Tell me about Volvos

Different strokes for different folks.

I wasn't the best at shifting when I first started -- scratched a lot of gears, ... but with a good trainer, I never considered myself not in control. -- even on I-5 in California on the Grapevine and northern mountains, Oregon and Washington, which I saw a lot of during training.

I started on an International Cab-Over with that shortie shifter. Didn't like it, but didn't know that yet. Not until I drove my first conventional with a longer shifter that I could FEEL the gears with. THEN I knew!
And I knew I liked conventionals too. Waayyy better than cab-overs.

I'm sure there are good points to the auto shifters, but I wonder if they're as much fun to drive? :smt102

I dunno.

 

I understand what you mean by fun to drive and for me it is. Now the only vehicle I would not have any other way than a manual is a sports car like a Mustang GT500, Z28 or something like that. As for having to driver every day, the rig is fun (its a rig!), but what is better is it will be less stressful not having to think about what my brother is thinking about. I also know that the safety facts behind students etc. most of the accidents occur during a missed shift. The first thing they do is look at the shifter and take their eyes off the road. My personal truck is an F250 diesel. I have days where I wish it was stick but they are few and very far between. I am almost certain it will be the same way with my new rig. But time will tell.

 

Ever heard of a "BOSS 429" Mustang?
It's a cross-bolted hemi engine shoe-horned into the engine compartment. Battery is in the truck, functional hood scoop and manual choke are standard.
I owned one from 1970 (brand new) to around 1973 when I traded it for an F-250 4x4, all set-up, pee-kup.
Four speed?
Oh YeaH!
Both of 'em.
But the pee-kup had a granny and a two speed transfer case. Eight gears? Two in reverse?
MAYbe --- with fancy shiftin'.

Perhaps not "what" he's thinkin' 'bout -- but MAYbe WHO (he's thinkin' 'bout)

No SHIFT?

I have an F-250 with the 460 CID big block.
Passes EVERYthing on the highway --- except gas stations. Thank gawd it ain't diesel. Here in SoCal, diesel is runnin' 'round $4.60 a gallon.

Mine's an automatic too. But I ALWAYS wish it wasn't.

Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders, Cowboy. Practical thinkin' will most likely bring home more bacon.

Best of success to you and your brother AND your Big truck truckin' business.

 

Sounds like you should be having fun in your new Peter. And with your mindset, you should be able to maintain a safe rig, train your brother right, and still bring home some pretty bacon. I drove a Pete 387 like yours, with a Autoshift 10speed. It did alright, but I could never get that pig to get more than 5.9 MPG. I imagine it had alot to do with that big twin turbo cat under the hood being castrated (600HP cut WAY back to 375). Short while after, I was in another Pete 387, same set up, except with a Cummins engine (Straight 450HP). 6.9-7.2 out of her. I always have liked my cummins, I just hate their turbo lag.

To that other guy not sure about the automatic, I think if you gave one a good, honest, try. You would probly like it. It does take quite a bit to get used to the idea of the shifter not being there, and for the ultrashift, the clutch not being there. But its a good setup, IF, you are trained right on them.

I have not met very many drivers of the autoshift that have been trained as to how to get the max engine braking capability out of the engine, or how to skip shift, or how to select a diferent starting gear. To me these are all esential things to know about driving a autoshift, or ultrashift. I should probly start a thread on that, to train the untrained. The new tranny out of Volvo, the IDrive, looks to be a very interesting setup. But I have no experience on them... Yet.

 

The dealer told me the engine is capable of a lot more than 475 but I am trying to determine if it is economically worth turning it up??? Any thoughts?

 

The more power in a diesel the better the milage, it will not work as hard especially with alight load.....

Oh and you CANNOT cut a 600hp accert cat back to 375hp, i think the lowest setting a C15 accert will go is 435hp, but not the 600, way to much injector in it.

 

OK, being that I have never had one turned up, what is involved? Is it just programming or do they have to swap parts? If parts have to be changed, how do you know what it has or is that dealer specific? The dealer told me it could go 550 but if I do that, what does that do to my reliability and longevity of it?

 

What motor? Give me the model of the trans RTLOXXXX, FROXXXX???? Its just a computer flash, they put the 550hp program in it, If its a CAT then there is no difference inside the motor between a 475 and a 625.... Cummins, not sure, But i think 475hp isx can be turned up to 565hp, maybe 600 if you got a big enough trans. Basically they give it more fuel and more boost via a different ecm program, yes its reliable or dealers wouldnt do it, they are scared of everything.

 

Aight... so who's coming up from Florida that wants to bring the pair of 6' straights I'ma about to get off ebay? Good for some coin in your pocket.

 

Cat C15 with Ultrashift 10 OD I don't know the model, I just bought it a week ago and am having an APU installed and a second bunk. I am picking it up next week.

Pete, I am heading from SW FL to VA just north of Bristol TN if that would help any....leaving Sat afternoon.