3126B vs c7

[Mat7783]

Looking at 3126 bus with AT545 tranny and newer bus with C7 and Allison 2000 tranny. Which would be a better decision? The 2000 is an improved tranny from what I am learning on this forum and is the C7 really a better and improved power plant over the 3126?? Any and all thoughts are appreciated...

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Mat7783

Looking at 3126 bus with AT545 tranny and newer bus with C7 and Allison 2000 tranny. Which would be a better decision? The 2000 is an improved tranny from what I am learning on this forum and is the C7 really a better and improved power plant over the 3126?? Any and all thoughts are appreciated...

The C7 suffers from the same EPA issues every motor made after 2004 does. Problematic, hard to diagnose, expensive to repair. I think everyoine here would opt for the 3126 over the C7. I'd take the C7 if my choice was between those 2 trannys.

[brokedown]

I'd keep looking for better options. Between the two with all else being equal i'd probably go for the C7 but there are a lot more buses out there than these two.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Mat7783

Looking at 3126 bus with AT545 tranny and newer bus with C7 and Allison 2000 tranny. Which would be a better decision? The 2000 is an improved tranny from what I am learning on this forum and is the C7 really a better and improved power plant over the 3126?? Any and all thoughts are appreciated...

No the C7 isn't improved in any way. Its an emissions compliance difference.
The 3126 is as good as it gets for medium duty cats in buses.
The 545 is not as good as it gets.
But mostly depends on the use of the bus. 545 is ok in a shorty, as they're lighter and all that.

[Mat7783]

I am looking at 28 to 30 footer so I am concerned about the 545 being stout enough for long trips.. I like the IC buses with DT466 but they seems more expensive to acquire . Looking at spending 6k?🤔

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Mat7783

I am looking at 28 to 30 footer so I am concerned about the 545 being stout enough for long trips.. I like the IC buses with DT466 but they seems more expensive to acquire . Looking at spending 6k?🤔

There's lots of DT466 equipped buses out there, no need to pay $6k when you can find them for half that. Find one with the trans you want, be patient.

[Mat7783]

Thank you all for the valued input and Merry Christmas!

[cadillackid]

2003 and older 466E's have no EGR which is a plus.. 3126 is a fantastic engine..
C7 is a good engine but some of the earlier years suffered from ACERT issues.. not all of them..



the AT545 - Ive burned up 2 of them in 2 of my busses... I drive my busses all over the country.. if you plan to make your bus a weekend cruiser to the lake and not too many tall mountains.. install a bigger cooler and drive it.. if you plan to run all over the country mountains and flat.. and long trips.. find a bus wit ha better transmission.
-Christopher