Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Caterpillar 3208 HP upgrade (Read 702 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from I want a Grand Villa,...

Caterpillar 3208 HP upgrade

I have a 1990 Grand Villa with a 250 hp CAT 3208T. Looking to get more hp out of it to pull hills a little better. What kind of performance upgrades do you guys recommend? Thanks, Jim

Re: Caterpillar 3208 HP upgrade

Reply #1 –
Welcome to the Forum!

You can use the Forum search tool (top right corner of page) to look for pertinent info.  Put "CAT 3208" in the search box.  Here's a couple links to get you started:

Cat 3208 - small???

Cat 3208 t

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: Caterpillar 3208 HP upgrade

Reply #2 –
Do the basics. Remove the muffler
Add 1/3 click of fuel. Etc.
I did all of the little things and went back to stock fuel settings. 
The fan removal was by far the best improvement speed wise for me.  But note that I added a small fan back on for pulling my trailer in the hills.

Re: Caterpillar 3208 HP upgrade

Reply #3 –
Jim I live in the Rockies and just did Arizona to BC with my 87 3208 last summer pulling a heavy 4 door jeep. Never once did I wish for more power in the hills. The little engine climbed wolf creek pass no problem.  Might want to make sure you don't have something else going on limiting yours. When's the last time you changed your fuel filters?

I went back and forth over doing some of these upgrades and decided I'd rather err on the side of keeping engine temps down for longer climbs.

1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Caterpillar 3208 HP upgrade

Reply #4 –
Had a bunch of 3208s in the fleet I took care of. Good motors, about the only thing that would kill em running hot. IMHO turning up fuel and hot rodding old diesels never ends well. Keep the fuel and air filters clean.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Caterpillar 3208 HP upgrade

Reply #5 –
I think we all had more power when climbing grades. The big thing is to watch your engine (and turbo) temperature.
My 1981 Foretravel had a 210 HP 3208 and I learned to just get in the right hand lane and put on my flashers while I kept an eye on the temperature gauge. .
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Caterpillar 3208 HP upgrade

Reply #6 –
Sometimes going slower as you approach the top of a hill is a safety feature. Easier to stay at the lower speed going down.
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148

Re: Caterpillar 3208 HP upgrade

Reply #7 –
I drove a 85 250hp 3208 35' coach that had a 375hp twin turbo marine system bolted onto the stock lower end.  The owner never used it hard until the trans was in high gear.  I would have that in a heartbeat if i owned a 250 cat.  Stock 643 Allison trans.  What hills.  I was sales manager at Foretravels ca store in the late 80's
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Caterpillar 3208 HP upgrade

Reply #8 –
Quote from: bbeane –
Had a bunch of 3208s in the fleet I took care of. Good motors, about the only thing that would kill em running hot. IMHO turning up fuel and hot rodding old diesels never ends well. Keep the fuel and air filters clean.

My thoughts exactly.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020