CUMMINS CONVERSION EDUCATION 101

Ok, so you have heard about or seen these so called "Fummins" trucks running around, and obviously it has struck your attention! You start pondering to yourself... "Is it really worth it? Is it even practical? How much would it cost me? What motor best suits me? Which transmission best suits me?" All of these questions may start to add up in your head and start to scare you, but with the right information and some good research, its really not that scary after all! Read on a little here and get a little more than just a crash course in Cummins Conversions!

ENGINES

There are a few different power combinations that you have to choose from, and this will hopefully aid you in choosing your powerplant depending on what you use your truck for, capabilities, targeted power level and many other variables.

12V Cummins (94-98)

Pros-
-Inexpensive upfront cost
-Very simple engine which means less possible things that could go wrong
-Easy and cheap to get decent power out of
-Great Mileage

Cons-
-Noisy
-No "on the fly/push button" adjustability
-Flows less air so its a little harder to get "Big Power" out of

24V Cummins (98.5-02)

Pros-
-Large supply of them
-Good airflow for big power
-Good mileage
-Electronically controlled so it can be programmed
-Pushbutton power adjustability

Cons-
-Noisy
-Poor Injection Pump design which can be a headache

24 Commonrail Cummins (04.5-07

Pros-
-Quiet
-Capable of Very large power
-Flows large amounts of Air
-Great Mileage
-Electronically controlled so it can be programmed
-Smooth Power
-Better overall resale value
-Can still be emissions legal
-Adjustable power levels on the fly

Cons-
-Becoming harder to find with low miles
-More expensive overall conversion

TRANSMISSIONS

When it comes to transmissions, you once again have a handful of choices, depending on what you do and how much you want to spend, first you need to choose automatic or manual. Then it all goes from there! An automatic transmission will generally cost you a few thousand extra, and some added time in the end compared to a manual. The nice thing about a manual is that it will always shift exactly how you want it to, every time, day in and day out. Again, its your choice, just do your research!

Automatic-
If you are absolutely dying to run an automatic in your truck, plan on spending some extra dough to make sure it is done the right way. The best Cummins/auto trans conversion recipe is a 2005ish CR motor, with a Dodge 48RE transmission which is run through the factory computer. There are other options, such as using your Ford 4R100, or 5R110, in conjunction with a standalone controller and adapter plate.

Pros-
-No Billy Big Rigger stereotyping
-No having to shift gears manually
-Easier for stop and go driving styles
-Better suited if you are trying to drag race
-Anyone can drive your truck (If you let other people drive your truck that is!)

Cons-
-More Expensive
-More Time Consuming
-May not always shift the way you want it to
-More possible issues

Manual-
Ah the beauty of a manual! So much simpler, much cheaper, it always shifts just how you want it to, no worrying about wrong shift points, it won't leave you stranded on the side of the road, it will cut out alot of guess work and save you a couple weeks on your total conversion! A manual transmission will just always work. Period.

Pros-
-Much less expensive than an auto
-Always shifts dead on how you want it to
-Nothing to go wrong internally
-Lasts forever, no rebuilds
-Takes abuse or heavy hauling much better

Cons-
-Not always fun to drive in congested stop and go traffic
-Not just anyone can drive it