But I don't have any records of what the district did to it or whoever bought it from them. It changed hands a couple times after its service with me being the first to do more then rip out seats as far as I can tell.
Maybe your tach is wrong. WIth that setup 55 is about all you'll get. I wouldn't even mess with the fuel or anything till you regear.
Maybe 2700 at 55 instead of 1700?
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Old 06-25-2019, 08:18 PM   #16
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A quick Google search says '98 was around the time the 24V Cummins 5.9 came out. The OP's builder's plate shows a build date late '97 and shop indicates it's a non-electronic engine. AT545 trans has 1:1 top gear, so yes, it would be tach'ed out at 55.


The redline for a 6BTA5.9 190 HP (475 torque) 12V is 2500 RPM (according to a quick search). All this lines up with the 55 top speed he is getting (though I suspect at 2500 RPM or close to it). So back to the gears, I'd say 4.10 gears will get 65-67, and 3.91 will get 70-73 (Educated guesstimate here, having already mathed mine with similar numbers.)
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Old 06-25-2019, 09:43 PM   #17
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur View Post
A quick Google search says '98 was around the time the 24V Cummins 5.9 came out. The OP's builder's plate shows a build date late '97 and shop indicates it's a non-electronic engine. AT545 trans has 1:1 top gear, so yes, it would be tach'ed out at 55.


The redline for a 6BTA5.9 190 HP (475 torque) 12V is 2500 RPM (according to a quick search). All this lines up with the 55 top speed he is getting (though I suspect at 2500 RPM or close to it). So back to the gears, I'd say 4.10 gears will get 65-67, and 3.91 will get 70-73 (Educated guesstimate here, having already mathed mine with similar numbers.)

That's what I was looking for. Thank you. Now to find em and get em in.
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Old 07-03-2019, 11:31 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Maybe your tach is wrong. WIth that setup 55 is about all you'll get. I wouldn't even mess with the fuel or anything till you regear.
Maybe 2700 at 55 instead of 1700?
I think you and Brad probly have it figured but wouldn't the prudent first move be to verify the tach?
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Old 07-03-2019, 11:48 PM   #19
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With no electronic limiting and 55 is as fast as you can go at 1700 rpm, are you sure your tranny is using all its forward gears?
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Old 07-03-2019, 11:57 PM   #20
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Hazin;

Call that serial number in to Chalk's Bus Parts in Houston. They got me re-geared with an unusual serial gear combination from Eaton. JT is the guy to talk with about this concern. He can come up with some amazing stuff. He got me from a 5.29 to a 4.11 ratio. BIG help! If that's too out-of-the-way, maybe use his help finding the gears working with a local shop? Just tossing out ideas.....

M
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