Mack truck help/ parts/engine.

[Truckie]

I got a question for those who work on Mack trucks and work in the big rig parts department.



1. How much will it cost to get them to open the computer on the truck to change the top speed. Currently I'm driving a 2000, CL700 with a 460hp engine and an 8 speed with deep reduction and it only tops out at 62mph. Im not sure what the gears are but it is hard to run in 8th gear empty or loaded. 8th gear at 62mph is only 1300 rpm, so I know it can be opened up to run a little better, right?



2. The other question is, I don't like the steering wheel that is on the truck. Its to big 20" inch's. With a set back front end and power steering I don't see why it needs such a big wheel. What I want to know is how small of a wheel can I get for the truck and how much will it cost. I would like to get something like a 16 inch wheel.



Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.



MIKE

 

[ThrottleJockey]

You live in Pittsburg?



You NEED to go talk to the MAN. Bruce Mallison. The owner of Diesel Injection of Pittsburg, aka Pittsburg Power.



He favors the Cummins but he has information on Macks that could help you out, too.



Brian

 

[E7mack96]

just have a dealer hook their handheld to it, they'll up the top speed to whatever you want. it is a 5 minute process, in and out. If you frequent a dealer, they'll usually do it for free, otherwise they'll get you for 1/2 to 1 hr. labor.



1300 is in the peak torque range for the 460, but ideally you want to cruise at 1600 rpms +/- 50rpm.



now, if you have the 460xt, it has a higher torque rise and a max torque of 1760 vs. the base 460 of 1560. this occurs at 1700 rpms.



steering wheel, i have no clue.

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by E7mack96

but ideally you want to cruise at 1600 rpms +/- 50rpm.

That seems to be the "sweet spot" for the E-7 engines. I'm generally in the 1500-1650 RPM range with the '95 CH. On my last mileage check, I got 6. 78 MPG. This truck over 750k on it too. Mixture of pulling the grain hopper and 50' pot. Was running 60-65MPH with both.



As E7 said, they can change the limiter with the laptop.



To my knowledge, there aren't smaller steering wheels. IIRC, the old Superliners have even larger ones. Do you not have tilt/telescope wheel on your truck? If not, may be worth the money to swap it over to it. Should be a simple change.

 

[Truckie]

Originally posted by E7mack96



1300 is in the peak torque range for the 460, but ideally you want to cruise at 1600 rpms +/- 50rpm.



now, if you have the 460xt, it has a higher torque rise and a max torque of 1760 vs. the base 460 of 1560. this occurs at 1700 rpms.

I'm not sure as I just started driving Mack's, and Iv only been in the truck for 4 days.

I have noticed that it really comes to life once it hits 1600 rpm

it seems to be between 1600, and 1850 it rocks on power.

In the past I have always had big Cats 425hp and bigger.

It has taken some getting use to the way a Mack operates.

MIKE