76 Argosy Cummins 12v swap

[JohnnyD]

I picked up a 76 Argosy 28 mid year. The prior owners had attempted to replace the blown 454 and lost many parts. I picked up a 96 Dodge 2500 with a cummins as a donor vehicle for its power train.

Am I a pioneer here? Anyone else transplanted a 12v into these RVs?

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

I picked up a 76 Argosy 28 mid year. The prior owners had attempted to replace the blown 454 and lost many parts. I picked up a 96 Dodge 2500 with a cummins as a donor vehicle for its power train.



Am I a pioneer here? Anyone else transplanted a 12v into these RVs?

Simple answer is no. A quick search will show that it has been done many times before but also there are current threads for folks currently in the process of doing it.

[Smartstream]

I have a 1987 Classic with factory installed Cummins. I can get you pics or whatever might help. I am camping now so it might be a day or two.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

I have a 1987 Classic with factory installed Cummins. I can get you pics or whatever might help. I am camping now so it might be a day or two.

Anything, Info, pictures would help.
Any pictures of engine in relation to the body.
Pictures of motormounts.
Which generator model did yours come with?
What axle ratio does yours have?
Size tires?
Mileage?
Charges up moutains?

I need to do a stock swap into the RV and get it blessed by DMV. I plan on bumping it to about 500hp and built transmission afterward.

[Smartstream]

Check your Private Massage.

[alantbird]

I always wanted to do that as those 454s were a bad choice and never held up.

[Eric 26 Argo]

Those are good motor for trucks. But a 12V is SO LOUD. It will be like riding in a helicopter and trying to have a conversation without headsets.
But as long as your doing it post pictures.

[davejay]

Hey,
I had a 91 dodge w cummins. I was going to trade it in, in 95 and if I'm not mistaken, I was told they had pump trouble with the 95s something to look into. My cummins wasn't to loud, but I wasn't sitting right next to it either. He does have a point, they are a super engine, simple to get serviced, there is a ton of them out there. They used that motor in tractors. It's bull it proof. Mine didn't break in completely till I had 38 K on it. And you got to remember, you weight 14-16 K. It's no pickup. Your going to be in the throttle way more, thus, more noise. My dodge got 18.7 all day long. I weighted in at almost 9 k loaded. 5 speed manual transmission. I put on 150 K in 2 years. I'd be surprised if you got any better than 12 mpg. Is it worth all the trouble for that? Well, just some stuff to ponder. DJ

[Isuzusweet]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

I need to do a stock swap into the RV and get it blessed by DMV. I plan on bumping it to about 500hp and built transmission afterward.

I'm planning on doing the 12 valve 1993 Cummins swap into my 1975 Argosy 24' motorhome this summer. I have two Cummins to choose from, and two transmissions, (Allison AT542 and a Dodge RH47).

The problem with boosting Cummins 6BT's with big power, is that you reduce their life span. A 500 hp Cummins will have half, if not one quarter the lifespan of a 180hp Cummins 6BT.
I'm looking at a 215, maybe 230 hp (max hp for the Allison) for durability.

Cheers
Sidekick Tony