Duramax swap in Workhorse W 20

[TerraTraveler]

Has any one swapped a Duramax (LLY or LBZ) into the workhorse motorhome chassis ?

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerraTraveler Has any one swapped a Duramax (LLY or LBZ) into the workhorse motorhome chassis ?

I have not heard on anyone doing that. Workhorse uses the L81 engine in the RV front engine diesel chassis.

[Ray,IN]

Well, I've seen a Duramax in a street-driven Chevy Chevelle. It that is workable your idea should be too.

[ron55]

the durmax seems powerful enough I had them pass me pulling a 5th wheel going up hill

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron55 the Duramax seems powerful enough I had them pass me pulling a 5th wheel going up hill

Given that observation; in time there should be increasing demand for a front engine diesel powered RV that doesn't need to use DEF.

We will see how consumer demand takes shape over the next year or so absent a gasoline engine. We are indeed seeing more OEMs releasing products powered by the MF7.

WCC does use the DMax in its low-floor airport shuttle the LF-71 and that's backed up by an Allison 1000 series tranny. This vehicle is a FWD BTW. I had thought that there would be an RV application for this vehicle since it would lend itself to RV'ers that are mobility challenged but I believe it would be impractical due to GVW, cost and lack of space for RV equipment in the floor.

[motohomer]

The 2011 Duramax requires DEF.

http://www.chevrolet.com/assets/pdf/...D_DEF_6-23.pdf

The power numbers rival Cummins ISB (6.7)

[RocketDork]

Exhaust Fluid...sheesh, I thought this was a joke at first...

What's next? Muffler bearings? Winter/Summer air? Stripped paint?

Truth is stranger than fiction sometimes.

I like the idea of a Diesels torque under the hood of my "Upgrade", but I'm not sure I could stand the clatter, when will we figure out how to make a silent diesel? They have them in the rest of the world...why not here?

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketDork I like the idea of a Diesels torque under the hood of my "Upgrade", but I'm not sure I could stand the clatter, when will we figure out how to make a silent diesel? They have them in the rest of the world...why not here?

Have you driven a MaxxForce 7 lately!! Actually very quiet under a good doghouse. Advanced EGR does not require DEF.

[RocketDork]

I took a ride in a Volvo S70 in France in 2002, I couldn't even tell it was a diesel, until we stopped for fuel. I was stunned to find out it was a diesel engine under the hood.

Seriously, no odor, no knock, insane power and indistinguishable from a gas engine from an external perspective. The funny thing is that it was the -norm- for a diesel to be silent over there.

I have yet to encounter any diesel in the US that compared...

I haven't been around a MaxForce diesel...but if I were to swap engines in my "upgrade" it would have to be a Duramax to maintain emission compliance. It wasn't an option in the motor home, but in the chassis...

[TerraTraveler]

Thanks for all of your responses. I am not a fan of the Ford / Navistar 6.0 from a durability standpoint and while the 6.4 is somewhat more stable, The fuel ecomony numbers in the pickups do not give me any reason to want to drop one in the workhorse chassis.

There are several stand alone PCM / TCM setups available, I was just wanting to utilize the existing OEM instrument cluster and wiring harness if possible.

I will continue to investigate the possibility of the swap possibly using the Kodiak chassis harness...

Can't justify the swap from a fuel economy standpoint, but I would love to have the added 250 ft lbs of torque at around 2500 RPM

[max49]

I thought about asking about paying the difference between replacing the 8.1 or changing it to a Duramax. Now seems like the time to do it but between fighting the ESP and the repair center, they've already made it too complicated , just to swap, gas for gas. Not to mention, I'd need a diesel generator or a separate fuel tank.

[JonBrazel]

Was curious if you ever decided to do this?

[TerraTraveler]

Hi John,

Still racking up the miles on the 8.1 at this time. I keep thinking I will spend a little more time with the prep and planning during the slower winter season. Winters just have not dropped off as much as they were two or three years ago. The biggest challenge with the swap will be physically installing the drivetrain package in the chassis. Pull the windshield glass, or drop it straight down and out the front of the chassis ? Done tons of light truck, just have not had to pull the engine on a coach in a long time. A stand alone wiring harness is now available to swap the d max and allison into just about anything at this time. I have a friend putting together a 66 Chev Suburban 4x with a Duramax Allison NV 263 combo.