5.9 vs DT360

[bansil]

so the buses around here (i'll call them 3/4 length)
either have a 5.9 or the DT360
all have 545 allisons
all have air brakes

I know about the cummins platform and the DT360 seems to be a good engine as long as it doesn't smoke

so what is everyones thoughts on the 2?

I like how the 360 can be rebuilt in the bus from very common parts

5.9 is popular...dugh it's in a million trucks

anyone know pros and cons of both?

I've read that 500K on a 360 is very common,I have also seen 400K on the 5.9's


TIA

[bansil]

no comments not even smart azz'd ones?

[TheRainbowBoxer]

i have a 5.9... it made it from TN to OH. No idea on the 360 other than I was told by a friend its a dog.

[keith]

5.9 is the best work eng ever made,they better than them corn haulers..i got the 5.9 160 hp in my bus and it pulls these Ga & Tenn mtns just fine,mybe slow up hill,put who in a hurry to go no where ???? if u drive it right ,it will last 1000.000 miles...

[chev49]

i have worked on lots of cummings.. there are a zillion 5.9 ones out there and the parts arent excessively high. They are not my favorite engine as they are too small for the vehicle they are put in. That being said, if ya aint hauling 60K lbs, they will work.
So, if all things were equal, i would probably buy that one...
But, one has to consider other factors... like mileage comparisons, over all condition of the vehicles, transmisssion mileages - if one is rebuilt, and one not... tires, bullet holes or whatever.. and maybe even price

I sold my coach bus and bought my thomas because i really like the turbo cat v8; and the mt643 trans - which is also very cheap to rebuild or even purchase. The cat engine is more expensive for parts than the above motors, but usually only needs bearings rolled in at 25,000 hrs.
if everything was equal... of the two choices, i would probably choose the cummings...
BTW.. you can increase the HP if ya just do a little pump work...

[bansil]

Now...thats better

For engine tuning of the Cummins I'm lucky cause I know some fellas that run them in thier Baja trucks

But with the 545 trans I can't do much more and it survive.

Every school bus I have looked at has the 545 trans, I would prefer a different one,but that can happen down the road

Keeping fingers crossed,I am going to look at another one this weekend 3/31/12
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++

I went monday to put some money down on a 89Thomas (non school bus) 360,545 air brakes which I looked at on saturday 3-24-12...it was gone

[opus]

The 360 is a good engine but rather a dud. I'd opt for the 5.9.