As to change over I would have to look up the serial number to know for sure but most of the DDEC II engines you removed all of the electronics and installed the mui set up, i.e. governor, racks and link rods change injector and on these engines I think you need to pull the flywheel housing and remove the off set keys in the cam gears and install the straight up keys. You could then remove the atec set up form the V730 and install the valve body and modulator from yours. These things have the rts radiator and fan set up and I don't know if you could get that in your bus or not, if you could that would help with cooling. This type of change out could cost what a rebuilt 8V71N could run. Just something to think about.
This is exactly what we are thinking over now...
We've gotten a price quote on the 8V71 full rebuild and it is actually a bit better than we were anticipating, but the timing would have us still in Billings long enough that we would mess up our existing plans for July in Oregon. So if we are going to end up taking more time here anyway - why not take this opportunity and repower with a 6V92TA?
I'd love more information about these engines that you know of - feel free to call me at 408-667-9022 or PM or post more info here.
Most of the other bus nuts I've talked to say that the 6V92TA would be a great all around upgrade - more power, much better at altitude, somewhat better fuel economy, more modern engine design, easier to find parts and experienced mechanics, and less susceptible to damage from abuse than an 8V71. Is this all really true? (At least one bus nut has told me the exact opposite on some of these - bus nuts can never all agree!)
Anyway - our decision right now is coming down to doing a full 8V71 overhaul (ending up with a tuned, tested, painted, and warrantied engine), or doing a repower to a 6V92TA.
Wisdom and advice always appreciated.
- Chris