Chip a 275 HP Cummins?

[zskitj]

Can I put a "superchip" type of thing on my cummins 275 to increase it's power? I hear some good things about that sort of thing on pickups. I had one on a Ford 5.4 gas job and wasted my money. Just came through Branson and the hills killed me. Thanks

[J Walker]

You should talk to a Cummins dealer and an Allison dealer to determine if a chip is ok. They may be conservative but at least they are knowledgeable about their products. I would never go by what and aftermarket salesman claimed. If you have a 53 block ISB then under no circumstances up the HP.

[greystroke]

Agree with Jim. Check to see if it is a 53. I have one and read a lot on the subject. I have plenty of power and would not want chance it Even though only a small percentage of these blocks have failed I would not chip because it would produce higher exhaust temps on the weak side of the engine.

Make sure both fuel filters are kept replaced along with the air filter because dirty filter degrade performance. Always use lower gears climbing hills to keep engine temps down.

Tom

[stuhly]

I installed a Diablo Sports POWERPUCK in a 2000 Discovery 275, raising it to 325. It really woke that Cummins up. Made a big difference pulling hills and passing. It did not up the temperature at all and the fuel milage stayed the same if not a hair better. Simple to install - plug and play. If yours is not a 53 block I would highly recomend this chip.

[bachler]

To chip or not to chip;; That subject has been with us for some time..I've looked into it with some depth;; The interesting thing take the cat it was 275 then 300 then 330 then 370 HP L7; the interesting thing as per the specs sheet the 300 and 330 hp. Have exactelly the same torque. And that is what gets you up over the pass. HP is brake; Torque is the turning that moves you;; IT it not oncommon for a gas engine to have 540 hp and only 320 FTlbs torque were a diesel 300 hp can produce near 900 ft lbs torque; Also we have bent engine rods by over busting the blower say 40 lbs a gas engine may be 9 to 1 compression.Ratio a diesel will be some were near 16 to 1 ratio. Those bearings and rods can be over stressed. If the manufacturer Sells the engine it will be the best in mileage;;power;; longevety; I say don't fix it if it ain't broke' Get a rig with a bigger engine;; Life is good. With more power;;

[greystroke]

Bachler

I kind of like your exp of things. I have been monitoring my HP on my VMSpc but based on what you wrote I am going to start monitoring torque also.

I am very conservative in my driving so my HP usually fluctuates between 100 to 200. When I pass or go up small grades it will get up to 220. So when I get in the mountains I will have some power left for it. But now I will start measuring the torque also.

[Triker56]

Banks PowerPack up to 33 PSI on the turbo if needed.
Works on my 53 block with no problems.

[bachler]

I installed a chip in Seattle , Before we left for Yellowstone On A snowmobile Trip;; I was told a lot of stories On the Increase Of power; Well at a Rest stop near Butte Montana. I took the chip back out; There was very little differance; In some testing Data I have read ; And back in the late 1948 and early 1950 When the so called blower was first being used and tested. The Chrysler; Flathead That had the blower on it I believe was called the Continental, And the only basic differance was the inserts/rod bearings were About 3/16" wider then the standerd car/truck engine.One has to look at the Long stroke of the Diesel That has a compression ratio Of 16x1/ 20 x1. Now You put 40 lbs of pressure on that forcing More air into the Cylinder. Taking the ratio up even more.Hense Increasing the load on the rod bearings and stress throughout the complete engine; The manufacture Spends Millions of dollers developing an engine. If they though it would better with more HP: I feel They would do it;; Working With engines For over 60 years. Breaking, Rods/pistons/cranks/ Who am I to Over rule what the Manufacture has done;;; Life is good; This is not intended to Insult anyone; Just the facts.

[greystroke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuhly I installed a Diablo Sports POWERPUCK in a 2000 Discovery 275, raising it to 325. It really woke that Cummins up. Made a big difference pulling hills and passing. It did not up the temperature at all and the fuel milage stayed the same if not a hair better. Simple to install - plug and play. If yours is not a 53 block I would highly recomend this chip.

The temperature increase I talked about was not coolant temp. It was exhaust temp so unless you have a pyrometer you won't know what it is. On my old Ford diesel pulling a 5th wheel I thought i would be safe by keeping my exhaust temp below 1200 F. I had a Superchips program installed. But it is a chance you take. I would not want to heat my exhaust on a 53 block to higher than design temps especially on the weak side of the engine. So chipping may come at big cost for this engine. As I understand this block has a weak point that is only 1/4 inch thick at one point. I intend to baby my 53. The performance is good enough for me while providing 10.5mpg towing a 4000 lb vehicle.

[bachler]

When I was involved in Racing We would let the pyro/exh. side get a high as 1700 Deg, When The engine was pulling. That was boarder line. How ever the instant you take your foot off the accelater, For about 4/6 seconds the lean condition will Damage the pistons and or valves. Another thing I must point out. Race engines Only run maybe 50 hours then get taken apart and reassembled; So we can't compare the two. At 450 Deg. Aluminum starts doing funny things, At about 1800,Deg. Cast iron/Steel Starts moving around.. Also Once metal is heated The malucules tighten up == srinkage; I say use care When you Change any part on a engine Be it Gas or diesel; Life is so good; also A thing to remember ;; 1 lb Pressure on the rad cap. incresses the boiling point 3 degrees;;;; 10 lb cap. puts the egnine boiling temp up near242 Degrees That is getting up there;; 212 is at sea level, boiling; Enjoy;;

[J Walker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bachler I say use care When you Change any part on a engine Be it Gas or diesel; Life is so good;

Bachler, Great post. It is takes a lot to out engineer the factory. It can be done but we don't have the resources to do it. An engine dealer or transmission dealer could recommend some mods that would be low risk and probably safe. One mishap after a mod and we would be longing for the good old days when we had everything stock.

[Slow ride]

If I have an isb 260 hp in my NRV Carribean and it has the 53 block can I increase to the hp/torque numbers of the 275/300 hp without potential damage due to these having same block and coming from the facory in these configurations. Does anyone know the torque numbers of the 260, 275, and 300 motors. I also have the Allison 1000 5 spd trans. With that in mind is there any upgrade for this transmission? Can it be removed and changed to a heavier duty tranny with maybe 6 spds or something? Thanks for any help.
Eric

[greystroke]

I have an old company brochure that shows:

ISB275 Peak Power 275@2500 RPM and Peak Torque 660@1600 RPM
ISB250 Peak Power 263@2300 RPM and Peak Torque 660@1600 RPM

Very little difference

Don't know about the tranny but it sounds expensive especially if the wiring is different

[Triker56]

Quote:

Does anyone know the torque numbers of the 260, 275, and 300 motors. I also have the Allison 1000 5 spd trans.

ISB's with the Allison 1000 are limited to 600 ft lb torque.
With the 3060 the ISB is 660 ft lb 275/300 HP

Even Banks won't sell their PowerPack for a 1000/2100/2350/2500/2550 transmissions with a ISB. Only the Allison MD3060 or MD3066 auto.