Community Forums

sbryant1776 · 04-30-2016, 10:13 PM

I live in Colorado and have had an underpowered MH before. I am looking at Entegra and trying to decide between Cornerstone and Anthem. The major issue is the ISX 600 hp and heavier chassis vs the ISL 450 hp and lighter chassis. Does the extra power make driving the mountains that much more comfortable?

jwmaustin · 04-30-2016, 10:54 PM

When talking to some customers at the Entegra factory this past week they were pretty clear that an ISL is acceptable. The guy who said he'd driven one said that you could pass everybody going up the Rockies with an ISX but the ISL would hold at a steady acceptable speed. That was good enough for me not to spend 50 to 100K more.

Thats my two cents

JMonroe · 05-01-2016, 07:34 AM

1250 ft lbs of torque vs 1950.

Yes, the 450 will do the job, but if I lived in Colorado I'd definitely buy the ISX, assuming budget is not an issue.

CadillLinc · 05-01-2016, 08:03 AM

Also look at Torque! Not just HP. You get 33% more HP with he ISX but 50% more torque! That's a lot more torque.

loisjop · 05-01-2016, 08:21 AM

You get a lot more than just the isx when you buy the Cornerstone.
If you're having a debate with yourself then obviously the Cornerstone is within your price range. In that case there is no logical reason not to get the Cornerstone. However, if you're still undecided go drive both and I have little doubt which you'll chose.
I've had both and the isl is "acceptable", but the isx Cornerstone is so much more. Noel

slickest1 · 05-02-2016, 09:34 PM

I would check the history and reliability of the ISX. There are a few on here on this forum that have had some major failures with them. I know a trucking firm that de rated their 600's back to 550 because of problems with them.

loisjop · 05-02-2016, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickest1

I would check the history and reliability of the ISX. There are a few on here on this forum that have had some major failures with them. I know a trucking firm that de rated their 600's back to 550 because of problems with them.

Only ones I've heard of is the 650 with twin cams. Haven't seen any problems with the 600.

Mr_D · 05-02-2016, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickest1

I would check the history and reliability of the ISX. There are a few on here on this forum that have had some major failures with them. I know a trucking firm that de rated their 600's back to 550 because of problems with them.

The new, SOHC do not seem to have the heat related valve breakage problem that the older '07 EPA CM871 DOHC ones did. And, supposedly, that problem has been addressed with new heads, valves, turbo and ECM programming. I guess with ours only time will tell.
The engine really doesn't care if you're going uphill or not, I have not found anything yet that slowed it down much.

Mr_D · 05-02-2016, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loisjop

Only ones I've heard of is the 650 with twin cams. Haven't seen any problems with the 600.

There have been problems reported down to about the 450 hp DOHC ISX's but those are in Class 8 trucks so you don't usually see them reported on RV forums.

sbryant1776 · 05-03-2016, 08:23 AM

Thanks to all who have given me input on this, it has helped a great deal.

DDDonkey · 05-03-2016, 05:42 PM

Look at the displacement I think the ISL is 8.9L and the big ISX is 15.2L, I could be wrong but those are the numbers off the top of my head. I can say that I have torn both engines down to the blocks and reassembled them and if I had a choice I would get an ISX but my wallet and wants are two different things. Both are good engines.

sbryant1776 · 05-03-2016, 11:24 PM

Thanks for the info after an engine breakdown. Not sure I am going to be able to make the reach to the Cornerstone but sounds like it is worth trying to.

Mr_D · 05-03-2016, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDDonkey

Look at the displacement I think the ISL is 8.9L and the big ISX is 15.2L, I could be wrong but those are the numbers off the top of my head. I can say that I have torn both engines down to the blocks and reassembled them and if I had a choice I would get an ISX but my wallet and wants are two different things. Both are good engines.

Our ISX is 15.0L according to some info and 14.9L on others, I just tried to find the displacement of the new ISX's and haven't found it yet.

Sky_Boss · 05-04-2016, 07:37 AM

One thing not mentioned is the ratio of HP and Torque to expected total weight (MH & toad). How much does this play into the equation? I suppose the potential difference in total weight doesn't make between the two coaches isn't so significant to negate the advantage of the ISX but it might be worth double checking. It could also be instructive to compare the previous underpowered coach's HP & Torque to total weight ratios to your options to make a full evaluation of your options.