I love my 92 Cummins 190HP w/Banks 4speed Barth Breakaway...But I would like to hear your opinions, experience, costs, pros and cons in regards to upgrading the trans (if possible) to a six speed trans. Will a six speed increase top end speed? Help control downhill descents? Also what about a combo engine/trans upgrade? Who would you take it to for this work? If I could spend $10K-$15K for both it might be worth it? Or am I nowhere near those numbers?

quote:

Originally posted by hilarlee:
Will a six speed increase top end speed? Help control downhill descents? Also what about a combo engine/trans upgrade?

The six speed will indeed increase top end engine speed. If you get an overdrive and a proper torque converter you'll be better able to control both better.

If you do choose an engine upgrade stay with your Cummins 5.9L and get a replacement engine with the higher hp rating. By doing it that way you'll have all the brackets, braces and maybe the Banks kit to bolt back up without the added cost of special made components and the core on your engine will be taken.

You might need a bigger radiator and or a larger charge air cooler unit. With a new transmission the driveshaft would need to be reworked so consider going with a heavier duty tube.

Bill N.Y.

You might want to consider the new 6.7 liter Cummins out of a wrecked '06-'07 Dodge truck along with its computer. It also has an optional exhaust brake from the factory. Check out the specs from the article. 350hp/650ft.lbs. torque
http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/country/acf/newsID...esel-engine-revealed

Can you guys estimate the cost for the trans, engine, both? Labor costs?

HI Larry:

As you know I have the 230 HP Cummins and the Allison 6 speed, I cruise all day long at 1900 +/- RPM while doing 70 MPH, shifting down to 4th on steep hills ill keep the trans temp down because that is 1:1 gearing, 5th and 6th are both overdrives, the torque converter locks up after upshift to 2nd and stays locked up all thru the gears unlocking briefly when upshifting, stays locked during down shifting. (that is another benifit if you want to add an exhaust brake latter) I have a 4.10 rear diff. I don't think there is a better trans then the Allison 6 speed for RV use.

I have just returned from the SEMA show in Las Vegas and for the entire trip ~1100 miles I averaged 10.9 MPG, that includes about 100 miles driven to and from the show for three days in LV traffic. On leg I got about 11.7 MPG. Don't forget, I can't keep this thing below 68-70 on the flats, If I dropped down to 65, I'll bet my mileage goes up into the high 11s or low 12s.

I think you could do the swap out for the kind of money you mentioned, it all depends on where you get the components from and whether new or used.

If I am not mistaken, your 190 HP could be uprated to 230 HP very inexpensively, probably injector pump and turbo/intercooler is all. That would leave the Allison as the only major expense. I'll bet you can get a new driveshaft from Sparton directly, You could use my chassis number or the next time I call Spartan I will ask them. You will have a fairly costly wiring harness that goes from the trans to the front, don't know how much but maybe Sparton would have this also, I know the harness is a universal "one size fits all" because I have a wad of trans cable maybe 10' long that is stuffed into the front area by the electrical box.

I'll keep my eyes open for something for ya!

quote:

Originally posted by hilarlee:
Can you guys estimate the cost for the trans, engine, both? Labor costs?

When I looked at Jerry Ault's Breakaway at Cummins South (Atlanta), I was chatting with the shop manager while the office looked for the keys. He had a Furon for an engine exchange, 5.9L, and he mentioned it was $14K installed. I don't know if that included the transmission, but I don't think so.

quote:

Originally posted by MWrench:
If I am not mistaken, your 190 HP could be uprated to 230 HP very inexpensively, probably injector pump and turbo/intercooler is all. That would leave the Allison as the only major expense.

My friend owns a Cummins authorized repair shop - he races these engines. I asked him about increasing HP safely without replacing the pistons.

His answer: "250HP easy with the fuel plate replaced - new injectors - new turbo. If you have the engine serial number handy I can tell you how much more above or below 250 you can go. How many miles on the clock?"

So, seeing that you’re out of the CA area I would suggest a call to your local Cummins shop to get an exact quote. Because your engine is pre 94 you might as well replace the fuel injector pump with the reworked fuel plate. The only reason to suggest that is the low sulfur fuel on the injector pump seals.

Will CA allow you to upsize the HP? I know the're funny out there about stuff like that. I've heard stories about the C.A.R.B. and don't know how serious to take it.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill N.Y.:
My friend owns a Cummins authorized repair shop - he races these engines. I asked him about increasing HP safely without replacing the pistons.

His answer: "250HP easy with the fuel plate replaced - new injectors - new turbo. If you have the engine serial number handy I can tell you how much more above or below 250 you can go.

Bill N.Y.

There is a horsepower limitation on the 542 and 545. Not sure where it is, but it might be worth checking.

I'll take a trip to the local Cummins dealer and answer y'all back.
Anyone want to guess on the price for a 6speed installed?

quote:

Originally posted by hilarlee:
I'll take a trip to the local Cummins dealer and answer y'all back.
Anyone want to guess on the price for a 6speed installed?

You would be concerned about PRICE on a gift for your Barth?

My local Cummins guy and also one from Michigan Cummins stated that they would not go much above the 230 HP that mine is rated, 250 OK but NO MORE then that. As I mentioned I am very happy with the power that I have, any more will just cost me more fuel $$$, can't keep my foot off the throttle!!!

C.A.R.B. will not regulate what we can and can not do (on diesels) as there are no checks other then what "authorized service centers" will do. What I do is my own business and there is no checks that I would have to perform to meet any State regulations. "Autorized service centers" can be fined for making modifications that "may" effect emissions, individuals can get away with a lot more. For Gas units it is very difficult because of the bi-annual smog check which includes a visual of all emissions related parts on and around the engine not just what comes out of the pipe.

Larry, my WAG would be around $12K for the 6 speed installation. Lots of variables--.Thinking about this today--

1. Transmission
2. Transmission cooler (radiator)
3. All necessary hydraulic plumbing (hoses)
3. Complete wiring harness
4. Transmission computer
5. Transmission controller (selector panel)
6. Additional sensors
a. engine RPM sensor
b. throttle position sensor and linkage
7. Drive shaft
8. Differential?
don't know what ratio you currently have

These are the major items. Obviously, if you could find a coach that is being parted out or salvaged and could get everything transmission related would be the best possible scenario.

HTH

Might be worth a trip to Phoenix:

Arizona RV Salvage Phoenix 602-272-0301
Economy Used RV Parts Apache Junction 800-224-2601

Or at least a call.

Guys, does anyone have the model number of the 6 speed Allison transmission I should be looking for?

Doing research on parts / pricing...

http://www.trucks.com/parts_inventory.asp?page=1&catego...rch=ALLISON&dir=desc

HI Larry, mine is a MD3060, I will try to get more off the trans later today (after my next cup of coffee!!)

Make sure you include the wiring harness, controller and selector. The controller and/or selector was replaced on mine by the PO, don't know why but it is in the records, I know there were a few issues with the first year of these guys but I don't think many were serious mechanicals, electronics can get pricey thou--

Good luck!

I was checking the Banks turbo website. Here's some of the transmissions listed: Allison MD3060, MD3066 or 3000MH auto trans. It looks as if these Allison's are also used with the 8.3 liter Cummins motor which puts out quite a bit more torque and horsepower especially with the Banks, BD, Bullydog...kits.