December 2009 - Performance Zone
BULLDOG TO BIG DOG
By Performance Specialist Bruce C. Mallinson
This month I’d like to talk about Mack trucks and what we are doing to improve their performance and fuel mileage. We here at Pittsburgh Power are in the process of building a performance
computer for the electronic E7 Mack engine, and so far we have added an additional 80 hp to the rear wheels. But, our testing is ongoing, and we will not release this computer to the public until we are able to add at least 160 hp to the rear wheels.
Before making any changes, our test Mack was averaging 6.0 to 6.2 mpg, so we started studying the rest of the truck and found another crazy restrictive muffler and too many 90-degree elbows. This Mack is equipped with an APU (it doesn’t have to idle), so we installed our straight-through performance muffler and then eliminated about six 90-degree elbows by removing the dual stacks from behind the bunk and installing a 4-foot section of chrome pipe underneath the truck, making it a “weed burner” system, dumping the exhaust out just before the differential. These two changes improved the fuel mileage to 6.7 mpg – not bad for a $158 muffler and a salvaged chrome stack.
Our next project with this Mack will take us under the hood. First, we’ll install a ported and Jet Hot coated exhaust manifold, and then we’ll add a FASS fuel system. The turbochargers on Mack engines are quite small, so the next time this truck is in our shop we will do back pressure checks in the exhaust manifold to see if a larger turbo is needed. I would love to gear this Mack to run in direct gear, make it a single axle with a liftable pusher axle and mount some super single tires on it to see if we can get 9 mpg out of it like we do with the Signature Series glider kits we build. Speaking of glider kits, we will soon be building a Freightliner Coronado and a 389 Pete, and are shooting for the 9+ mpg range out of each unit. We will keep you informed as to how these builds are going.
We often hear the same question from many owner operators: “How much power can I give my truck before it hurts itself?” Think about that question. A truck never hurts itself, it’s the guy behind the wheel that has the potential to hurt it. But regardless of how much horsepower and torque we give owner operators today, we never have engine, transmission or driveline failures. These trucks are tough – just go to a truck pull at any county fair and look at the abuse today’s trucks can handle. Forget about the torque rating of your transmission, you have probably never ruined a transmission in your life and you never will, regardless of the power potential of the engine. Now, some company drivers could, however they don’t own the truck and really don’t care about it. You are different – you own it and have to fix it – and your brain goes through your wallet first, then to your right foot when pressing the throttle. Drive by the turbo boost gauge and pyrometer and don’t lug it on hard pulls, and you will never have a problem.
On a completely different note, I would like to mention a very unique Biker’s Church in Murrysville, PA just behind Dick’s Diner on Rt. 22 east of exit 57 off the Pennsylvania Turnpike. About 33% of this cool congregation ride motorcycles, and every spring over 10,000 riders come for the annual “Blessing of the Bikes” service. The minister is Daniel Lawrence, better known as Preacher Dan, and just in case you’re wondering, yes, he rides a Harley. This guy can preach for 45 minutes without any notes and he will keep your attention. He can take a simple verse from the Bible and translate it into today’s speech so we can understand it. I love this church, but it’s an hour from my home so I don’t get there as often as I would like. The reason I’m mentioning this here is because Rt. 22 is heavily traveled by trucks, and there is plenty of parking at Dick’s Diner. If you can spare some time on a Sunday morning and happen to be in the area, I urge you to stop at the Murrysville Alliance Church for some worship – you will feel better about your life, at least for the rest of the day.
The Annual Owner-Operator Snowmobile Conference will be held this year on February 27 through March 1 in Grand Lake, CO. Now is the time to start making your plans. We will be staying at the Gateway Inn in Grand Lake, and there will be plenty of big rig parking, so if you want to bring your snowmobile in your truck, we can accommodate you. We will help you unload your sled and that will be your transportation for the next three days (or as long as you want to stay). Grand Lake is a snowmobile town – they leave plenty of snow on the streets for snowmobiles. Check out the Gateway Inn (www.gatewayinn.com) online and you will love what you see. Even if you don’t have a snowmobile, there are plenty of rentals available (www.grandadventures.com) for about $170/day and 150 miles of groomed trails (and some wild stuff, too).
The town of Grand Lake is a neat little five-block-long western town complete with wooden sidewalks, plenty of restaurants, gas stations, bars and shopping. The cost of the rooms start at $85 per night and increase from there, depending on how many people you want to put in a room. This is a log cabin-style motel with all log furniture and a beautiful bar area for us to meet in after a good day’s ride to compare stories and talk about trucks. When you call the motel or call to reserve a sled, be sure to tell them that you are with the Owner-Operator Snowmobile Conference. There are only 30 rooms at the Gateway Inn, so don’t wait too long to book yours (I have the entire inn on hold for us but the rooms will fill up fast). Plan to arrive on February the 26th and to begin riding on the next day. We hope to see many of you there!
If you have any performance-related questions, or want to talk about the Snowmobile Conference, please send me an e-mail at bruce@pittsburghpower.com or call me at Pittsburgh Power in Saxonburg, PA at (724) 360-4080.