Getting more power/efficiency

ladybird_bus · 02-14-2019, 09:00 AM

Hi Guys,

Newbie here. We just bought our first skoolie from the Gov auction site and picked her up yesterday.
We're wondering about getting more power and fuel efficiency from the engine. It's a V8 (2007 International CE200). Other than just starting with a basic tune up, does anyone have any advice on how to get more oomph and mileage out of our new baby?

Thanks!

Johnny Mullet · 02-14-2019, 10:20 AM

The bus will never be a powerhouse. Make sure it's running right and keep up on all the maintenance and it will last a long time. Is the check engine light on?

ladybird_bus · 02-14-2019, 10:27 AM

Nope

I think it's all running pretty well considering its age and how long its been sitting in a parking lot, unloved. We're looking for a mechanic in Portland who can give it the once over and tune the engine for us. I was just wondering if anyone has managed to get more efficiency out of these engines. I'm British, so 10 miles to the gallon (or less) seems pretty shocking inefficiency to me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

The bus will never be a powerhouse. Make sure it's running right and keep up on all the maintenance and it will last a long time. Is the check engine light on?

FamilyCircus · 02-14-2019, 06:36 PM

Just curious if its gas or diesel?

And which engine is it? Being an 07 international im going to guess it might have the VT365 V8 Diesel which is the same as the Ford 6.0L diesel engine.

If it is this engine dont do anything at all to sup it up, just maintain it and drive it with patience.

Johnny Mullet · 02-14-2019, 06:45 PM

10 MPG in a skoolie is actually good. Most motorhomes get 4-8 MPG regardless of engine type. My bus with the 7.3L gets 10 MPG and I am very happy with that.

ladybird_bus · 02-14-2019, 07:02 PM

It's a 6.0L V8 OHV 32V TURBO DIESEL.
Patience it is. ;)
That's not a problem for me, but for my VW-obsessed boyfriend, I think it'll be a bit more of a challenge

Quote:

Originally Posted by FamilyCircus

Just curious if its gas or diesel?

And which engine is it? Being an 07 international im going to guess it might have the VT365 V8 Diesel which is the same as the Ford 6.0L diesel engine.

If it is this engine dont do anything at all to sup it up, just maintain it and drive it with patience.

EastCoastCB · 02-14-2019, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybird_bus

Hi Guys,

Newbie here. We just bought our first skoolie from the Gov auction site and picked her up yesterday.
We're wondering about getting more power and fuel efficiency from the engine. It's a V8 (2007 International CE200). Other than just starting with a basic tune up, does anyone have any advice on how to get more oomph and mileage out of our new baby?

Thanks!

I'd just try to keep the focus on keeping it alive.

EastCoastCB · 02-14-2019, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybird_bus

Nope

I think it's all running pretty well considering its age and how long its been sitting in a parking lot, unloved. We're looking for a mechanic in Portland who can give it the once over and tune the engine for us. I was just wondering if anyone has managed to get more efficiency out of these engines. I'm British, so 10 miles to the gallon (or less) seems pretty shocking inefficiency to me!

What part of Britain are you from?

Brad_SwiftFur · 02-14-2019, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybird_bus

It's a 6.0L V8 OHV 32V TURBO DIESEL.
Patience it is. ;)
That's not a problem for me, but for my VW-obsessed boyfriend, I think it'll be a bit more of a challenge

You may want to *VERY* seriously consider "bulletproofing" this engine, if it hasn't already. The shortcomings are rather notorious (especially for the Ford 6.0 version). More than one forum member bought a bus with this engine and had a catastrophic engine failure on the trip home. A new engine was said to be around $25,000 (the failed ones could not be rebuilt).

EastCoastCB · 02-14-2019, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybird_bus

It's a 6.0L V8 OHV 32V TURBO DIESEL.
Patience it is. ;)
That's not a problem for me, but for my VW-obsessed boyfriend, I think it'll be a bit more of a challenge

Depends on what kind of VW's. My 66 beetle wasn't much faster than a bus when I got it!

Sleddgracer · 02-14-2019, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Depends on what kind of VW's. My 66 beetle wasn't much faster than a bus when I got it!

"at the front of every long line of traffic on a sunny summer Sunday afternoon is a Volkswagen bus making it's way up a hill"

solleks · 02-19-2019, 06:40 AM

i had a 6.0 for a few years they are amazing engines.

i think what happens is the egr cooler usually fails because it gets clogged from overheated coolant and then you get a waterfall effect of destruction after that.

you can put a coolant filter on if it doesnt already have it and monitor temps with gauges(tons of info about this online). or you can do the smart thing and get an EGR delete kit but it will throw a code so that can be a problem for registration in some areas

ladybird_bus · 02-19-2019, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solleks

i had a 6.0 for a few years they are amazing engines.

i think what happens is the egr cooler usually fails because it gets clogged from overheated coolant and then you get a waterfall effect of destruction after that.

you can put a coolant filter on if it doesnt already have it and monitor temps with gauges(tons of info about this online). or you can do the smart thing and get an EGR delete kit but it will throw a code so that can be a problem for registration in some areas

Thanks! We'll take a look at that.
It seems to be running really well, given its age - looks as though it's been very well maintained and the engine was rebuilt a few years ago. Definitely want to keep it in great condition though!

More Power · 02-23-2019, 05:09 PM

The VT365 engine can have the horsepower raised to 210 hp (i think with 485 lb-ft torque) without changing engine parts (all done through programming). The only condition that needs to be met is to make sure your transmission (and clutch if equipped) is rated to handle the new higher torque rating that goes with your higher horsepower.

n240sxguy · 02-24-2019, 09:00 PM

What’s the stock hp and torque in a bus setting? I have a 6.0 excursion, and it comes with 325/485. I’ve got a tuner and have it at 450/700. I definitely agree that you don’t need to do that in a bus. You’ll melt the valves before you get out of first gear. Also agree that the egr system needs to be deleted ASAP. The method of failure as I understand it is the oil cooler coolant side got plugged by the silica coming out of solution in the ford gold coolant, restricting flow to the egr cooler which basically melted, and then coolant gets in the intake and blows the head gaskets. The bus versions used different coolant, so usually had better luck not self destructing as easily. I thought the bus versions were also installed without the egr system, but probably not by 07.

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