Power Boost chip for 300 HP Cummins

[good_dogs]

We have a 2001 Newmar K-Star w/ the 300 Cummins. A friend suggested a chip to boost towing power. Anyone tried that as a power boost? Thoughts?

Thanks

[mpierce]

good dogs wrote:
Good point. Already have an overheating problem and that's something else we'll be looking at. I cleaned the radiator fins last year and that helped.

You may or may not be able to reprogram the engine for more power. Depends on exactly how your engine is set up, and what the tranny rating is behind it.

HOWEVER, you say right here you ALREADY are marginal on cooling capacity, and, in fact, have already had heating problems with the hp you now have.

MORE HP means MORE heat generated.

If you increase the HP, you WILL generate more heat. What is your plan of action to get rid of that heat? Bigger radiator? Aux. fans?

If you increase the HP, without controlling cooling, you will get 1/2 way up Donner faster, but lose it all sitting on the side of the road, trying to get the temps down!

[et2]

good dogs wrote:
Thanks all for the suggestions.
I called the nearest Cummins shop and got a curt "We don't do that."
Called my local Freightliner service shop where we get the annual checkup and the tech offered that "if the computer would allow it" he could reprogram for a $65 fee.
That's a pretty cheap start so we'll try that.

So he said "if" and Cummins said no. So did Cummins mean it can't be done or they won't do it? Because the cummins by us will install add ons too engines to get more hspwr, leaving me to believe it can't or "shouldn't " be done to keep the engine in a safe running environment.

I'd be leery of the other guy saying "if" it could he'd do it for $65. To me it sounds like that'll be the charge even if it can't ( which probably can't as the Cummis guy told you). Give them you VIN # - they should be able to tell you before you pay out the money.

[good_dogs]

Good point. Already have an overheating problem and that's something else we'll be looking at. I cleaned the radiator fins last year and that helped.

[sailor_lou]

In addition to xmission capacity remember that higher hp will generate more heat, so before you bump up the hp too much be sure your cooling system can dissipate the load.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

[good_dogs]

Thanks all for the suggestions.
I called the nearest Cummins shop and got a curt "We don't do that."
Called my local Freightliner service shop where we get the annual checkup and the tech offered that "if the computer would allow it" he could reprogram for a $65 fee.
That's a pretty cheap start so we'll try that.

[Dog_Trainer]

Sully2 wrote:

Passin Thru wrote:
John Wayne, I'd like to see proof of that statement because they use the same Allison in heavy trucks pulling 80,000 lb.

No they dont either!

So right. The chassis builder would not have put a tranny capable of pulling 80,000 lbs in this MH. as stated Allison makes many different trannys I will bet the one in this MH is sized for this rig. You may be able to increase the torque and HP but make sure you know the capability of your set up. Many years ago I made the decision to take my 230HP Cumin's up to 300 hp. In doing so we made sure the MD3060 could take the increase.Remember on any Chip increase you must also concern yourself with monitoring your EGT's

[Sully2]

John Wayne wrote:
Well Just passin thru I just checked the Allison web site and they have 9 transmissions listed for Motor Homes with torque ratings listed from 575 to 1950. So depending on the transmission you have you are limited by torque. So I stand buy my statement even though I not a Master Mechanic.

High 5....Time 2

[Sully2]

Passin Thru wrote:
John Wayne, I'd like to see proof of that statement because they use the same Allison in heavy trucks pulling 80,000 lb.

No they dont either!

[John_Wayne]

Well Just passin thru I just checked the Allison web site and they have 9 transmissions listed for Motor Homes with torque ratings listed from 575 to 1950. So depending on the transmission you have you are limited by torque. So I stand buy my statement even though I not a Master Mechanic.

[hipower]

The ISC 350 Cummins in my 2003 DS would not accept a simple reprogramming when we had the computer hooked to it. It seems that some will and some won't. At about 35,000 lbs loaded and towing the performance is adequate, but as with many others I would gladly accept more power, I just didn't want to spend a lot of money to get it.

If adding performance to a diesel engine is important to you as an owner the mention of Pittsburgh Power is an excellent suggestion for a company that is extremely good at doing the upgrades needed, from mechanical changes to computer upgrades. They are not inexpensive, but they are very good.

[JimM68]

If your your 2001 is an electronic ISC (8.3 liter?) with an Allison MD3000 trans, which is likely I think, then cummins themselves can and will (for a fee) boost it for you. A factory cummins tune uses torque management to limit max torque to 1050 ft-lbs, and to reduce torque briefly during the shifts to keep your trans happy.

Call your local cummins dealer service center for info.
I haven't actually gotten it done (mine was still under warrantee when I discussed it at nPower in Hodgekins, IL) and the service guy said it would void the warrantee and I should wait. He said he could get 400 HP out of my 2008.

[moisheh]

passin thru: You have omitted the fact that not all Allison's are the same. A MH could have a 2000, 3000 or 4000. All have different ratings for Max. torque and the GVW of the coach, The unit in an 80,000 lb. truck is very different. Your years as a mechanic should have made this obvious????

Moisheh

[Passin_Thru]

John Wayne, I'd like to see proof of that statement because they use the same Allison in heavy trucks pulling 80,000 lb. With a MH you are only pulling around 50K so it equates to the same thing. IF i can floor a 500 HP Detroit with an Allison I can floor a MH with a 500 HP engine or did I not interpolate correctly? OH, wait, I only have 30 years as a Master Mechanic so I probably don't know what I'm talking about.If you turn a Cummins 330 HP to 400 HP you go up from 900 for 1200 ft lb torque and that is not enough to tear one up for a million miles. Call Pittsburgh Power and ask them.

[John_Wayne]

The engine can take the boost BUT the trans can't take the extra torque. So you will go better till the trans gives up.