Chevy 350 V8 Big Enough engine?
Hi folks.. my 1st post here. My wife and I and 5 kids are thinking of buying a 22-25ft class C motorhome. We are buying used (under $30k). The main purpose of this unit will be to travel in comf...
Forum Discussion
Whether it is big enough depends on your performance expectations and engine tune.
1995-2008 Chevrolet used the L31 option 5.7 V8 in the Express (branded Vortec 5700), tuned to 255 HP at 4600 RPM, 330 lb-ft at 2800 RPM. It should be geared for an RV to be cruising in the 2600-3200 RPM range, shifting down a gear when more power is needed. This should be adequate for cruising at the speed limit in most states, but it might not find a sweet spot for maintaining 80 MPH into headwinds on the high speed Interstates on the Great Plains.
The usual engine upgrade option for the Express 3500 in 2001-2002 was the L18 Vortec 8100 (502 CID), which replaced the 454 in 2001. In the Express van this was usually tuned to about 340 HP, 455 lb-ft, reaching these ratings at somewhat lower RPM. This won't ever be breathing hard pulling a small to medium size C, but you are not likely to find it. More usually applications were medium-duty trucks in the 16,000 to 24,000 pound gross weight range, although the 454/502 was somewhat popular for heavy towing with pickups and Suburbans, until the 6.6 Duramax diesel replaced the somewhat pedestrian 6.5 Detroit in Chevy and GMC pickups.
The 6.5 Detroit Diesel was offered in the Express until 2002, tuned to about 155-160 HP, but you are unlikely to find that one in a Class C RV. The diesel option was most popular in chassis for emergency vehicles, where the engine was kept running above idle as a power source for emergency equipment. After 2003 the Express got the Duramax as its diesel option, and a few more of these found their way into RVs, as the Duramax could match or beat street performance of the gas engines.
1995-2008 Chevrolet used the L31 option 5.7 V8 in the Express (branded Vortec 5700), tuned to 255 HP at 4600 RPM, 330 lb-ft at 2800 RPM. It should be geared for an RV to be cruising in the 2600-3200 RPM range, shifting down a gear when more power is needed. This should be adequate for cruising at the speed limit in most states, but it might not find a sweet spot for maintaining 80 MPH into headwinds on the high speed Interstates on the Great Plains.
The usual engine upgrade option for the Express 3500 in 2001-2002 was the L18 Vortec 8100 (502 CID), which replaced the 454 in 2001. In the Express van this was usually tuned to about 340 HP, 455 lb-ft, reaching these ratings at somewhat lower RPM. This won't ever be breathing hard pulling a small to medium size C, but you are not likely to find it. More usually applications were medium-duty trucks in the 16,000 to 24,000 pound gross weight range, although the 454/502 was somewhat popular for heavy towing with pickups and Suburbans, until the 6.6 Duramax diesel replaced the somewhat pedestrian 6.5 Detroit in Chevy and GMC pickups.
The 6.5 Detroit Diesel was offered in the Express until 2002, tuned to about 155-160 HP, but you are unlikely to find that one in a Class C RV. The diesel option was most popular in chassis for emergency vehicles, where the engine was kept running above idle as a power source for emergency equipment. After 2003 the Express got the Duramax as its diesel option, and a few more of these found their way into RVs, as the Duramax could match or beat street performance of the gas engines.
