Scotts_D250

I have been searching classifieds for some time now looking for a cummins to do a nice engine build with fancy pistons and what not. I found a "1980 cummins 290 big cam" and a "MODEL 8.3c rated at 210hp from 1991"..

I'm not sure really where to go with this.. but being this is 91 and prior i took a stab in the dark and went here. what is the big difference between building one of these "big cam engines" or this 8.3c which i know nothing about. Pro's/cons?
Any input would help...

maybe the 8.3c would be a good one it comes with a 6 speed :P

thanks, scott

Richie O

The 8.3 is a 505 cubic inch C series. Its not going to fit in a pickup. The 290 is an even bigger engine then that.

Scotts_D250

Bummer, can't even shoe horn that in :/ lol thanks

JD730

The 290 is part of the N series engines, all displacing 855 cubic inches. NT, NTC, Small Cam, Big Cam, N14 all share the displacement.

Trebor

From my notes the C Series is roughly 4-1/2" longer and 4" taller than the B Series Cummins. The running "C" weight is in the neighborhood of 500 more. I can't locate the fuel consumption differences in gallons per hour at peak torque but the "C" drinks a bit more. I have often thought of trying to locate one from a medium duty truck but I already have more projects than I need.

wannadiesel

I've seen pics of an 8.3 stuffed in a Ford. The guy had to build a doghouse and make a custom dash like you see on the SCORE trucks. Neat project but not super practical.

Scotts_D250

Well i considered keeping my DD stock and getting something along the lines of one of these engines.. but the fabrication is out of my skill set.. it would be very cool to be toolin around on weekends with something that big.

Dean Snow

I seen an 8.3 all modded up in a 3rd gen dodge for sale online back a while ago. it was a nice black dually.

JQmile

I saw that truck too....I think he said cutting off the 8.3's bellhousing was the hardest part of the swap.

Onemoparnut

I met a guy once that had a 12 valve second gen and swore that the guy who sold him the truck swapped a 350 cummins in it lol. i had him open the hood and it still even had the valve cover trim plate that said DODGE all over it hahaha

Richie O

The marine p pumpers went all the way to a 370 horse motor. So it is possible to have a stock motor at that hp, but more likely a fish story. There is a boat around here with a 300 horse C series in it. It had a straight pipe for years and sounded very nice on the water. Boats sound very good because of the load they have on the engine. Rev's plus heavy load = nice. The only C I have ever driven or worked on was in a cab over Ford sweeper truck. It was a 210 C and numb, but it had a allison too. ( atleast the powerplant on the vac was a natural B )

Trebor

Here's an 8.3 in a newer pick up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXXm4Nf3os

Rick 12v CTD

that thing sounds so awesome it's ridiculous

Scotts_D250

If they were able to shoe horn a 8.3 in that 3rd gen, I think it would be possible to squeeze one in a 1st gen considering there would be more room no?

jesussaves

you can do anything with the right fab skills