Using the Cummins Diesel in my Argosy
I have always planned on doing a diesel conversion even before I purchased my MH. Well folks I have now bitten off the bullet and will attempt to put a 2005 Cummins diesel into my 1977 24" Argosy MH. After much research, here are some of my conclusions: I determined the Cummins to be the best diesel for the swap. Reasons: The GM 6.2 and 6.5 engines are underpowered unless you do a lot of High Performance mods which then end up costing bunches of money. Also the higher you raise the HP & torque levels in these engines the more you risk overheating them because they do not have an intercooler, and the pre 2001 (before AM General took over) engines have weaker cases. The Duramax is a great engine, but because the Turbo is on top, it will not fit in the Doghouse. I am not a Ford guy so can not comment on their diesel. If you swap a diesel for a gasser, you should use an overdrive transmission because of the lower rev limit and peak torque comes in much earlier. If you use a higher rear end gear, you will lose a lot of power in those hills.
Now for the Cummins: Legendary durability. Average life before rebuild, 350,000 miles, some known to go 1,000,000 miles. Slim straight six with the turbo mounted on the lower right hand side. Less parts and runs cooler than V8 diesels. Weighs 400 lbs more than the 454, put in some higher rated springs or use heavy duty air bags which will give you an extra 1,000 lbs capacity. Later model Cummins (2003+), are very quite in comparison to the earlier ones. Power: 325HP, 610Ft lbs of torque, this can be easily increased if so desired. Engine will run on Bio diesel or waste vegetable oil. Buy the way, bio-diesel and WVO will mix with No2 diesel. The WVO has to be in a separate heated tank via some rerouted coolant lines but once you run out of WVO in that tank, just put in the N02.
As for initial cost, if you are patient, you can find a salvaged low mileage late model Cummins diesel with the Dodge four speed overdrive attached and sometimes all the extras; serpentine belt and fan, alternator, AC compressor, power steering pump, starter etc. I've seen these go for $3,500 to $6,000 on Ebay. I was looking at a High Performance 6.5 diesel (300HP) but it was going to cost $8,000 to $10,000 plus the cost of the overdrive transmission.
Downside: All the late model diesels are electronic. This results in greater power and effeciency, plus reduces particulate emissions, but may make for a more complex installation. Make sure you get the ECU when you purchase, although a rebuilt one can be had for $400.
So in summary: IMHO if you compare a old slightly modified underpowered GM 6.2 TD diesel that cost $4,000 to $5,000 (without overdrive trans) to a late model Cummins engine for a couple of thousand more (with trans), I'll go for the Cummins, and I did. Now will all this work? Well I guess I am going to find out. I will give it my best shot! See you down the road, I hope!
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