UltraPower & CAI Question

[Wayneey]

After going on four years behind the wheel, one of the things I find annoying is the down shifting from 6th to 3rd caused by driving on stretches of undulating highways and roads, mainly in the West. The annoying part is the ECM wanting to return to the CC setting in 3rd gear (with no intermediate up shift), which is just noisy and fuel consuming.

For reference, I always have the cruise control on, set to 60-62 MPH.

After the first occurrence, I resort to manipulating the cruise control to help with up shifts. I also reduce the cruise control setting to 55 MPH, sometimes lower, which helps.

I know a lot depends on the actual terrain being driven but will either the UltraPower and/or CAI upgrades help smooth this cycle and reduce the down shifting?

Wayne

[oemtech]

With the increased HP/TRQ from UltraPower 98%+ say that's the first thing my clients notice is less down shifting.

[Max Hubrich]

Wayneey-

The UP, CAI, Taylor wires and new, colder plugs make a neat package. the TCM shift points change is also real neat.

I've giving up trying to use the cruise control with any comfortable, relaxed feeling about it. It's too much work trying to judge every hill and overpass lying in your 12 o'clock position. I'm an 'ole pilot used to autopilots delivering smooth results, and of couse, we don't have to deal with the overpasses, etc which are a part of the RV'n experience. I just drive it manually and let it lose speed going up hills- A much more comfortable experience.

You can read this recent thread, If you have plenty of free time on your hands, to see my frustrations with this issue.

[Mr JP]

Wayneey;
I am running 90% of my travel out west and have the w24 chassis also. I set my cruise at 64 mph at about 2600 rpm, I only have the 5 speed. It will hold at that while travel down I-40 & other highways. When it down shifts it only does one gear at a time. I also have the full banks set up and the ultra-power up grade. I am happy with the ultra-power upgrade. the increase in power is nice but not much increase in gas mileage still 6 to 7 mpg is best. Good Luck JP

[Finhawk]

I look ahead. When I see a slight grade, I shift out of overdrive and it usually doesn't shift down but of course, that depends on the increase in the grade.. Maintains the speed quite well.

[Wayneey]

After reading everyone's experiences here and in the thread referenced by Max H., it seems my coach's driving performance is a bit more pleasant than most. I would guess that's mainly due to the 6-speed Allison and the cruise control programming and not the loose nut behind the wheel ...

I would say the CC does a great job 90% of the time, set @ 60 MPH the motor's chugging along at ~1900-2000 RPM in 6th grear. There are even times when I almost marvel at how long the transmission will stay in either 6th or 5th gear while dealing with small undulations in the road. It's just when it decides 3rd gear is needed, I can't help but wonder if the UP & CAI upgrade would help keep the transmission in 4th gear, at least a little longer.

We're currently in Palm Desert, CA, and will be on the way to the Workhorse rally in Buellton, CA, this Sunday ... I will definitely try the techniques others have described on whatever ups & downs are between here and there (not many if I remember correctly) but I'm sure there will be some opportunity to improve my driving skills.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences ... I appreciate it!! Hope to see you in Buellton ...

Wayne

[bill dean1]

Hi:

I am attending the Workhorse rally, also, and found it very interesting that National Service Manager DID NOT recommend Ultradrive or transmission shifter for older units. That's a little different from reviews that you read on this blog.....

Go figure....

["007"]

Bill, if your coach is out of warranty you can do what you like.
Some of us just did it while we were in warranty its paid off with these new gas prices.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill dean1 Go figure....

It's not remarkable at all. Alan is not going to endorse any after market product, not just specifically one product or another.

I hope you are having fun at the rally. We're next!

[wa8yxm]

You do know that the manual says not to use Cruise Control under those conditions don't you? (And yes... I do it too, same as you)

[CoastieSCPO]

It looks like we're going to keep the present rig and after the planned and scheduled chassis upgrades, an Ultrapower is next.

Bob

[Gotta_P]

I did the UP but nothing else and have seen a significant improvement in the rigs ability to hold a gear on an incline. It will still shift from 6th to 5th, but I can't recall the last time I've seen 3rd since the upgrade! It was quite common before that. As others have pointed out, I have not seen any significant increase in gas mileage, which is odd given the engine seems to stay in the lower RPM range much more than before...