Workhorse/DuraMax Conversion

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron55 when they installed the new workhorse 8.1 in my w22 last sept. they rolled the axel out and it went in from below, 2 days.

Ron55, Very true however in the case of a P Series, the engine is installed from the top down.

Having a driver's side door, priceless!

[two2go]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron55 Has anybody installed the chevy duramax diesel in the gas workhorse chassis?

Guess the answer is no, despite the discussion about engine-transmission pairing?
I am just wondering what hassle I would run into with our emissions police, regardless the cost of the donor engine, installation mods and cost, and adapting the fuel and exhaust systems if I tried it? Ah, the custom hot rod gene lives on in a lot of us, eh?

[DriVer]

Since we are theorizing that a DMax transplant is possible ... why not consider transplanting a MaxxForce7 engine? After all we know that the MF7 will indeed work in the Workhorse chassis since it is a currently supported installation.

Seems to me that either way, this is not going to be an inexpensive upgrade.

If a DMax7 is introduced into a vehilce certified with a gas VIN#, how is this going to wash out with the MV Department since the VIN# will change? I expect that one would have to re-title the vehilce and perhaps meet current emissions. Using a DMax, I believe that a DEF tank would be required unless it's a pre-2010 engine.

[Ramblin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer Since we are theorizing that a DMax transplant is possible ... why not consider transplanting a MaxxForce7 engine? After all we know that this engine will indeed work in the Workhorse chassis since it is a currently supported installation.

Heck, why not install a GE turbine?

[JonBrazel]

Pretty sure the MF7 is taller than a DMax...that's why they couldn't offer it in the UFO, no flat floor. Couldn't use the DMax because they are Navistar's competitor.

We also remove p chassis motor home engines from underneath. A bit more work an a w series to pull front suspension but not bad.

Will keep you guys updated if we are able to go ahead with a DMax swap....

[max49]

You'd think the Duramax might bolt right up since the Kodiak was available with the 8.1 or the Duramax. Any one know what differences the transmission and rear end ratios are?
I don't know about what government hassles there would be for emissions but this seems like it should be able to be done. It would help if if you could find a good deal on a Duramax from a later model pick up, total loss from a junk yard or insurance company.
It could make a great MH for someone but don't expect to sell it for a profit unless you find a buyer who does'nt need financing.

[powerboatr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer Since we are theorizing that a DMax transplant is possible ... why not consider transplanting a MaxxForce7 engine? After all we know that the MF7 will indeed work in the Workhorse chassis since it is a currently supported installation. Seems to me that either way, this is not going to be an inexpensive upgrade. If a DMax7 is introduced into a vehilce certified with a gas VIN#, how is this going to wash out with the MV Department since the VIN# will change? I expect that one would have to re-title the vehilce and perhaps meet current emissions. Using a DMax, I believe that a DEF tank would be required unless it's a pre-2010 engine.

your not changing the vin
only the engine, why would nm even want to be informed?
do they emission test your gas rig? if so i could see an issue maybe

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonBrazel Pretty sure the MF7 is taller than a DMax...that's why they couldn't offer it in the UFO, no flat floor. Couldn't use the DMax because they are Navistar's competitor .....

Jon, You might see this at some point but the new MF7 is supposed to be less tall than its predecessor plus it'll have an exhaust brake.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerboatr your not changing the vin only the engine, why would nm even want to be informed? do they emission test your gas rig? if so i could see an issue maybe

powerboatr, A Workhorse with a gas motor would have a Digit 8 as a "G" whereas if the vehicle were equipped with a DMax it could be changed to a "2." Workhorse did build vehicles using the 6.6L LLY DSL engine in a chassis called the LF70. The LF70 was a low floor airport shuttle type vehicle. I took a long (enough) ride in the LF70 from Union City to Elkhart (RT) and it wasn't impressive. I'm sure that a newer model engine would be a lot better.

Taking a ride in a 2012 DMax powered Model 3500 CC Doolie Chevy this week it was "BOTH" quiet and the engine had plenty of power. Honestly I would be hard pressed to tell the difference from the back seat between the sound coming from a Vortec or the sound coming from the DMax.

[two2go]

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerboatr Do they emission test your gas rig? if so i could see an issue maybe

Here in the Colorado front range, all vehicles (up to a certain commercial class, I think) have to be emissions tested. Cars get a dyno test every two years starting the 5th model year old. I have to run my W22 in every two years, but they do a static tailpipe test. The exception is if you run through a random roadside monitor station twice in a few months before your license plate renewal. The test costs $25. Diesels are worse. When I had my Ram truck, it had to be dyno tested every year and the cost started at $45. I don't know if the diesel motorhomes are tested or how.
Doing any engine mods or conversions can bring a lot of problems or paper work. The Denver air is better for it overall, but I think the testing is overdone just to make money.

[max49]

Quote:

Originally Posted by two2go Here in the Colorado front range, all vehicles (up to a certain commercial class, I think) have to be emissions tested. Cars get a dyno test every two years starting the 5th model year old. I have to run my W22 in every two years, but they do a static tailpipe test. The exception is if you run through a random roadside monitor station twice in a few months before your license plate renewal. The test costs $25. Diesels are worse. When I had my Ram truck, it had to be dyno tested every year and the cost started at $45. I don't know if the diesel motorhomes are tested or how. Doing any engine mods or conversions can bring a lot of problems or paper work. The Denver air is better for it overall, but I think the testing is overdone just to make money.

Hi to my Parker neighbor,
The rules probably may have changed, especially since they have "State" emission test stations now; but I had a '73 Plymouth Roadrunner with a '68 engine and I told them (I don't know or remember if they took my word for it or if they had a way to verify it) but they passed me under 1968 standards.
It seems as though anyone could tell it's a diesel engine and if you can verify what engine and the year of it, it should be easy enough to get it emission tested. Diesels are tested at private facilities so they probably know what they are doing and more flexible than our state sponsored stations. However when dealing with government employees and their rules at the tag office, I'm sure they will be dazed when you try to explain this to them. It might be wise to check into this before going through the expense of putting a diesel engine in.
I can't see why you would need a new VIN; unless you were going to try to tell a potential buyer that it came new from the factory with a diesel engine.

I have an '04 Chassis and of course the original engine must have been an '04. Then in '2010 I got a brand new engine. I passed emissions but I never bothered to tell them it was a '10 engine. I wonder if the emission standards got more stringent between '04 and '10 ? You would think that they would have.