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Newell Engines - Power to the People
#1

Late 1960's and early 1970's Newell coaches were most commonly powered by Ford industrial gasoline V-8's (391 and 534 cubic inch displacement) although L.K. Newell would use almost any engine a customer preferred, such as the 460 Lincoln and the 440 Chrysler engines.

By the mid to late 1970's Newells were powered by diesel, typically, Caterpillar 3208's, Cummins V555's (Triple Nickels) and naturally aspirated Detroit Diesel 6V92.

By the early 1980's the primary engines were turbocharged Detroit Diesel 6V92T's and the Cummins V903 turbo. In 1985, Newell began offering the Detroit 8V92T and 1988 models were equipped with the DDEC (Detroit Diesel Electronic Control) 8V92T engines. Still, customer preference was supreme and other engines were installed at owner request.

The next big change occurred in the middle of the 1994 model year when Newell began offering the Detroit Series 60. That engine would remain the primary engine for Newell for over 10 years.

In 2004 and 2005, Newell began offering Caterpillar C12 and C13 engines. These were well received and in 2006, the Caterpillar C15 became the 'standard' Newell engine although the Detroit Series 60 was still available at the customers request.

Emission laws and ownership changes started changing the landscape of over the road diesel engines and in 2010, the use of the Caterpillar C15 was discontinued and replaced with the Cummins ISX650. This remains the current powerplant of choice by Newell.

Michael Day
1992 Newell 43.5' #281
NewellOwner.com
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#2

Michael,

Just to add to the timeline....I think that my coach (#653 2003) was the first one with the Cat C-12. According to the guys at Newell and Fabick Cat in Joplin, they had to design a custom plate to hold the pulleys for the serpentine belt. My engine is rated at 505hp.

The C-12 is a fantastic engine and is by all accounts bullet-proof. Cursory research says that most of the C-12s ended up in marine applications where they were rated-up to 600+horsepower. As a side note...the C-12 can be configured with different horsepower ratings...although the changes in horsepower will affect stoplight to stoplight performance, the torque will remain the same at 1540. I think this means that comparable C-12s will climb hills at the same pace.

Cheers,
bill

Bill Johnson
Birmingham, Alabama
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#3

Thanks Bill. I have updated my records accordingly. As is routine for Newell, they must have put the C-12 in your coach and returned to using Detroit Series 60's until they had time to evaluate it. Although there could be some, I don't show any other 2003 models with the C-12.

Michael Day
1992 Newell 43.5' #281
NewellOwner.com
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#4

My coach was built for a Caterpillar sponsored NASCAR sponsored team (Bill Davis Racing). I am pretty sure that a Cat team would want a Cat engine, so they shoehorned it in. Again, I am supposing, but the result was pretty impressive.

Bill Johnson
Birmingham, Alabama
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#5

That could explain the engine change so early. Newell has historically been good about special requests such as a different brand engine. The issue has been complicated the past few years by emission requirements and some engine manufacturers moving out of the over-the-road engine business.

Glad to hear you are pleased with your C-12. I know that coach 714 (a 2004) had the same engine as yours. Yours is one of only a few Newells with the C-12. Coach 723, 742 and 752 (all 2005's) used the C-13 and 728 had a C-15.

Michael Day
1992 Newell 43.5' #281
NewellOwner.com
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#6

Can the coaches with the 8v92 be repowered with a newer engine? Just asking for a friend Wink

--Simon
1993 8v92TA #312
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#7

The issue with repowering is the height of the longer, taller sixes vs the V8's. I am certain it could be done but the cost to reengineer the frame as well as the interior would be non-trivial. When Newell switched over, they went to a walk-in rear closet with a step up to clear the engine.

Michael Day
1992 Newell 43.5' #281
NewellOwner.com
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#8

Since the newer engines are inline 6’s they are longer besides taller which means the radiator moved to the side from the back. Converting is just a matter of money, perhaps lots of it.

Jon Kabbe
1993 coach 337 with Civic towed
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#9

I had no problem fitting a Cummins ISM in my 1986.

Detroit Diesel 8V92T
approx.:
12.1 liter, 736 CID
length: 1219 mm, 48 in
width: 991 mm, 39 in
height: 1321 mm, 52 in
weight: 1086 kg, 2389 lb

Detroit Diesel Series 60
approx:
12.7 liter, 775 CID
length: 56.2 in, 1426 mm
width: 37.5 in, 953 mm
height: 49.6 in, 1259 mm
weight: 1270 kg, 2794 lb


Cummins ISM
approx:
10.8 liter, 661 CID
length: 50.8 in, 1290 mm
width: 38.3 in, 973 mm
height: 45.0 in, 1142 mm
weight: 940kg, 2072 lb

The ISM can produce 500 hp and 1550 lb torque at 1300 rpm. ISM data sheet.

Jon & Chris Everton
1986 40' Dog House #86
450 hp ISM 5 spd ZF Ecomat 2
2004 Range Rover L322 Toad
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#10

If you have deep enough pockets anything is possible. I have a 1987 with a Detroit series 60.              

Johnny
Former   1987 Newell series 60
Former 1986 Newell -92-
Wichita,Ks
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