Community Forums

Tajfish · 11-28-2019, 10:25 PM

Greetings, I have a 2007 Fleetwood Bounder 38s with a cat 7 engine. It has the 300hp turbo and was wondering about the hp boost flash I believe it is called. I had a Discovery 38n with the same engine but 330hp.
This Bounder was having trouble when we bought it and found the “slobber tube” was bent shut. Had to replace the huey pump and compressor and they cleaned all the oil off the engine. Now it runs fine but I can fell the difference of hp. Just wondering if this can be changed to 350hp ? For our mountain trips.
Engine info;

Caterpillar Turbo
Model# C7 300HP at 2200rpm
NO. WAX66256

Appreciate any suggestions

Thanks,
Tom

Dennis4809 · 11-28-2019, 10:31 PM

Our Cat C7 is factory rated at 350hp but don’t know how they achieve the difference.

Tajfish · 11-28-2019, 10:58 PM

That is what I am looking into. We seem to have the same engine but mine has less hp. I have read about this being done on different mh, maybe pay for higher end coach and you get more hp. I would like to find out if this would just be a software upgrade or would it be affecting other systems like cooling and transmission.

gatorcq · 11-29-2019, 06:55 AM

Software Change for the C7 ACERT

canman001 · 11-29-2019, 02:22 PM

I suggest full research to make sure the transmission is capable as well.

Tajfish · 11-29-2019, 02:28 PM

I have both a Cat and a Freightliner service center within 30 minutes of the house so I will speak with them before proceeding. At least now I will know what to ask for.
Thank you

FIRE UP · 11-29-2019, 06:36 PM

Tajfish,
The CAT C-7, 300, 330 and 350HP engine, is ALL THE SAME ENGINE! CAT has software that upgrades the HP. But, it's THEIR SOFTWARE and, they're very, very proud of it. NO ONE, outside of a CAT service center can do this. Can it be done, upgrade from a 300 to a 350HP, yep, it sure can. But, due to it be proprietary software, they CHARGE an arm and leg for it.

Example. Our coach is an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP and Allison MH3000 trans. We've had this coach now for 8 years and have put over 50K on the clock since we purchased it. I have a few friends who have almost identical coaches only, they have the CAT 350HP versions. I have driven right along side, in front, and behind those coaches in various driving situations. And that includes some decent grades.

In almost every single case, where we've been competing for poll car position, going up grades, I have the lead at the bottom of the grades. If we're un obstructed in traffic, on a given length grade, they will almost every single time, be dead even with me, about 1/2 way up the grade. At the top, they will be very close to ONE MOTORHOME LENGTH in front of me, every time!!!!!!!!!!!

And one of those coaches is a 34'. So, with all that in mind, during a valve adjustment at a CAT service center in Sparks NV, (Cashman CAT), I asked the technician if he had the capability to "flash" my engine/ECM to upgrade it to a 350HP version. He replied, "yep, sure can". But, he, like I stated earlier, stated that the software is proprietary and, therefore, " do you want to pay $550 for 20 horse power?"

I thought about it for about 2.2 seconds. "Nope, I think I'm just fine with the 330HP version". He replied: "Good decision". So, this is just something for you to ponder. Oh, by the way, the torque in ftlbs. rating is the exact same, for all three engines, 860 ft.lbs. at 1400 RPMs.
Scott