Upgrade Trans

[Gafferlv]

Has anyone put a newer trans with Overdrive in a 76 argosy? Is it worth the mileage gain compared to cost?

[barts]

Unless you do a lot of driving, it is difficult to recoup those kinds of costs - unless you get parts and labor for free . Do the math to determine your break-even point; you'll likely discover you can drive for many many miles for a fraction of what such a conversion would cost.

Again, if you have the skills, tranny and the time, it makes find sense - if you enjoy that sort of thing.4

Example calculation (all numbers are guesses; I have no idea what they actually would be):

mileage w/ old tranny (C6 ?): 11
mileage w/ new tranny (lockup + overdrive): 13

@$4/gal gas, cost per mile for fuel goes from $0.36/mile to
$0.31. Assume job costs $1000; mileage for payback is
1000/(.36 - .31) = 20,000 miles. If you drive a lot, it might
be worth it.

Your likely fuel savings are not this large, and your costs are likely
to be quite a bit higher.

- Bart

[klattu]

I'd love to get 11 mpg

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by klattu

I'd love to get 11 mpg

Yeah, usually it's more like 8--or less. That's still better than SOB motor homes, which get 6--or less...

[barts]

Sounds like they need a entire engine & tranny transplant.... 8 mpg? I got that once in my F250 - pulling 8000 lbs of dump trailer over Donner Pass from Sacramento to Reno w/ a really unaerodynamic load. On the flats w/ our Airstream we're getting 14-15 @60mph.

- Bart