2001 V-10 E-450 Chassis. Power sucks!! - Diesel Forum

Dalbery · 03-07-2006, 09:50 PM

Hello,
I just bought a 29' Motorhome with the V-10 E-450 chassis. It has 14k on it and my 1992 29' with a 460 would smoke it in power and gas mileage. The motor seems to run smooth but anything above 50 I can't drive in OD. This vehicle does have California emissions on it. What can I do to improve power?
Thanks in advance. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

someday · 03-07-2006, 10:14 PM

i have an 05 e450 with 4.56 gears and it freakin flies...i dont know if that is because of the trans, gears, or if yours has engine problems

with the low miles it might need some tuning up... gas filter, etc

Dalbery · 03-07-2006, 10:36 PM

Does your '05 have the 3v heads and the torq-shift tranny?
Thanks,
Darrell

someday · 03-07-2006, 10:41 PM

2v but it has ts tranny...it even feels zippier than my 05 3v ts tranny with 4.10s...my pickup still has less than 3k and around 6k is when it magically 'opens up'

toalpi · 03-07-2006, 10:58 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Hello,
I just bought a 29' Motorhome with the V-10 E-450 chassis. The motor seems to run smooth but anything above 50 I can't drive in OD.

[/ QUOTE ] You mean below 50? What ratio does it have?

Dalbery · 03-08-2006, 10:25 AM

The owners manual claims a ratio of 4.63. I've never heard of that ratio before though. Also I did mean above 50. Around town the motorhome has decent power. Once it gets on to freeway driving the slightest incline makes it kick out of OD.
Darrell

tsaelens · 03-08-2006, 03:31 PM

What RPM is it running at 50? The V10 will make some power, but it's not really a low RPM torque monster. Plus you're pushing a lot of air, how does it run at 65-70? Will it maintain overdrive there?

Trinity

MichaelG · 03-08-2006, 11:40 PM

I have a 2001 32' class C and it has no problems cruising at 75.

Check your chassis year, you might have a '99 chassis with the less power engine. Still that shouldn't matter that much at highway cruise speed, have you checked the air cleaner?

SLE · 03-09-2006, 08:57 AM

chances are you are not drivng fast enough, beleive it or not. The key is your rpms at 50mph-60mph? I have found in my pickup (3.73 LSD that it tows my boat and camper (17k lbs GCW) better at 70mph than it does at 60mph which is a direct result of not being up in the power band at the lower speed. The V10 likes RPMs and doesn't mind running 4000rpms all day long but your wallet will hurt if you hsve to run it like this for extended periods. I would say on the nedxt trip to run it in 3rd and see how things go. you'll want your rpms between 2800-3200rpms at cruising speed for the best power (not the best mileage). Your mileage should be around 8-10mpg running at those rpms while cruising on the HWW. Try this and let us know how it goes. It would help to know what kind of rmps you are running at the different speeds in both 3rd and OD so we can give you proper advise, whether it be that it's not in the powerband or needs some mechanical work.

Dalbery · 03-09-2006, 07:51 PM

My Motorhome doesn't have a Tach and I'm having a hard time finding one for the V-10. All fluids and filters have just been changed.
Thanks to all!!

GAlbery · 03-09-2006, 09:54 PM

Thanks for responding. Yes I put in a K-N air filter, I changed fuel filter, put on a straight through 3 inch muffler, I had it checked out all systems are OK. checked fuel pressure at injectors it was OK, Checked engine back pressure at oxygen sensor it was OK. Still does not want to pull in overdrive on any small grade. 4.63 gear ratio. Thanks for any suggestions. GAlbery

V10 man · 03-10-2006, 02:09 AM

It's not going to stay in OD on any grade. It needs the RPMs to move that load.

mandkole · 03-16-2006, 02:10 PM

I was just going to say something very similar; rev it up! I've always been told that you don't want the trans hunting in/out of OD.

I'm actually pretty impressed that I can hold 50 going over the Siskyous loaded @ 21k# (incl. 20 ft pace american on the back). Unless I'm on perfectly flat with no wind, I often run it locked out of OD/on the pipe. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

Mike

FXRSCOTTY · 03-17-2006, 10:40 PM

Sumpin ain't right! I have a 2004 E450 Four Winds 5000 24T that is 26 feet long with a slide and I can use cruise most of the time around 60 without it kicking down. I have 456 gears and it goes real well. it ain't no stroker but does fine. Even in the mountains of NH and VT it does great in or out of OD. Scotty.