volvo d13 500HP or d16 500HP with I-Shift. Which one is better choice to buy?

Traditionally in Europe the d16 was never as reliable as the smaller d12/13 or as fuel effecient for that matter, I haven't driven a d16 in recent years (never popular in Ireland ) so maybe they've improved them but the d13s is a good engine, torque isn't crazy but as good as anything I've driven in Canada and more fuel efficient which the way things are heading will be the single biggest cost just like naziland , also you get the ishift , by far and away the best auto on the market and best offroad too, you can dump down multiple gears at one time, there's rocking mode so you can rock yourself free by just pumping the throttle pedal or you can use a sort of launch control, build up the revs hit the minus button and it dumps the clutch so you can break free in certain situations as for on the road.....smoooth, for on highway driving you would let it run full auto but in tricky situations the manual override is easy, precise and instinctive , best cab and ride on any truck in NA right now with some real crash protection, the cab comes from a Volvo fm and is build to Swedish crash standards ( each pillar can sustain a 15,000kg (33,000lbs) static load each.

Can a retarder be specced with the ishift box in NA? def would be worth it if you intend doing mountains

 

I dont know, thats a benefits for this big engine in europe where trucks locked to 50 MPH?
Idling not a problems, even buses with passengers shut engine in europe after one second.

About I-shift. look for 18 speed model, especially for BC, 12 speed model have 350rpm gaps between gears. its too much.

 

True but euros run heavier, and run on more mountainous terrain, Europe is very hilly 7-9% hills on freeways are very common , US trucks are geared for higher speeds

a neighbour of mine from Ireland runs a fleet of mostly scania r620's and r730's doing reefer work to Southern Europe , the 730hp model is returning over 1.5mpg better , most guys here will buy a big high torque engine to save fuel, volvos d16 was never popular here cos it was seen as unreliable and thirsty, the d12 was always a good engine so that was the choice here..

never seen even a bus that shuts off like that, no need to idle trucks here, bunk heaters are standard and they have aircon that works with the engine off, inverters provide 240v electric

never knew Volvo did 18 speed ishift, no need for it in Europe cos we don't need overdrive gears, I'd say it would be a good job for the higher speeds in NA but American trucks run so light would they really need that many gears?

 

Watch out for I shift . On my third one now . Had to pay 30,000.00 for this one. Yes just the tranny. Volvo knows about the problems buts as usual won't recall or help.

 

I shift is a great ride but very expensive to replace. On my third one in four years.

 

What year is your truck? What have the failures been?

 

i dont like to express gaps between gears in rpm that means nothing ,

difference in volvo ishift are about 1.28:1

and this make 350rpm if you shift it at +1600/-1250 , which is not that common

in europe we dont see reason for more gears having 16gears today make no sense , maybe even 14gears is too much , modern engines can cope with more gap

i think for certain aplications volvo could make 14gear version with crawlers



for example mercedes have 8,12 and 16speed version of automated gearbox(12 speed sold in US as detroit)

version of 16speed is only used in very heavy construction , heavy haulage above 120t gross , although mercedes offer 12speed even above 120t

[TABLE="class: ms-table-cols-4"]
[TR]
[TH="class: ms-table-col-1"]earbox [/TH]
[TH="class: ms-table-col-2"] Type[/TH]
[TH="class: ms-table-col-3"] Gears
Forward / Reverse[/TH]
[TH="class: ms-table-col-4"] Ratios[/TH]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[TABLE="class: ms-table-cols-4"]
[TR]
[TH="class: ms-table-col-1"]G140-8 [/TH]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-2"] Overdrive [/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-3"] 8 / 2[/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-4"] 9.30 - 0.79 [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: ms-colored"]
[TH="class: ms-table-col-1"] G211-12[/TH]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-2"] Direct Drive [/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-3"] 12 / 4[/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-4"] 14.93 – 1.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="class: ms-table-col-1"] G230-12 [/TH]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-2"] Overdrive[/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-3"] 12 / 4[/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-4"] 11.70 – 0.78 [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: ms-colored"]
[TH="class: ms-table-col-1"] G281-12 [/TH]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-2"] Direct Drive
[/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-3"] 12 / 4[/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-4"] 14.93 – 1.00 [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="class: ms-table-col-1"] G330-12[/TH]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-2"] Overdrive [/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-3"] 12 / 4[/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-4"] 11.64 – 0.77[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: ms-colored"]
[TH="class: ms-table-col-1"] G280-16[/TH]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-2"] Overdrive [/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-3"] 16 / 4[/TD]
[TD="class: ms-table-col-4"] 11.70 – 0.69
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

first number in gearbox type is rated torque
140=1400nm,
211=2100nm (although mercedes use it up to 2200nm+200nm overboost in top gear) 1stand for direct drive
230=2300nm....

mercedes offer 280 with up to 3000nm of torque

 

These guys saying the d16 from years ago doesn't mean Jack. Injector, turbo, and injector cup issues have all be addressed... If you want more power don't go with the Cummins as they are still way behind the emissions game, look into the Volvo XE package available with both engines, that will give you the additional torque required for b.c.

 

Curious as to what issues you have had. Kind of thought the ishift was their bullet proof selling point.

Any issues with yours Elroythekid?

 

Yes I am interested as well knowing what the failures have been. I know personally in 300,000km mines be flawless and talking to the dealer they've changed out 3 in 6 years or so due to failure and 1 clutch assembly was pooched but that was due to driver abuse. I know my previous eaton auto shifts were awesome Til about that 700-800km and 3/4 winter season. Then connections, shift rails etc all started causing problems