MY Sick 310

[JMChrystie]

My 454 engine blew last year and I am getting ready to put in a new one. My thoughts are a GM crate with a fuel injection system. With gas expected to hit 3 a gallon, I am looking to get the best millage I can.
What Fuel sustem should I get? Any thoughts on this I would love to hear!!



Help

James

[87MH]

James:

Your situation is one that we (MH owners) all will probably have to face.

I agree with your assumption that gasoline (and diesel) prices will inflate in the near future.

If we are talking strictly gas engines, in my opinion, a fuel injection system will be more fuel efficient, all other parameters being equal (no emission constraints).

However.....

Your 310 probably does not have a computer, to go with FI you would have to procure one (salvage?), and have someone tune it for the MH application.

In my situation, (close to 16,000 lbs, with a sometimes toad), I need all the power the 454 puts out at 3000 rpm at 60mph. This may or may not be too fast for the 5.9 liter cummins (my personal diesel engine of choice....lots of 'em, they do fit into the engine compartment, weight fairly comparable to the 454). So.....depending on your rear end and torque/RPM requirements, an overdrive/underdrive may (or may not) be an additional investment.

Another thought (concern?), even with gas at $3.00 per gallon, you'd have to drive a bunch of miles to justify the initial expense of converting to diesel.

Be sure to go with a header/exhaust system tuned for MH applications (max efficiency 2500 to 3200 rpm), and eleminate all the intake air restrictions you can. Banks makes a good system, but certainly there are others available.

Good luck! Please keep the Forum posted on your decisions, progress, and results.

We're all just the proverbial "one hard hill pull" from your situation.

[qqq]

In Europe we power these big engines with LPG (costs half price)
How much is a gallon of LPG in the US?

Hart

[ALANSD]

have you checked the thread Al posted on his engine replacement? Lots of info on the engine choice, cost and such....
engine r&r

My opinion would be to weigh the overall cost of a new or reman 454 versus the other choices, adding in an exhaust upgrade, and better starter, and alternator.
With good maintenance this might be the best choice. The Cummins conversion could be a great idea if it fits the budget. There is some info here on that as well if you do a search you might pull it up.