Engine upgrade

[CornishSilver]

I am expecting to be pulling the trigger on my 1st early anyday now. I have a couple of buses short listed in my head but 3 of them are 1600cc and 1 is a 1641cc. The primary use is going to be for occasional short local trips around the valley that I live in(lots of steep hills) and camping holidays. We are a family of 4 and do not travel lightly and struggle for room in our current T5 so a trailer is going to be in tow also. Can a 1776cc engine go straight in as a swap or do I need to then uprate the gearbox and clutch? All the buses I'm looking at are good mechanically so I'm guessing I could p/x with whoever does the work? Can someone tell me if this is the right lines to be thinking along and what its going to roughly end up costing me? Another critical question is, which is the most reliable and offers best mpg? Thanks guys

 

[StuF]

I am sure a 1776 would be fine however we tow a trailer and travel fully laden running a standard 1600 with twin ict 34 carbs
Maybe get the bus and run it for a while to see how you find it?
I am sure someone at a show/meet will take you out in a 1776 engined bus for a comparison

Dont think upgraded gearboxes are required

 

[*Sam*]

If you dont upgrade the box with a longer final drive it's waste of time really. You won't gain much MPG and you won't drop revs for top end on the motorway which with children on board is bonus as the engine noise can get a bit much.
Sure you can run it on standard box but seems a bit of a waste of time really.

 

[CornishSilver]

Thanks for the input guys, interesting point on the noise out-put Sam, my kids like most nowadays are usually hooked up to iPods, pads, dvds, lcds......... so noise may not be noticed by them lol. Another positive for the more powerful engine though

 

[Julesx]

If you dont upgrade the box with a longer final drive it's waste of time really. .

Newbie questions!

I'm considering a bigger engine for our bus and it would be nice to have slightly lower cruising RPM and less noise.

What is the recommended gear box upgrade for such an engine?

Is it a case of rebuilding your existing box with new internals or buying a box from a later T2?

Thanks

 

[vassy69SC]

Julesx , I run an 1800 Kombi gearbox with a 1600 fourth gear in it.
It is in a single cab with a 2165cc behind it. Works well in that situation.
Cornish Silver, I would run the standard box with a 1776 if you towing a trailer.
A good engine is happy to rev and if you tried towing with a taller top gear you are going to make a 1776 struggle in my opinion.

 

[*Sam*]

Julesx , I run an 1800 Kombi gearbox with a 1600 fourth gear in it.
It is in a single cab with a 2165cc behind it. Works well in that situation.
Cornish Silver, I would run the standard box with a 1776 if you towing a trailer.
A good engine is happy to rev and if you tried towing with a taller top gear you are going to make a 1776 struggle in my opinion.

A point well made ref the trailer, given that you swapping from a T5 to a bay and intend to do Spain France etc my gut feeling is that you would be best of with a big motor.
I appreciate that you say no I'm happy to cruise at 50/55 but when you spend half the day on the road and your still only 150 miles into your journey I think you will feel different.

I would go 2 litre plus and and custom box to suit your towing weight, I would also take the trailer weight into mind when choosing he engine components

 

[*Sam*]

If you dont upgrade the box with a longer final drive it's waste of time really. .

Newbie questions!

I'm considering a bigger engine for our bus and it would be nice to have slightly lower cruising RPM and less noise.

What is the recommended gear box upgrade for such an engine?

Is it a case of rebuilding your existing box with new internals or buying a box from a later T2?

Thanks

You can either buy a ready built box often called a freeway flyer or you can import a ring and pinion set and have yours built to suit, you can also change ratios if required.

Personally I would steer clear of a builder that's "in the scene" if you go for a rebuild.
Look for a hewland specialist or formula ford specialist.

 

[Julesx]

If you dont upgrade the box with a longer final drive it's waste of time really. .

You can either buy a ready built box often called a freeway flyer or you can import a ring and pinion set and have yours built to suit, you can also change ratios if required.

Personally I would steer clear of a builder that's "in the scene" if you go for a rebuild.
Look for a hewland specialist or formula ford specialist.

Thanks - The 'freeway flyer' was my next question! Now I know!