I got the unit home and it has an AT542 4 sp allison with cummins 190 engine with p 7100 pump. Seems rather doggy because the convertor is pretty loose. It has an exhaust brake on it but when i hit the switch i can,t really feel it holding back. The tailpipe comming out of the muffler looks crushed real bad maybe hurting my power and miliage. My fuel miliage coming back to Iowa from Florida was around 11 mpg. Who sells tighter convertors for this trans? With cruise control set it goes against gov at every hill trying to hold speed.

 

I forgot to ask but how do you turn up the rpm a little bit on a 1996 motor? Also if i get a tighter convertor what is the best thing to do to add a little power? Is the specs the same for a motor in a motorhome? I would like to add about 40 hp to make it like a cummins 230.At this level of power would i need gages? Thanks,Rod

 

Does anyone know if there is supposed to be a wait to start light on a cummins in a motorhome application? I have never seen a light in mine.

 

The P pump on the 190 is totally fail proof. It is an industrial version of the same pump used on the Dodges.

On the 190 horse engine spend time running your hands around the exhaust manifold when it is running. Do this cold, because you have crawl under the bed in the rear, stand on the engine, and reach underneath and all around each of the exhaust port ears where they attach to the manifold.

Also, take a very bright light and crawl right on top of the engine and look down at the exhaust manifold bolts where they go through the channels in the manifold. If they are "Z" bent you have broken bolts. Real problem that is labor intensive to repair, and the exhaust port ears will be eroded from exhaust blowing out around the manifold.

Twisting and shrinkage of the exhaust manifold is universal on the 190 horse with the P pump. You should discount the price by around $2,000 for the manifold and labor, and another $4,000 for the head if you find any leaks, bent or broken bolts, or any cracks in the exhaust manifold.

Other than that, the 190 is an excellent engine that can be easily turned up to way more power than you would ever use, and the 545 Allison is actually much tougher than the newer 6 speed World Transmissions from Allison.

As far the 545 handling the power, I have one turned up to over 425 horses and all I have to do is remember to keep my foot out of it during first to second shifts, after that if will hold anything you throw at that transmission.

If the rig has an exhaust brake and the stock converter, walk away. That will mean that the head is cracked around the exhaust valve seats because it was not installed by a professional that knew the exhaust springs and torque converter must be changed to make it work properly. The 190's must have the heavier exhaust springs installed, and the BD converter to handle the exhaust brake. If not, discount $5,000 to cover the cost of a new head and the BD converter.

If it is in good shape, it will be bulletproof once it is properly set up and has a pyrometer installed so you can keep the EGT in safe ranges. These engines tend to run high EGT in stock form because they cannot breathe.

 

Some of this sounds pretty scary. Since i already own the unit and can,t walk away from it and can,t afford to fix any of these potential problems i might just as well just drive the unit and not even check for these problems. Sounds like the original owner was kind of ignorant about diesels as he said the oil has only been changed once in the 8 yrs that he owned it because he said he only drove it 6000 miles, and the starting battery is a deep cycle size 24 with 600 cca. I have to use the start assist switch to get it started. Also i see no wait to start light on this.

 

Anybody know what exhaust housing is used on the cummins 190 with p-7100 pump and is it wastegated?

 

i had a97 safari with a 6 cyc cat a lot more torke thats usable
a friend had the same mh with the 95 5.9 cummins he tried to slide or
chg fuel plate but egts were now a issue so he went w/ stock plate
just moved alittle
i loved the 3406 cat it got around 8 mpg at 23k lbs w/ a 5 or 6 spd allison
my friend wiched he had the big cat
those cats will outlive the mh period
i see over 10k hours in logging w/ same motor and over 350 k in service trucks
and more

bill

 

Even if somebody had the same vehicle as you the exhaust housing on yours might not be stock so you will have to look at yours.

Gaza

 

i just bought a bus (1992 model) with the 190 hp cummins p pumped motor and 545 allison. that transmission is a SLUG. robbs tons of power and takes alot of rpm to get moving.

good to know that it will handle alot more hp, because thats what its going to get!