new 8 window flat nose 5.9 at545 owner

[Kvan77]

I have been on the site for years. but finally purchased a 94 8 window flat nose fe bluebird. 5.9 ve at 545. im in mass. Will be flying down to pick up in NC. i always wanted a 26 footer. most of my travel will be 200 mile trips or less for the next 2 years. I know this has been discussed on here. but im wondering about expected speed on highway? my mechanic looked at it for me. he did not take a pick of the rear ratio. but it is in the 5's. the bus has 88k on it. it was a church bus from Florida. and is already converted and registered as an rv. owner states 65 to 68 on highway. im thinking maybe downhill. does anyone know the approx weight? is that speed possible? looking at allison 1000 or 2000 swaps also. just to keep the rpms down and be able to change fuel pin injectors and turbo, so it has a little more pep. I looked for a long time and this bus already not being yellow, converted reg, and rust free ,with low miles and being within 1k miles of me. I had to pull the trigger. and im a sucker for a low mile 6bt. it seams like a newer bus with a 24v and overdrive transmission that is an 8 window flat nose just are not too common. I just wanted to make a introductory post. and just ask the speed question. and would an allison 1000 be strong enuff for this size bus? or is a 2000 a better option. thanx in advance for any feedback

 

[Kvan77]

I have been on the site for years. but finally purchased a 94 8 window flat nose fe bluebird. 5.9 ve at 545. im in mass. Will be flying down to pick up in NC. i always wanted a 26 footer. most of my travel will be 200 mile trips or less for the next 2 years. I know this has been discussed on here. but im wondering about expected speed on highway? my mechanic looked at it for me. he did not take a pick of the rear ratio. but it is in the 5's. the bus has 88k on it. it was a church bus from Florida. and is already converted and registered as an rv. owner states 65 to 68 on highway. im thinking maybe downhill. does anyone know the approx weight? is that speed possible? looking at allison 1000 or 2000 swaps also. just to keep the rpms down and be able to change fuel pin injectors and turbo, so it has a little more pep. I looked for a long time and this bus already not being yellow, converted reg, and rust free ,with low miles and being within 1k miles of me. I had to pull the trigger. and im a sucker for a low mile 6bt. it seams like a newer bus with a 24v and overdrive transmission that is an 8 window flat nose just are not too common. I just wanted to make a introductory post. and just ask the speed question. and would an allison 1000 be strong enuff for this size bus? or is a 2000 a better option. thanx in advance for any feedback

 

[nikitis]

You will not get 65 highway unless you're redlining the engine. It'll go 55mph @ 2400 RPM. Which is high RPMs. 50 is the most comfortable speed you'll have. The t444e can run okay at 2400tpm but that's it's highest safe limit..

This isn't an engine limitation but a transmission one, and transmissions are not compatible with that engine of those years without a lot of modifications which make upgrading the trans a huge ordeal. It is doable but expect to pay about 15-19k to get it done.

If you do decide to go the trans upgrade route a md3060 trans with the same engine will let you go 85mph no problem. The at545 is that bad.

 

[Kvan77]

You will not get 65 highway unless you're redlining the engine. It'll go 55mph @ 2400 RPM. Which is high RPMs. 50 is the most comfortable speed you'll have. The t444e can run okay at 2400tpm but that's it's highest safe limit..

This isn't an engine limitation but a transmission one, and transmissions are not compatible with that engine of those years without a lot of modifications which make upgrading the trans a huge ordeal. It is doable but expect to pay about 15-19k to get it done.

If you do decide to go the trans upgrade route a md3060 trans with the same engine will let you go 85mph no problem. The at545 is that bad.

thanx for the reply. im fully capable of doing all the work myself for tranny swap. looks like its doable for under 5k in parts. but you are right. the 545 is probably fine for 200 mile or less trips. I just found out the rear is 4.78. so hopefully 55 will be the sweet spot

 

[nikitis]

Mine is 8 window Thomas, but same year as yours with same AT545 and rear gear ratio so it's the same. You'll do 50 at like 2200 RPM, and 55 at 2400 RPM. Over that and you'll feel the engine working too hard.

 

[Kvan77]

Mine is 8 window Thomas, but same year as yours with same AT545 and rear gear ratio so it's the same. You'll do 50 at like 2200 RPM, and 55 at 2400 RPM. Over that and you'll feel the engine working too hard.

have you added a tranny cooler or temp gauge to monitor? only long trip is getting it home. was planning to stop every hour or so to let thing cool off. or do you think it is not needed. I will be making my way to 95 ASAP so not many hills

 

[nikitis]

The AT545 will run all day long at 2400 RPM and be fine if the transmission is healthy. No need for a cooler.

Expect temps to be 190-210. Varies by each AT545. Mine runs at 195 at 55mph. It can go up if I'm pushing 60+ for any period of time which is why I say don't drive it that fast you'll wear it out for sure. You'll hit 60 MPH when going down hill but then there's no stress on anything and you are mostly rolling due to weight at that speed. 50-55 is where you'll want to stay maximum. Only time I've seen it go up to 230 is when I went up a 9 mile ramp up a mountain. 230 is the maximum you want it to ever get to so if it gets there, stop and let it cool down. I can go up short hills without overheating no problem, it's only like the 5+ mile long hills it starts to overheat, and it can run at 220 fine as well. I do have a healthy AT545. Stop when it gets to 230 if you have such a hill you are climbing. If it's getting close to 230 while on near flat hills, even a slight incline shouldn't raise it that high but if you find that to be the case, then could indicate an issue with cooling.

If you do get that trans upgrade done, be sure to come back here and document what you did. We need more examples of swaps for this.

 

[Kvan77]

The AT545 will run all day long at 2400 RPM and be fine if the transmission is healthy. No need for a cooler.

Expect temps to be 190-210. Varies by each AT545. Mine runs at 195 at 55mph. It can go up if I'm pushing 60+ for any period of time which is why I say don't drive it that fast you'll wear it out for sure. You'll hit 60 MPH when going down hill but then there's no stress on anything and you are mostly rolling due to weight at that speed. 50-55 is where you'll want to stay maximum. Only time I've seen it go up to 230 is when I went up a 9 mile ramp up a mountain. 230 is the maximum you want it to ever get to so if it gets there, stop and let it cool down. I can go up short hills without overheating no problem, it's only like the 5+ mile long hills it starts to overheat, and it can run at 220 fine as well. I do have a healthy AT545. Stop when it gets to 230 if you have such a hill you are climbing. If it's getting close to 230 while on near flat hills, even a slight incline shouldn't raise it that high but if you find that to be the case, then could indicate an issue with cooling.

If you do get that trans upgrade done, be sure to come back here and document what you did. We need more examples of swaps for this.

so I am guessing you did add an aftermarket gauge to monitor?

 

[nikitis]

No just the factory gauge. It was one of the few gauges working on mine when I bought it. it only lists like 175, 200, 230 on the gauge, but you can visually see the indicator line and get a good rough indicator of the temps with it. If the line is below 200 slightly it's probably 195'ish. On straight roads my needle is just before the 200 line.

I realize that's the engine temp, but it's similar on the trans. If the engine temp is rising it's often due to resistance on the transmission. So the values i've given you are in relation to that gauge. It's still good to go by with those values on that gauge.

 

[desrtdog]

@nikitis - OP has a Cummins 5.9 not the T444 … max rpm on that should be around 2600, which with the 545 and that rear ratio, and depending on tire size puts max speed somewhere around 60….Slow lane for sure on I-95.

@Kvan77 - if you have the VIN, you can probably get some more info on specs from vantage.blue-bird.com

 

[nikitis]

had to read up, I guess I misread it. There were a couple of other T444E threads today so I may have gotten them mixed up.

Still, nothing changes. All still applies with the AT545.

 

[Bjorkinman]

Great platform for a bus. Already has LED headlights and an awning too! Let us know how the trip fares.

 

[Kvan77]

Great platform for a bus. Already has LED headlights and an awning too! Let us know how the trip fares.

will do. flying down after work on Thursday. and taking my time getting it back on friday

 

[magnakansas]

Kvan77, telephone me, I can give you a very good idea what to expect. 7852077600

William

 

[#1FordFan]

For longer trips and inclines YOU WANT THAT ENGINE TO BE AT 22-2300 what this does is it spins the oil pump (coolant for the crank and cam) at a faster rate, along with water pump and fan (same reason) doing this is easier on the engine than forcing it to make the same torque at 1750 and over stressing the engine.
A lot of thought went into the proper gearing.
If it was designed to run 70mph it would likely have a 8.3L and a MD3060. From the factory