7.3L or DT444E?

[EastCoastCB]

With the 444E vs the DT466E, I've found they both peter out at about the same RPM and the real difference is that the DT pulls hard from lower RPM's on up.

[Chad1865]

Thanks for all the help, EastCoast and Christopher. I hear you on the inline 6's now.

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a 5-6x window with a DT466 and Allison tranny other than an AT545. They seem elusive!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Chad1865

Thanks for all the help, EastCoast and Christopher. I hear you on the inline 6's now.

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a 5-6x window with a DT466 and Allison tranny other than an AT545. They seem elusive!

For a 4 or 6 window I'd also consider a Cummins or a Cat 3126. Both are good, serviceable engines and more than adequate for a shorty.
I've got a 5 window Thomas with a LOW mile Cat 3126 and a reman 545.
I don't have mountains here so I'll live with the 545 since I got the bus dirt cheap. I'll upgrade it later when funds are more plentiful.
I'm really pleased with the 3126. One of these with a good transmission would be a nice combo.
I've also got a 6 window that has a DT466E with 215hp and an allison 2000. Its got gobs of power.
I love both setups but I'm kinda thinking I like the Cat a bit more. Maybe the leaking timing cover on the DT has something to do with that.

[Chad1865]

EastCoast, both those buses are beauts! Where did you get them, if you don't mind me asking?

Are the Cummins and Cat 3126 bad engines in the 5 window setup, or do they simply not come in that size?

[cadillackid]

5 window full chassis are somewhat unusual.. bluebird and thomas both made one in the 90s.. Superior and ward had them in the 70s.. im not sure ive seen a 5 window full chassis bus since late 90s..



5 window busses came all the time in the Van cutaway chassis and in the P-30 (bread truck style) chassis.



6 window are real common in the full chassis


-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Chad1865

EastCoast, both those buses are beauts! Where did you get them, if you don't mind me asking?

Are the Cummins and Cat 3126 bad engines in the 5 window setup, or do they simply not come in that size?

Cummins and Cats can be found in lots of short buses.

I got both mine on Public Surplus.

[Chad1865]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

5 window full chassis are somewhat unusual.. bluebird and thomas both made one in the 90s.. Superior and ward had them in the 70s.. im not sure ive seen a 5 window full chassis bus since late 90s..



5 window busses came all the time in the Van cutaway chassis and in the P-30 (bread truck style) chassis.



6 window are real common in the full chassis


-Christopher

Ahh, that would explain why I've only seen one 5x window full-chassis and it was mid-90s. Thanks!


EastCoast, I may have to go back to PublicSurplus/GovDeals. I was trying to avoid the auction wait and travel, but I do see a fair number of good buses on there...

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Chad1865

Ahh, that would explain why I've only seen one 5x window full-chassis and it was mid-90s. Thanks!


EastCoast, I may have to go back to PublicSurplus/GovDeals. I was trying to avoid the auction wait and travel, but I do see a fair number of good buses on there...

The 99 Thomas 5 window with the Cat was $1625. It has 64 original miles and 3300 hours. The engine is CLEAN.
This bus would be big bucks at a dealer.

[North]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

A capable scan tool would be able to change a few settings including the road speed limiter and other tweaks. It is possible that bus is governed for road speed by the computer parameters.

My 2003 international T444e 7.3L Turbo Diesel has a speed limit of 50mph

[RolesvilleMarina]

Our Vista has the T444E

I guess I am one of the few it was the engine I wanted, and was most familiar with.

We also had an AT545 and with 4.78 gearing and the lower profile tires we pegged at about 57 MPH at full RPM of 2500. waaaay too high for the old girl to be happy.

I upgraded to an Allison 2000 (not easy, not for everyone) but now I run 64mph at 2050 revs. I can do 80, I don't slow much on hills
It was all about that .74 OD the 2000 has, and now my gear ration in the rear is great combo of speed and power.

next is to up my HP to the next punch on the ticket on the side of the motor... I am 175 and the bus does well... no racehorse off the line, but on the highway she purrs at 2k revs and we can talk in a normal voice and hear the radio.

So remember when you are shopping that your gear ratio will make just as much if not more of a factor than JUST transmission.

some districts request shorter rear ends to mechanically limit speed so that one cannot just go in the program and up the numbers

as in my case I removed the limiter, and excitedly jumped on the highway and was sorely disappointed at the net gain of just 2 mph more

cheers
Dave

[cadillackid]

Rolesville is right about gears. My gearing is the other way, too tall, in 6th gear at 65 I’m at like 1550-1600 rpm which is too low, I need to gear down so I have more RPMs.

In my case I can’t really make good use of 6th gear until I’m at 70 or above. And I like to cruise at 65 so my 3.54 gears and 19.5” tires are too high of a ratio. I really need a 4.10 gear.

Too low of rpm is just as bad as too high. You can run the exhaust temperature up and damage the engine if you lug it. In my case it have the ability to program the transmission directly so I have it set to downshift rather quickly if I push it hard at lower rpm.

Rolesville running at around 2000 rpm is just about perfect for the 444e. 1800-2200 is where it gives a great balance of rpm and power.

[RolesvilleMarina]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

Rolesville running at around 2000 rpm is just about perfect for the 444e. 1800-2200 is where it gives a great balance of rpm and power.

I did learn from the best mate

maybe you heard of him? Goes by Cadillac something or other

My goal next is to bump the hp up just slightly to the next notch... I don't think I need to turn it up any more... I've had no real issues towing or doing anything so far... but thought 190 (is that next?) would be nice... 210 maybe too much. Air Bnb is still always available your next FL trip.

I find that 2050 revs and 64mph does two things
1. It sounds right... it smooths out perfectly at that rpm and sounds perfectly happy
2. at 64 mph in 70 zones I can set the cruise, and it is amazing that I can do exactly that.. cruise. Everyone else goes around me

[Doof108]

Hi Chad,

I saw your questions on here and wondered if that bus and engine, the T444E worked out for you as I am considering buying a 6 window.

I saw you mentioned Houston for some research you did as that is where I live.

Thank you, any thoughts at all would be appreciated.

Alan