Cummins common rail into an Excursion - Page 3 - Diesel Forum

6X4Cowboy · 07-23-2009, 08:36 PM

I have just one question, why swap out my 6.0L Powerstroke for a Cummings. I know that the Ex in this forum is a V10, but I have heard lots of comments about putting a Cummings in to replace the stock diesel. I really would like to know the benefits.

BlueOx1 · 07-24-2009, 11:06 AM

Easier to work on and maintain ,can make big power realatively cheap and parts in alot of cases cheaper .Not to mention the cool factor of a unique truck.

boertje · 07-24-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6X4Cowboy

I have just one question, why swap out my 6.0L Powerstroke for a Cummings. I know that the Ex in this forum is a V10, but I have heard lots of comments about putting a Cummings in to replace the stock diesel. I really would like to know the benefits.

If you are not having problems, there is none. The benefits do not out weigh the costs. It simply won't pencil out. I am perfectly happy with my 7.3 at 19 mpg and I have had no issues whatsoever with my 7.3 either. My 99 dodge has the same mileage so there is no gain. I can do much engine work on my 7.3 before the engine swap would even come close to breaking even. That doesn't mean I would not like a 5.9 cummins in my X, but the bottom line, it does not pay. Bragging rights? Name your price.

6X4Cowboy · 07-24-2009, 09:34 PM

Yeah I am completely happy with the 6.0. And bragging rights tend to be like the price of fuel...to dang high, only difference fuel is a necessity

clamgulch · 07-25-2009, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewey

Clam, all I can say is that you've got bigger pearls than me.

Pearls for brains aren't very practical. How ya been Stewey?

Well I've spent a few days bonding with the Excursion. The tranny and transfer case are IN and the cross-member is MODIFIED AND INSTALLED. Never mind that I dropped a torque converter bolt down into the bell housing. One hole bored strategically at the bottom should enable me to remove it AND should help me get the magnet on a flex rod unstuck so I can pull it out of the starter hole.

Always something.

I've got help coming tomorrow to do the wiring and the fuel supply system. That will leave me with power steering to figure out and completing the serpentine system up front and reinstalling the interior- plus a million other things like the exhaust system, tuning, blah, blah blah.

Never again. I'm too old for this and I hurt in places I forgot I had.

clamgulch · 07-28-2009, 01:19 AM

Just say no to engine swaps. It's a masochistic, expensive hobby, not a necessity.
That said, the tranny is back in and my SAE#3 housing now has an "inspection window" cut into it. Wish I'd done that before installing it the first time. Fuel system is in work- I finally broke down and ordered a "twin" CP3 install kit so the engine will have plenty of fuel no matter how much power I want to flog out of it. Lastly, the serpentine belt nightmare will be over in a couple days when I finish converting the accessory mountings all over to Dodge instead of Freightliner. That will be $1500 by the time I buy another fan- one that turns in the opposite direction which of course had a different fan clutch hub. Good thing I'm made of money like everyone else on this site or this would be painfully expensive. Anyone have a twin turbo setup they want to give away?

clamgulch · 08-09-2009, 04:37 AM

In case anyone is still interested, I'm still working on it. Serpentine belt system is done except I need an extension for the fan because it bangs into the harmonic balancer. Tranny cooler arrived today and I picked up the 5/8 ID hose and fittings to plumb it. Just to give you an idea, the cooler, 20' of hose and fittings was about $500 plus shipping the cooler from California.

Steering system is done with a new BIG truck pump with a relief valve so I won't blow out the Hydroboost unit. Reservoir holds a GALLON of ATF. I'm using the original tranny cooler for that system.

Air compressor, tank, governor and fittings are all done. I'll have 15 cfm at my disposal for air tools, tires, air horns, whatever.

I think I'll have to skip the twin turbos for now due to time and money. Being a contractor, I can take time off, but I don't get paid for it and it's a good way to end up with no job.

I have to install the water injection, electrical system + and - cables, a B&M floor shifter, put the interior back in, replace the windshield, get a new exhaust system, air intake system, fabricate intercooler tubes, etc. It's going to be another busy week.

Fuel system is done and purged less the tank, which is out to replace the fuel sending unit. Some tranny wiring is plugged in but none of it is powered yet. Same with the engine. There's still lots to do before it's really done, but I should be able to fire it in a couple days. Seems like I said that two weeks ago....

Stewey · 08-09-2009, 05:41 AM

Dang Clam, may the force be with you. This is a sure sign of intestinal fortitude.

clamgulch · 08-10-2009, 02:52 AM

Intestinal fortitude? More like intestinal tape worms. There's just no end to them. But thanks just the same. I'm a bit discouraged by this project at the moment. It seems like it takes forever to get anything done and I'm frustrated by that. I've spent my entire vacation for two years working on this thing and that just bums me out.

therabbittree · 10-25-2009, 10:07 AM

Clam, you need to post some pictures up..!!!
Later
Deo

navistar45 · 10-25-2009, 10:56 AM

clam, i often wondered why you disliked the 7.3 so much, and wanted to do the cummins conversion. i have a 02' 7.3 ,and a 05' 5.9, to be honest the power difference is slim. if i were to sell one tomorrow,it would be the dodge. anyway going with the allison is a smart decision, put the 4spd auto behind the 5.9 that dodge used back in 05 , and imho performance is lacking. anyway, goodluck with your conversion, i did a much simpler 12valve swap into one of my gmc 1tons. like you i had other things going and had to do it outside,what a pain...