Thanksgiving Raton Pass. Survey
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11-22-2006, 03:05
Post: #1
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Thanksgiving Raton Pass. Survey
Bruce, I had figured that unless I went big (read:300HP+) I would not get enough
bang for my buck. One of our issues with the new bird is while living in Gunnison has its benefits, you have to drive over a pass any direction you head out of here. For instance, to head east, Monarch Pass is the most direct route, 11K'+, the climb up is about 7 miles, at 20 MPH, that's about 20-25 minutes, not a great delay in the grand scheme of things, but fairly arduous, and I hate holding up traffic. I know that I could (if I were able) spend another $250K and scoot right up in some other, high HP bus, but then I wouldn't have a vintage Bird...oh the injustice of it all. It seems that the 3208T is the easiest choice for a repower, but alot of work and several $$$ for another 15ish MPH. I see some folks doing a Cummins conversion, but I can't imagine it would be alot better...if any, just more work. Seems like a medium duty Duramax with the Allison might be a good choice, but now we start re-inventing the wheel, we bought the bus for recreation, not another project. Any thoughts?? Doug birdshill123 Raton Pass as my "dyno test" Our 88 FC is able to maintain 32mph while towing a 4400 lb. Toyota Tacoma. The Bird was empty as we had just bought our baby and were driving it home. I have never driven an NA FC but there is a big difference in power from a 250 Turbo to the 300 Turbo. Bruce 1988 FC35 Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO. 1981 FC35SB "Pokey" --------------------------------- Sponsored Link Mortgage rates near 39yr lows. $510,000 Mortgage for $1,698/mo - Calculate new house payment [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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11-22-2006, 05:13
Post: #2
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Thanksgiving Raton Pass. Survey
Doug:
Sometimes you just have to live with what you have. In drag racing we called this " run what you brung" Our Bounder 39Z with a 300 HP Cummins will climb that same pass at 42 to 45 mph. I have seen big HP units that can climb as fast as they want to go. I dont have to be the first up the hill but I do not want to drive at 12 mph. We will be using our Bird in Southern Mexico and there are some mountains where the climb up is nothing compared to the downhill ride. I wish the brakes were better. THe ZF tranny brake is not that great. It heats up quickly. You also have to make sure you slow down enought to let it downshift. A whole different way of driving. I am envious of the earlier Birds with the electric driveshaft brake. Bruce 1988 FC35 |
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11-22-2006, 05:53
Post: #3
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Thanksgiving Raton Pass. Survey
When I contacted my insurance company (Pemco) to add our newly
acquired 1980 Bird, a with it's naturally aspirated 3208, the agent required me to swear, among other things, "that this vehicle will never be entered in organized road racing or in competitive off-road driving events." I reluctantly surrendered my racing rights, thus dashing my dreams of 30 second tire changes followed by trophy winning dashes across Snoqualmie Pass. George & Roberta Lewandowski 1980 FC 31' (a work in progress) |
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11-22-2006, 06:59
Post: #4
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Thanksgiving Raton Pass. Survey
All points well well taken. I would also agree that in the grand scheme of
things, better ability to slow down would be nice also. I suppose I just have to put my bus racing aspirations aside and enjoy the view. Happy T-Day. Doug Lewandowski98040 contacted my insurance company (Pemco) to add our newly acquired 1980 Bird, a with it's naturally aspirated 3208, the agent required me to swear, among other things, "that this vehicle will never be entered in organized road racing or in competitive off-road driving events." I reluctantly surrendered my racing rights, thus dashing my dreams of 30 second tire changes followed by trophy winning dashes across Snoqualmie Pass. George & Roberta Lewandowski 1980 FC 31' (a work in progress) Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO. 1981 FC35SB "Pokey" --------------------------------- Sponsored Link Degrees online in as fast as 1 Yr - MBA, Bachelor's, Master's, Associate - Click now to apply [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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11-22-2006, 07:00
Post: #5
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Thanksgiving Raton Pass. Survey
Take the post about the 391 gasser climbing Raton Pass at 12mph, print it out
and tape it to the dash just above the steering wheel. It will make you feel much better during that 25 minutes. Since I live in Denver, most of my motorhome driving is outside of Colorado with only a small percentage of steep hills. I decided I like the Bird enough, and the other power options being not much better, that living with slow climbs was acceptable. I definitely would not want to use it to commute from Denver to Grand Junction daily. Kerry 82FC 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Doug Engel > > Bruce, I had figured that unless I went big (read:300HP+) I would not get enough bang for my buck. One of our issues with the new bird is while living in Gunnison has its benefits, you have to drive over a pass any direction you head out of here. For instance, to head east, Monarch Pass is the most direct route, 11K'+, the climb up is about 7 miles, at 20 MPH, that's about 20-25 minutes, not a great delay in the grand scheme of things, but fairly arduous, and I hate holding up traffic. I know that I could (if I were able) spend another $250K and scoot right up in some other, high HP bus, but then I wouldn't have a vintage Bird...oh the injustice of it all. It seems that the 3208T is the easiest choice for a repower, but alot of work and several $$$ for another 15ish MPH. I see some folks doing a Cummins conversion, but I can't imagine it would be alot better...if any, just more work. Seems like a medium duty Duramax with the Allison might be a good choice, but now we start > re-inventing the wheel, we bought the bus for recreation, not another project. Any thoughts?? Doug > |
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11-22-2006, 07:20
Post: #6
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Thanksgiving Raton Pass. Survey
Yes, but think how comfy you would be in traffic snarls. Doug
davidkerryedwards the 391 gasser climbing Raton Pass at 12mph, print it out and tape it to the dash just above the steering wheel. It will make you feel much better during that 25 minutes. Since I live in Denver, most of my motorhome driving is outside of Colorado with only a small percentage of steep hills. I decided I like the Bird enough, and the other power options being not much better, that living with slow climbs was acceptable. I definitely would not want to use it to commute from Denver to Grand Junction daily. Kerry 82FC 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Doug Engel > > Bruce, I had figured that unless I went big (read:300HP+) I would not get enough bang for my buck. One of our issues with the new bird is while living in Gunnison has its benefits, you have to drive over a pass any direction you head out of here. For instance, to head east, Monarch Pass is the most direct route, 11K'+, the climb up is about 7 miles, at 20 MPH, that's about 20-25 minutes, not a great delay in the grand scheme of things, but fairly arduous, and I hate holding up traffic. I know that I could (if I were able) spend another $250K and scoot right up in some other, high HP bus, but then I wouldn't have a vintage Bird...oh the injustice of it all. It seems that the 3208T is the easiest choice for a repower, but alot of work and several $$$ for another 15ish MPH. I see some folks doing a Cummins conversion, but I can't imagine it would be alot better...if any, just more work. Seems like a medium duty Duramax with the Allison might be a good choice, but now we start > re-inventing the wheel, we bought the bus for recreation, not another project. Any thoughts?? Doug > Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO. 1981 FC35SB "Pokey" --------------------------------- Sponsored Link Degrees online in as fast as 1 Yr - MBA, Bachelor's, Master's, Associate - Click now to apply [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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11-22-2006, 08:03
Post: #7
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Thanksgiving Raton Pass. Survey
Complications come with computerized drive trains. Requires all the control
modules and wiring harnesses. These items are chassis specific and not friendly to other than OEM applications. Then there is the matter of cost, it is significant. MH ----- Original Message ----- From: Doug Engel To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 9:05 AM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Thanksgiving Raton Pass. Survey Bruce, I had figured that unless I went big (read:300HP+) I would not get enough bang for my buck. One of our issues with the new bird is while living in Gunnison has its benefits, you have to drive over a pass any direction you head out of here. For instance, to head east, Monarch Pass is the most direct route, 11K'+, the climb up is about 7 miles, at 20 MPH, that's about 20-25 minutes, not a great delay in the grand scheme of things, but fairly arduous, and I hate holding up traffic. I know that I could (if I were able) spend another $250K and scoot right up in some other, high HP bus, but then I wouldn't have a vintage Bird...oh the injustice of it all. It seems that the 3208T is the easiest choice for a repower, but alot of work and several $$$ for another 15ish MPH. I see some folks doing a Cummins conversion, but I can't imagine it would be alot better...if any, just more work. Seems like a medium duty Duramax with the Allison might be a good choice, but now re-inventing the wheel, we bought the bus for recreation, not another project. Any thoughts?? Doug birdshill123 as my "dyno test" Our 88 FC is able to maintain 32mph while towing a 4400 lb. Toyota Tacoma. The Bird was empty as we had just bought our baby and were driving it home. I have never driven an NA FC but there is a big difference in power from a 250 Turbo to the 300 Turbo. Bruce 1988 FC35 Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO. 1981 FC35SB "Pokey" --------------------------------- Sponsored Link Mortgage rates near 39yr lows. $510,000 Mortgage for $1,698/mo - Calculate new house payment [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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