Changing Cat 330HP to 350HP

[wagonmaster2]

Has anyone actually had a Cat 330 enhanzed to a 350HP? If so did it help improve any performance? What was the cost? My 2004 was purchased in 2/04 and is 330HP, but some later 2004's are rated at 350HP. There must be some simple change on the ECM. Any thoughts?
Wagonmaster2

[wagonmaster2]

Has anyone actually had a Cat 330 enhanzed to a 350HP? If so did it help improve any performance? What was the cost? My 2004 was purchased in 2/04 and is 330HP, but some later 2004's are rated at 350HP. There must be some simple change on the ECM. Any thoughts?
Wagonmaster2

[rebelsbeach]

Not sure of any other parameters but if you were to "chip" it the tranny would be fine...

MH 3000 Specification Sheet

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>SPECIFICATIONS
Motorhome Rating
Gross input power 370 hp
Gross input torque 1200 lb-ft[/list]

[JRP]

wagonmaster,

this subject has been discussed several times on the CAT Owners formum with CAT Rep. The C7 is made to be rated at either 330 or 350 HP with propietary CAT adjustments to their ECM. However, they are always careful to point out its much more complex and expensive than just the ECM changes. they indicate it will likely require cooling system upgrades that drive the cost up into the thousands. when a coach/chasis builder specs a C7 as either 330 or 350, the cooling system is sized accordingly. Also, since there is no increase in the 860 lb torque, its questionable how useable and noticable those extra 20 hp will be. It can be done, it has been done, but most seem to agree its not worth the cost as an after the purchase modification.

Jim

[wagonmaster2]

Thanks JRP - Like you said, guess its not worth the effort. I have to take my coach in to a Cat dealer for some work in the near future and was just checking if this was something to pursue at the same time. I tried several searches on this subject but guess I wasn't using the correct verbage. Thanks again.
Wagonmaster2

[MrTransistor]

Hi wagonmaster2,

330 to 350, 20 HP, 6%, not much of a change. We had the 330HP 3126 CAT in the Journey and at that weight, it was a ˜Hot Rod'. We have the 350 C7 CAT in the Horizon and with the extra weight, it's not the sporty coach the Journey was but it gets on down the road at close to 9 MPG, only slightly less than the Journey. I doubt an authorized CAT dealer would attempt to up-rate any 330 HP 3126 engine to 350 HP. If you have a C7, they may be able to get the factory to issue the authorization.

A factory authorized up-rate may very well cost you the price of lunch (1000 times over) since the factory would want to cover their potential warranty costs assuming that they wouldn't void any remaining warranty as a mater of course. I'll be quite curious to here what your dealer has to say about up-rating.

As far as I know, Freightliner has been using the same radiator for years and has just recently changed from a 1050 square inch to a 1000 square inch core. As you have probably read, several Cummins 400's have been having cooling problems with this radiator. I haven't yet heard of a CAT engine having problems and it's the same radiators for the 330 and the 350.

[Earhartphoto]

I called Johnson Caterpiller in Riverside, Ca. The man told me it would cost about 1,800.00 to add 20 hp and I may not notice any difference.