We are considering an upgrade to get more power, air ride, diesel gen, Aquahot, etc., so U320 or maybe a 99+(for the ISC350) U295. Looking at the spec sheets, the dash A/C was improved, and hitch rating was 10K in '99. On the U320, what else, if anything, is lacking/different on a '98 or maybe even a '97? Thanks.
My understanding is that the 1997 U320 had the 400 Hp M11 and that the 1998 U320 had the 450 Hp ISM. Same basic engine with an improved fuel system in the ISM.
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Most '97 coaches had a 450 hp M-11 Celectric engine. A few early '97 had the 400 hp M-11
Mike
I THOUGHT we had a 450HP M-11 in our 1998 U-320. How can I tell by looking at the engine?
The two engines have the same displacement which is 10.8 liters.
Generally speaking the M11 engines were all black and the ISM engines had a red top. I don't know if that's a definitive way to tell which engine is which.
Read the engine serial number and enter the information into the Cummins Quickserve Website.
15 coaches owned. None of dash air worked. I would think I'd died and gone to heaven if they worked.
Now, I do have heat in the dash- and that's a good thing
I believe they are both M11 engines. They difference is the ECU.
The red tops have electronic injectors and that was where the ISM is different than M-11.
According to the spec sheets, if you believe them, '95 U320SE's have M11-450's, '95-97 U320's have M11-400's, '98-99 have M11 Celect+450's, 2000+ have ISM-450's.
I think my 2000 has M-11 450
Don't want to jinx myself, but my dash air works. Doesn't freeze you out but definitely blows nice cold air... Has for years....
It will probably quit next trip now...
Ernie you have and ISM 450
I have a 98 U 320. My engine is the red top ISM 450. AND....my ac blows "sorta" cold air. Not really effective. I also have the 10k tow capacity
My '98 had the M11 450 and my 2000, the same if I am not mistaken. Great engines with no DEF and extra crap put on at later dates by epa!
Engines aside, any other differences?
Different graphics on the outside but most everything else is the same. Inside you will see changes mostly in the different floor plans as during those years $ was king and the factory did so many one offs.
Mike
The spec sheet for 1995 is wrong. My understanding is that every U320 is a U320C SE (for Special Edition). My 1995 U320C SE has a 400 Hp M11. The engine was originally rated at 370 Hp and 1,350 lb-ft torque. Foretravel had it updated to 400 Hp. Our Silverleaf VMSpc displays about 1,350 lb-ft at about 1200 RPM and about 400 Hp at about 1600 RPM.
Your VMSpc will show torque and horsepower based on the engine file you select, you can pick any one you want. There is no reported torque or HP from the engine computer, it is a calculated value based on RPMs and engine load and a couple other things and look-up values in the engine file. It is just like looking it up on a chart.
From The VMSpc user manual ...
Torque and Horsepower
These are calculated from various operating parameters and are generally accurate to within 5%. However, the proper engine must be selected in the Advanced menu, under Engine Type. These gauges are not intended as diagnostic tools.
Either year should work fine, not many significant differences. Find a coach in the best possible mechanical condition with a floor plan you like, if you like the interior colors, great. They can be changed. Newer tires, batteries, air bags, shocks, fuel lines, inverter, etc all help. If you are considering switching to a more modern inverter, a residential refrig, lithium batteries, or solar the getting one with original equipment or aging batteries can save some money on the purchase price.
Lots of considerations when determining value.
Silverleaf states that the displayed horsepower and torque (derived from various measured values) are generally accurate within 5%. Because I entered the correct engine information and because the values reported by VMSpc agree well with the data measured by a chassis dyno when our motorhome was on it I feel quite comfortable with the displayed information.
Thanks for the replies. The dream unicorn would be a '99ish GV320 4200 WTME, stored in a climate-controlled building since new, very low use, never lived in, being sold by a widow for $50K just to get rid of it. :D I won't be waiting for that to pop up.
That might be good idea as that creature was never made. Only DGFE and RCFE were made at that point in time in the 42' coaches.
Mike
I'll go for a 99'ish U320 40' WTFE. I'd really like a mid-entry, but I know those are extremely rare. No slide, please.
When I worked at Country Coach feature upgrades from year to year on a particular model came somewhat randomly throughout the year unless it was something major like a new fiberglass design, floorplan or a major engine/transmission change. They had an excel sheet titled "Start no's" that listed the model, build number, sometimes the date, and the change. Sometimes it's wasn't something that would cause a change in the brochure but a change to a suppliers part; like "Neway IFS with new one piece 7/8" pivot bolts - begin"
I would guess Foretravel is/was very similar. It's actually very difficult to coordinate and sequence ALL the parts and materials that go in these coaches. There are the different models, floorplans, paint schemes, interior fabrics, vendor changes all the time, customizations, and it's usually a somewhat manually coordinated ordering/planning process.
So features between year models can be a little fuzzy.
Hence the words "dream unicorn". ^.^d
Read the whole article and it explains the different HP available and when it became an ism. Your 400 HP is correct for 1995 even though lower HP's were available.
Cummins M-series engine - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cummins_M-series_engine)
I've read that entire article several times. However keep in mind that Wikipedia articles aren't always accurate and that this article doesn't address what Foretravel chose to install in any given year.