
	Already a member? Login here. If not, Register Today! \| Help

Newest | Active | Popular | RVing FAQ

Forum Rules | Forum Posting Help and Support | Contact

Open Roads Forum > Class A Motorhomes > Projects & Upgrades

Reply to Topic | Subscribe | Print Topic | Post New Topic |

Sponsored By:

CamaroMan

Long Beach, CA

New Member

Joined: 07/19/2022

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 07/19/22 04:50pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Hi all, so me being a little daft just bought a 2000 cummins 8.3 with an allison transmisison out of a water truck with 60k miles..

Was hoping to swap in a 5.9, we already swapped another 440 over and the whole thing is torn down for a full restoration.

Is the CUMMINS 8.3 (corrected from 8.1!) a viable option? I have a shop and more than able to fab/cut/weld etc-

Just curious is its worth pursuing?

I might just swap the motor and trans in for the OD, and if necessary any controllers for the trans if necessary.. the motor I believe is mechanical ..

Thanks

This is a pic of the motor

[image]

* This post was edited 07/24/22 03:09pm by CamaroMan *

Bruce Brown

Northern NY

Moderator

Joined: 06/01/2001

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Posted: 07/19/22 06:09pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Do it! Just post a bunch of pictures of the build. Sounds like a fun project!

There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910

RLS7201

Beautyful Downtown Gladstone, MO

Senior Member

Joined: 10/26/2002

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 07/20/22 11:42am

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

I believe the 8.1 Chevy engine would be the best option. It would be a lot quitter under the dog house. It should have plenty of "get up and go" for your application. As far as I know, all the 8.1s are EFI and would require the electronics from a downer.

Richard

95 Bounder 32H F53
460/528 stroker
2013 CRV Toad
2 Segways in Toad
First brake job
1941 Hudson

Lwiddis

Southern California :(

Senior Member

Joined: 08/12/2016

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline

Posted: 07/20/22 12:43pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Very low mileage for that diesel and worth the effort IMO.

Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

wolfe10

Florida

Senior Member

Joined: 10/08/2000

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 07/20/22 02:15pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

8.1 Chevy/GM engine-- yes.

Cummins 8.3/ Allison transmission-- NO WAY. Would way overload the front suspension. And, enough torque to do real damage (more than twice OE torque).

Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38'FDDS
Ex: 1997 Safari 35'
Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240

Diesel RV Club:http://www.dieselrvclub.org/

Argosy24

Senior Member

Joined: 05/09/2003

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Posted: 07/21/22 05:32am

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

You need to stick with a gas engine.

From the picture what you don't have is going to cost thousands of dollars and you're looking at thousands of hours of fabrication. There's nothing about that chassis that was made for an engine and trans that size- you need a new one. You'll lose a huge amount of floor space to gain minimal accessibility to do maintenance. Good access with room for the sound and heat insulation to make sitting next to an old mechanical diesel for hours on end would mean an engine cover would be too big for seats.

2bzy2c

California

Senior Member

Joined: 02/15/2010

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 07/22/22 07:27pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

We have a member here who is going on 5 years rebuilding a class C. It is
a never ending project and when you are done, the RV is worthless.

If you like to tinker, then it’s for you. If you like to camp and travel,
buy a decent used one. You will save money and time in the long run.

My advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

CamaroMan

Long Beach, CA

New Member

Joined: 07/19/2022

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 07/23/22 11:08am

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Thanks for the replies - I was a little concerned about the weight - not so much torque/etc.. its 1000 lbs over the 440 in there currently.. Not sure the M300 chassis can handle that, but there is 12 inch i beam between the front rails which I thought was insanely overkill at the time.. not even sure if the tire ratings would hold up.. bear in mind this is a light weight motorhome (14500k gross original, 12500 when we are done with complete overhaul), not a drag car..

fwiw - this is a C8.3 - mechanical, no elec required. Currently have a 440 in there -

Torque would only be harmful if we over used it, for RV cruising I would hardly be tapping the throttle.. even IF we had say 700 ft lbs on tap we would use half that or a little more..

I have the complete frame rail available and the motorhome is currently stripped..

Mixed opinions here -

We can refab an engine cover if need be. I own a marine repair shop.. this is a project and aware of some issues.