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Topic: Throttle System for 8.3 (Read 581 times) previous topic - next topic

Throttle System for 8.3

Talking to Keith Reich yesterday and he said he thought there was a discussion here on the forum about a new fuel system to replace the King Control other than installing an air throttle. I said I don't think so but will double check. My question is have I missed something and is there another option besides air throttle?
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #1
Start here,

Air throttle installation to replace King Controls
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean


Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #3
I'm aware of the air throttle system Chuck but Kieth thought there was a system being discussed besides Air and I'm checking to see if I missed it .
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #4
Read the above air throttle posts,(all of them),that is exactly what Dub does not want.To answer your question Dub,I do not
remember seeing what your asking,maybe on another brand forum.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #5
I should have captialized OTHER than.Thanks still because I'm going to need help with the air if nothing else exist. In contact with JOR now.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #6
The reason I'm asking is the air throttle parts alone are going to probably surpass 2k and I expect to have to hire the labor and that will be no telling what for cost. Looking for possible options that I don't think exist. I think what Kieth heard about IS the air throttle but wanted to double check.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #7
I could probably find a USED King box but used electronics is a big crap shoot and usually not returnable. I rode that horse on used ECM years ago.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #8
Dub,any luck on the throttle sensor?
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #9
Dub,any luck on the throttle sensor?
Not really David. Of course my old sensor is obsolete so I bought a new pedal and updated sensor from Williams controlsThey are the manufacturer that built the original and their rep and one of their engineers has tried to help me. The new pedal would plug into my harness without any adapting but it won't throttle the engine. I told him the old sensor failed an ohm test and the engineer replied that ohms is not the way to test the obsolete sensor, if it has adequate voltage it will work. Things are pointing to the king box. Williams told the vendor to refund the purchase price and I appreciated that because ANYTHING electronic is usually yours when you take possession. I'm reluctant to throw any more money at the issue and am likely to change over to air since it seems to be all that is available for options.I am going to check the voltage as the engineer explained but I'm skeptical of that being the issue. I don't feel lucky concerning this issue because of knowing the King Controls history.
Dub McBride 1996 270


Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #11
Dub, there are several options.  Note, however that all of them require you to also purchase and install a throttle position sensor for the transmission to shift correctly. This device is integrated into the King control, very unusual setup. This device is in the 4-500 dollar range and usually requires an allison tech to calibrate it after install.  In addition you will need to replace or adapt existing foot pedal.

Probably the most popular  is the air throttle.  Not especially simple to set up as it requires tapping into existing air lines and custom bracketry for the connection of air cylinder to engine at far end.  Ft member JOR documented his install very well on the forum.

There is a hydraulic system that uses mineral oil which looked pretty straightforward last time I checked.  Unfortunately I don't remember the brand, though they occasionally pop up on ebay.

The third, and definitely the least expensive is using a high quality marine throttle/shift cable.  Now, before anyone casts aspersions on this idea, let me assure you I have routed high quality marine cables, long ones, through many bends and they are unbelievably efficient.  You can easily push and pull them with your pinky finger and they last for many years in a saltwater environment.  Plus, routing one in a foretravel will require far fewer bends than the usual marine application. It will require sourcing the end fittings separately and some ingenuity in connecting but seems quite straightforward.  Depending on how much cable travel a foot pedal provides you may or may not have to construct a linkage at engine end to allow full throttle....just haven't looked into it enough to say.

Sorry you're in this predicament.  Let me know if I can help, brainstorming, parts sourcing etc.


"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #12
I'm surprised some clever tech hasn't come up with a 12 volt electronic throttle system.  Transducer pedal assembly up front, one long multi-conductor cable to the rear, and a slave solenoid on the engine to pull the throttle lever.  Lots of vehicles are "drive by wire" these days, with no mechanical connection between accelerator pedal and engine.  Just need somebody to come up with the appropriate parts and box them in a kit.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #13
Dub, there are several options.  Note, however that all of them require you to also purchase and install a throttle position sensor for the transmission to shift correctly. This device is integrated into the King control, very unusual setup. This device is in the 4-500 dollar range and usually requires an allison tech to calibrate it after install.  In addition you will need to replace or adapt existing foot pedal.

Probably the most popular  is the air throttle.  Not especially simple to set up as it requires tapping into existing air lines and custom bracketry for the connection of air cylinder to engine at far end.  Ft member JOR documented his install very well on the forum.

There is a hydraulic system that uses mineral oil which looked pretty straightforward last time I checked.  Unfortunately I don't remember the brand, though they occasionally pop up on ebay.

The third, and definitely the least expensive is using a high quality marine throttle/shift cable.  Now, before anyone casts aspersions on this idea, let me assure you I have routed high quality marine cables, long ones, through many bends and they are unbelievably efficient.  You can easily push and pull them with your pinky finger and they last for many years in a saltwater environment.  Plus, routing one in a foretravel will require far fewer bends than the usual marine application. It will require sourcing the end fittings separately and some ingenuity in connecting but seems quite straightforward.  Depending on how much cable travel a foot pedal provides you may or may not have to construct a linkage at engine end to allow full throttle....just haven't looked into it enough to say.

Sorry you're in this predicament.  Let me know if I can help, brainstorming, parts sourcing etc.
My '81 40' Fortravel uses such a cable from the factory, for the throttle and the shifter. I believe they are Morse cables but would have to check. It is a rear engine diesel pusher and long cables.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #14
Dub, there are several options.  Note, however that all of them require you to also purchase and install a throttle position sensor for the transmission to shift correctly. This device is integrated into the King control, very unusual setup. This device is in the 4-500 dollar range and usually requires an allison tech to calibrate it after install.  In addition you will need to replace or adapt existing foot pedal.

Probably the most popular  is the air throttle.  Not especially simple to set up as it requires tapping into existing air lines and custom bracketry for the connection of air cylinder to engine at far end.  Ft member JOR documented his install very well on the forum.

There is a hydraulic system that uses mineral oil which looked pretty straightforward last time I checked.  Unfortunately I don't remember the brand, though they occasionally pop up on ebay.

The third, and definitely the least expensive is using a high quality marine throttle/shift cable.  Now, before anyone casts aspersions on this idea, let me assure you I have routed high quality marine cables, long ones, through many bends and they are unbelievably efficient.  You can easily push and pull them with your pinky finger and they last for many years in a saltwater environment.  Plus, routing one in a foretravel will require far fewer bends than the usual marine application. It will require sourcing the end fittings separately and some ingenuity in connecting but seems quite straightforward.  Depending on how much cable travel a foot pedal provides you may or may not have to construct a linkage at engine end to allow full throttle....just haven't looked into it enough to say.

Sorry you're in this predicament.  Let me know if I can help, brainstorming, parts sourcing etc..... Quote
Thanks Chuck... John ORiely.... JOR that used to be with us sent me extensive drawings today  via email. I was busy all afternoon  plus it is very hot in my shop where my big monitor is that will help me get a broad view of the drawings so I can study closely, I will do that in the morning when it cools a little...Also another forum member contacted me this morning with some ideas and a couple of vendors names from the auto racing industry that I plan to follow up on..There are some possibilities there that could work and be less expensive at the same time. The parts alone for the air throttle system will likely be between $2,000.00 and  $2500.00. I will likely farm out the labor because I just don't believe I can satisfy myself with my own work even though I have a shop. I do quiet a bit of my own work but this makes my head spin. I will be the one to gather the parts and will likely need help with that so I appreciate your offer. Like Chuck from midland/ Odessa says, a guy who would come up with an alternative and less expensive replacement for throttle replacement could sell it with a little marketing. We know of one customer he would have Monday morning.. Like you said, it is a long way from the helm to the engine room on a 40ft boat so there are applications there that could be used in a bus if a guy just sat down, figured it out and built it. Again unfortunately that is above my pay grade.



Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Throttle System for 8.3

Reply #15
Dub check your private messages

"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS