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403 vs. 415 [message #301904] Thu, 09 June 2016 10:24 Go to next message
jor is currently offline  jor   United States
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Another novice question: I understand GMC went to the 403 when they stopped production on the 455 big block. I have both on my potential buy list. I know the bore and stroke and torque figures are very different between these two engines but is one considered preferable over the other in the 26' GMC motorhome application? I note that many have changed their rear ends from 3.07 to 3.70 so let me stipulate that change in my question. Maybe this is a Ford-Chevy issue with personal preference being the definitive factor? I guess I am asking if one pulls a hill better than the other and if the higher revving small block is noisier or more prone to early death. Thanks.
jor


John O'Reilly 76 Eleganza II (quad bags, disc brakes w/ reaction arm. 3.70 gears, manny trans, headers, Patterson dist.) Tucson, AZ
Re: 403 vs. 415 [message #301905 is a reply to message #301904] Thu, 09 June 2016 11:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lqqkatjon is currently offline  lqqkatjon   United States
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you are going to get all sorts of opinions.

my observation over the years of listening to others, is do not let the engine be the determining factor in what coach you buy. Condition is much more important!






Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
Re: [GMCnet] 403 vs. 415 [message #301906 is a reply to message #301904] Thu, 09 June 2016 11:25 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Both are good durable engines. The 455 is an older design, undersquare, and
more happy at a slightly lower rpm. The 403 is a newer design, oversquare,
and produces its maximum torque and horsepower at a higher rpm. They both
have the same longevity in motorhome use, lots of both engines go way over
100,000 miles in service which is a long way considering the loads and
infrequent use with long storage periods. I would not pull a good running
engine to replace it with the other one. A 403 with 3:70 final drive will
keep up with a 455 with 3:07 on hills with no problems. I would not rule
out either one, condition of the engine being equal. Just my professional
opinion based on many years of working on both engines.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403

On Thu, Jun 9, 2016 at 8:24 AM, John O'Reilly
wrote:

> Another novice question: I understand GMC went to the 403 when they
> stopped production on the 455 big block. I have both on my potential buy
> list. I
> know the bore and stroke and torque figures are very different between
> these two engines but is one considered preferable over the other in the 26'
> GMC motorhome application? I note that many have changed their rear ends
> from 3.07 to 3.70 so let me stipulate that change in my question. Maybe this
> is a Ford-Chevy issue with personal preference being the definitive
> factor? I guess I am asking if one pulls a hill better than the other and
> if the
> higher revving small block is noisier or more prone to early death. Thanks.
> jor
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Re: 403 vs. 415 [message #301908 is a reply to message #301904] Thu, 09 June 2016 11:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
A Hamilto is currently offline  A Hamilto   United States
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Registered: April 2011
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Senior Member
jortucson wrote on Thu, 09 June 2016 10:24
Another novice question: I understand GMC went to the 403 when they stopped production on the 455 big block. I have both on my potential buy list. I know the bore and stroke and torque figures are very different between these two engines but is one considered preferable over the other in the 26' GMC motorhome application? I note that many have changed their rear ends from 3.07 to 3.70 so let me stipulate that change in my question. Maybe this is a Ford-Chevy issue with personal preference being the definitive factor? I guess I am asking if one pulls a hill better than the other and if the higher revving small block is noisier or more prone to early death. Thanks.
jor
General consensus is that the final drive ratio of 3.07 is not high enough for either the 455 or the 403. The power and torque curves put the sweet spot for the 455 at a final drive ratio of about 3.42. Cinnabar sells that. Jim K sells a 3.55. The sweet spot ratio for the 403 is 3.70, available from Jim K.

http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/606

Some quick and dirty math on air/fuel volume per mile says that a cad 500 would be the right match for the 3.07 final drive. If you build a Cad 540 with the right torque curve, you might be able to get a 2.73 final drive to work.
Re: 403 vs. 415 [message #301910 is a reply to message #301904] Thu, 09 June 2016 12:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
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Senior Member
Empirically, the lighter 23' with a 455 and 3.07 gearing pulls hills without a lot of fanfare, but may require you to stuff it in S to keep the engine speed up. If mine falls below about 45 per, I downshift it - this only happens when I have to slow for traffic on the hills I cross. My 26' with 3.7 gearing scoots over them, no downshift required. It also uses substantially more fuel.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] 403 vs. 415 [message #301911 is a reply to message #301904] Thu, 09 June 2016 12:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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Location: Belmont, CA
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John,
From experience from shops like MGM-GMC, Grandview, and Jim Hupy, they will
tell you that the 3.70 will make performance better.
I'm sure we can discuss the longevity issue, but were not turning over that
many RPM and besides , lugging a engine at low rpm has is detrimental
issues.

On Thu, Jun 9, 2016 at 8:24 AM, John O'Reilly
wrote:

> Another novice question: I understand GMC went to the 403 when they
> stopped production on the 455 big block. I have both on my potential buy
> list. I
> know the bore and stroke and torque figures are very different between
> these two engines but is one considered preferable over the other in the 26'
> GMC motorhome application? I note that many have changed their rear ends
> from 3.07 to 3.70 so let me stipulate that change in my question. Maybe this
> is a Ford-Chevy issue with personal preference being the definitive
> factor? I guess I am asking if one pulls a hill better than the other and
> if the
> higher revving small block is noisier or more prone to early death. Thanks.
> jor
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>



--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
Re: [GMCnet] 403 vs. 415 [message #301930 is a reply to message #301911] Thu, 09 June 2016 20:59 Go to previous message
jor is currently offline  jor   United States
Messages: 43
Registered: June 2016
Location: Tucson
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Member
Thanks to all for the input. Sounds like it's all in the gearing. Hope I find one with the final drive upgrade.
jor


John O'Reilly 76 Eleganza II (quad bags, disc brakes w/ reaction arm. 3.70 gears, manny trans, headers, Patterson dist.) Tucson, AZ

[Updated on: Thu, 09 June 2016 21:00]

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