'98 vs '99 Changes

Topic: '98 vs '99 Changes (Read 945 times) previous topic - next topic

'98 vs '99 Changes

March 07, 2022, 11:20:29 am

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.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #1 – March 07, 2022, 11:26:56 am

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.
.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #2 – March 07, 2022, 11:32:45 am

Most '97 coaches had a 450 hp M-11 Celectric engine. A few early '97 had the 400 hp M-11

Mike

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #3 – March 07, 2022, 11:57:48 am

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – March 07, 2022, 11:26:56 am

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.
.

I THOUGHT we had a 450HP M-11 in our 1998 U-320. How can I tell by looking at the engine?

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #4 – March 07, 2022, 12:00:34 pm

Quote from: oldmattb – March 07, 2022, 11:57:48 am

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.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #5 – March 07, 2022, 12:15:14 pm

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

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #6 – March 07, 2022, 12:32:22 pm

I believe they are both M11 engines. They difference is the ECU.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #7 – March 07, 2022, 12:40:18 pm

The red tops have electronic injectors and that was where the ISM is different than M-11.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #8 – March 07, 2022, 12:44:44 pm

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.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #9 – March 07, 2022, 12:51:09 pm

I think my 2000 has M-11 450

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #10 – March 07, 2022, 12:52:16 pm

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...

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #11 – March 07, 2022, 01:00:55 pm

Ernie you have and ISM 450

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #12 – March 07, 2022, 01:30:18 pm

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

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #13 – March 07, 2022, 02:18:52 pm

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!

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #14 – March 07, 2022, 02:23:25 pm

Engines aside, any other differences?

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #15 – March 07, 2022, 03:04:47 pm

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

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #16 – March 07, 2022, 03:13:48 pm

Quote from: Dave Larsen – March 07, 2022, 12:44:44 pm

According to the spec sheets, if you believe them, '95 U320SE's have M11-450's

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.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #17 – March 07, 2022, 05:32:16 pm

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.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #18 – March 07, 2022, 06:12:59 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – March 07, 2022, 05:32:16 pm

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.

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.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #19 – March 07, 2022, 08:47:13 pm

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.

I won't be waiting for that to pop up.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #20 – March 07, 2022, 09:23:16 pm

Quote from: Dave Larsen – March 07, 2022, 08:47:13 pm

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

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #21 – March 07, 2022, 09:38:55 pm

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.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #22 – March 07, 2022, 10:11:22 pm

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.

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #23 – March 08, 2022, 08:44:37 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – March 07, 2022, 09:23:16 pm

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

Hence the words "dream unicorn".

Re: '98 vs '99 Changes

Reply #24 – March 08, 2022, 10:47:05 am

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – March 07, 2022, 06:12:59 pm

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.

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

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