Best engine and tranny

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by PB612

What do you guys think about this? I’ve just asked what model of tranny is

https://www.ebay.com/itm/233706338923

This is a good option. The bus you have did have this as an option so at least fabrication will be more limited then something that was not a factory option. It is non computer controlled, and your bus being a 96 is not computer controlled. I would go with a manual trans, there are a number of 6 or 7 speed trans that will fit.



Putting a 6-71 in is not going to be easy. and will need a lot of fabrication. I do have one for my shorty with a 5 speed eaton twin counter shaft trans. This came out of a dump truck. It does weigh a lot more then the original 444, so heavier springs, maybe even heavier axle might be in order. Service on the road will not support this type of build, you are on your own.


Staying with original equipment options lets you get parts and repairs anywhere that can service medium duty trucks.


Just a few thoughts....

[RolesvilleMarina]

As someone that also owns a Vista (1999 3600 7 window) I would have to say the best engine trans combo for this bus is hands down the T444E and Allison 2000 combo

I did this to my bus (Thread: Transmission Options in this forum)

If your bus is converted already and you are def keeping the Vista the very best thing you could do is look for a 2002 IH bus with T444E/2000 combo and swap it into your chassis

we cruise down the highway with the cruise on 64 running 2050 revs and get roughly 11 mpg. The bus will easily do 80 mph as well (but I dont)

Def couldn't be happier

[EastCoastCB]

Why wouldn't a Dt466 be better?

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

wouldn't a less than perfect but still factory 3060 with double OD be preferable to a 643? a NGD adn 3060 would sure be awesome to replace a 444/545, imo.

yeah the 3060 is preferrable because of its lockup and Overdrive.. the 3060 is a great transmission even in WTEC-II form.. im just saying that it will be a bit clumsy like a 643 is.. the 643 is a beast and solid as well but compared to the modern transmissions it is clumsy..



it all depends on what you are building and how you want it to drive.



replacing a 444 with a DT466 is an upgrade no matter how you slice it when it comes to a bus.. the low end torque of an I-6 eclipses that iof a V8 all day long..

[CHEESE_WAGON]

By shortnose, I presume OP is talking about a Vista, and I really don't think anything bigger is going to fit in this thing without surgery.

[cadillackid]

they sold the Vista with a DT466 (and DT466E).. that and the 444E are the only engines ive seen in them.. they may have had thje smaller DT360 as well, ive just not seen one.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

they sold the Vista with a DT466 (and DT466E).. that and the 444E are the only engines ive seen in them.. they may have had thje smaller DT360 as well, ive just not seen one.

ive seen them with dt360 and dt408

[ISAF2009]

Reseal the t444, ring bearings and a hone maybe. Big injectors from swamps, efficient ball bearing turbo and one of the various tune loaded hydra chips. More power than any stock diesel of that era or much later for a lot less money parts and labor. Leave your tranny alone or do an allison 1000.

[ISAF2009]

Yes in theory less cylinders per equal displacement makes more torque but there is a huge aftermarket available for the t444. T444’s running around in 300k mile pickups all around you are making more power and torque than any 466.

[RolesvilleMarina]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Why wouldn't a Dt466 be better?

If he has the skills sure

but if not keeping same motor would make the wiring and all a bit easier


hands down a inline six is better I agree

I meant otherwise

I purposly sought out a T444E mostly because I am most familiar with it and I figured there was a bit more luck finding "some" parts at a regular auto box store than most others

Otherwise I went IH because I did scouts 20+ years and I am used to their shite wiring. And I am just a IH fan

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by ISAF2009

Yes in theory less cylinders per equal displacement makes more torque but there is a huge aftermarket available for the t444. T444’s running around in 300k mile pickups all around you are making more power and torque than any 466.

Comparing the powerstrokes in trucks to the 444's in buses isn't a very fair comparison.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by RolesvilleMarina

If he has the skills sure

but if not keeping same motor would make the wiring and all a bit easier


hands down a inline six is better I agree

I meant otherwise

I purposly sought out a T444E mostly because I am most familiar with it and I figured there was a bit more luck finding "some" parts at a regular auto box store than most others

Otherwise I went IH because I did scouts 20+ years and I am used to their shite wiring. And I am just a IH fan

I sure miss my old 73 Terra II Scout.

[RolesvilleMarina]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I sure miss my old 73 Terra II Scout.

I've had a lot over the years

I think I mentioned I was one of the OG members of Binder Bulletin in the early 90's (now Binder Planet the largest IH fan site for scouts there is)

I was Wiredright (my old company)


been a while now though I have been out since I sold my last 68 800A