8.3l Cummins info - Diesel Forum

chopperdoc · 02-03-2007, 09:58 PM

Anyone out there have a link to a good information site for the 8.3l Cummins? I have a friend who bought a truck with one and he is trying to learn everything he can about it. Does it have glow plugs and how long should it be for the cycle before he tries to crank it, no light in the dash.

Thanks for the help.

navistar45 · 02-04-2007, 10:34 AM

the 8.3 is the big brother to the 5.9,both were developed in the same time period. the 8.3 is sleeved unlike the 5.9,and neither have glow plugs. a grid heater [in some cases]is what comes with them. there is a chance your friends truck has no heater. overall the 8.3 has a pretty good reputation,depending on year models.

dt466man22 · 02-14-2007, 09:05 PM

8.3 in our FL70 at work hauls. has 600k on it, one inframe at 500. not too bad for a medium duty truck. has a fuller 6spd.

thats the only experience i have with it, so its good to me.

bout time i see someone else from clarksville!

HideOut · 02-17-2007, 11:45 PM

I read a story in one of the diesel magazines a few months back about someone swapping an 8.3 into their medium duty hauler and another one about a 8.8 or some deal...but i thought it mighta been a typo...

Itd be sweet in a 450/550..

Birken Vogt · 02-18-2007, 12:27 AM

The ISC (electronic, updated) 8.3 was (is) pretty good, I think late 90s up to the EGR retrofit are the years to get. It pulls between 1400-2250 RPM or so and pulls the strongest (seat of the pants) between 1600 and 2000. So a pretty good RPM range. Good for about 315 HP in long term commercial service. They seem to get pretty good economy for what they are also.

The old mechanical engine was a little weaker, had some flaws like cracking the front cover I think where the air compressor and power steering pump are all hanging there, also kind of anemic at 250 HP IIRC.

I drive a 2002 pre-ban ISC at work every day and have driven and worked on several others as well. I even drove a 350 HP fire truck model with a 50k truck and only a 7 speed wide ratio Fuller and it seemed to pull those gears pretty good. My truck now has a 10 speed which is better though.

I think they are the best MD motor you will find outside of an International...

Birken

rmyers2051 · 02-18-2007, 01:58 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I even drove a 350 HP fire truck model with a 50k truck and only a 7 speed wide ratio Fuller and it seemed to pull those gears pretty good. My truck now has a 10 speed which is better though.

I think they are the best MD motor you will find outside of an International...

Birken

[/ QUOTE ]

How tough is it to find a bell housing to add a 13 speed to a 5.9, with a hydraulic clutch? Not having any luck what soever finding a 6 speed overdrive to replace the 6 speed direct. Rear gear are as tall now as are available, and with the ratio in there it falls pretty flat at gear change.