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opnroad · 02-26-2015, 04:08 PM

I have a 1991 28 ft Ford C class with a 460 and a 4.10 rear gear. I'm wanting to upgrade to an A class of about 32 ft with a slide out and a larger bathroom with a real shower instead of a phone booth. I still see 460 engines in a rig this size. I feel I'm under powered now on steep grades. Can these engines still pull something of this size along with a car trailer of 5000 lbs in tow? If so, what's different about the powertrain? Should I look for a V10 instead? It doesn't appear that that is much better due to its higher torque rpm needed. Mine hits its max torque at 67 mph but still struggles on hills. Give me some input. Thanks.

LVRVLUVR · 02-26-2015, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opnroad

I have a 1991 28 ft Ford C class with a 460 and a 4.10 rear gear. I'm wanting to upgrade to an A class of about 32 ft with a slide out and a larger bathroom with a real shower instead of a phone booth. I still see 460 engines in a rig this size. I feel I'm under powered now on steep grades. Can these engines still pull something of this size along with a car trailer of 5000 lbs in tow? If so, what's different about the powertrain? Should I look for a V10 instead? It doesn't appear that that is much better due to its higher torque rpm needed. Mine hits its max torque at 67 mph but still struggles on hills. Give me some input. Thanks.

I'd stay away from the 460 because of the manifolds...

also if you go to a 2006... you will get 362 hp and 5 speed

jergeod · 02-26-2015, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVRVLUVR

I'd stay away from the 460 because of the manifolds...

also if you go to a 2006... you will get 362 hp and 5 speed

That might not be true, they changed over sometime in 06 but not all got the 362hp and trans mine doesn't and it is and 06.

opnroad · 02-27-2015, 07:54 AM

Do you know the rear axle ratio of your motorhome. Looks like you pull behind yours. How well does it do the job?

Gary RVRoamer · 02-27-2015, 08:38 AM

With a gas engine in a Class A, the axle ratio is typically above 5, e.g. 5.33. The 460 needs more forward gears to do a good job in an A but they all come with the 4-speed E4OD tranny. That's ok as long as it is 3rd or OD, but once it is forced down to 2nd the top speed drops to around 30-35 with that high ratio axle. Makes for very slow hill climbing where the "hill" is anything above 2-3% grade.

The V10 can rev higher, which helps, but the big improvement is that most of them get either the 4R100 4 speed or the later 5-speed. I would strongly recommend getting the later year with the 5-speed.

If you want to stay with the older 460, I suggest installing the Gear Vendors Under/Over Drive to get more gears. Pricey, but it solves the problem.

opnroad · 02-27-2015, 09:22 AM

A 4R100 and E4OD have the same internal gear ratios. Just just come down to engine difference at that point (V10 vs 460)? I see the gear vendor site. Any personal experience with that upgrade?

LVRVLUVR · 02-27-2015, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opnroad

A 4R100 and E4OD have the same internal gear ratios. Just just come down to engine difference at that point (V10 vs 460)? I see the gear vendor site. Any personal experience with that upgrade?

I did the gear vendor on a 2012 v10..

LVRVLUVR · 02-27-2015, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jergeod

That might not be true, they changed over sometime in 06 but not all got the 362hp and trans mine doesn't and it is and 06.

you probley have an o5 chassis,,, so to be safe get an 07...not gonna cost much if any more and way way better

LVRVLUVR · 02-27-2015, 01:38 PM

one other thing to answer the op org. question... the 16k and 18k come with 430 gears

jergeod · 02-28-2015, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opnroad

Do you know the rear axle ratio of your motorhome. Looks like you pull behind yours. How well does it do the job?

The gears in mine are 538 and it has no problem toting my 14 jeep cherokee around on the dolly. The motorhome is and 06 but the chassis is an 04 22000lb, When motoring down the highway the v10 does a great job, being 68 and retired I am in no rush to get anywhere but when you want to the thing will run down the highway with anybody else, I have had no problem climbing hills as others have stated, seems to hold 55 going up with no problem in towhaul mode and going down in this mode holds back pretty well. If I were buying there would be no question V10.