How to upgrade ISM 450 to 500

[tm2go]

Have heard salesmen say it can be done.When I spoke to Cummins about differences between engines it involved turbo sizes etc. Has anyone had something like this done and if so any real difference that can be measured. Currently have 2007 MADP 4528

[tm2go]

Have heard salesmen say it can be done.When I spoke to Cummins about differences between engines it involved turbo sizes etc. Has anyone had something like this done and if so any real difference that can be measured. Currently have 2007 MADP 4528

[Jetsmania]

Hi! There is at least one person who has upgraded. Hopefully he chimes in. We looked into doing it when we had our coach. We were told different prices from various Cummins Service Centers that we asked. We were told it was just a software change. The prices varied with claims of the money going toward upgrading the warranty because of the increase in HP. We did not do it because: At the Hershey show, both Spartan & Cummins reps told us that the Foot Pounds of Torque were the same on both the 450 & 500. They said we would not notice any difference with the added HP. They both said it was all about Torque not HP. If you look at the Spartan Spec sheets for the 07 MADP & Essex you will notice that all the engine specs, except HP are the same. They never dialed the Torque down to the 450 HP level. They kept it at the 500 HP level. Let us know if you do upgrade and what was involved. Paul

[tm2go]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by tm2go:
Have heard salesmen say it can be done.When I spoke to Cummins about differences between engines it involved turbo sizes etc. Has anyone had something like this done and if so any real difference that can be measured. Currently have 2007 MADP 4528 </div></BLOCKQUOTE> If I can find more info on it the change will happen. My two Golden Retrievers and kitty cat put on a little weight over the winter so may need more power.

[CSX4350]

Yes, I had it done at a Cummins service center. They also said it was only a software upgrade. It cost me $465, but was well worth it. They had to order the upgrade from Cummins, so that took a couple of days, but the actual upgrade took about 30 minutes.

[Ecker]

I can't find the actual RV curves for ISM right this moment but these will do. You will note that upgrading from 450 to 500 HP does not change torque peak curves at all. The HP does change so one could theoretically run faster at a specific RPM but I doubt anyone has a problem running fast enough i.e. legal speed plus some fudging) with the 450.

[Jetsmania]

Hi John! Could you feel the difference after the upgrade?? Leo, I think we have the setting with the 1550 lbs of torque? I may be wrong but I will look for my specs. There was a few different configs for those HP's. Neat chart! Paul

[Ecker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jetsmania:
Hi John! Could you feel the difference after the upgrade?? Leo, I think we have the setting with the 1550 lbs of torque? I may be wrong but I will look for my specs. There was a few different configs for those HP's. Neat chart! Paul </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The 2007 is 1550 but their was no ISM 450 so I assumed they discussion is on pre-2007 engines

[Jetsmania]

Hi! In the next few days I will dig out the sheets. It was given out by Spartan at the shows. Each sheet has Spartan Specs for the model you are buying. I grabbed one for "07 Essex and MADP. I would bet that both of them were 1550 lbs. Paul

[Lug_Nut]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The 2007 is 1550 but their was no ISM 450 so I assumed they discussion is on pre-2007 engines </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Leo, Actually the MADP '07 is an ISM 450. The torque is identical to that of the 500.

Peter