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RV Bus differences. Eagle, MCI...

Home > Discussion Forum > Bus Conversions - Intercity

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RV Bus differences. Eagle, MCI... Fred 12-7-04  
Hello,

Wondering if anyone can tell me the major differences between the Eagle versus the MCI buses.

Sort of a summary about their good and bad points and which ones is ultimately better? Or are other makers superior?

If you have links to bus websites, that would be helpful also.

Thankyou so much for your time.
Re: RV Bus differences. Eagle, MCI... Rick 12-8-04  
Fred, there's lots of differences between MCI's and Eagles, but the major ones are: 1. Construction - MCI's are built using mostly aluminum and stainless steel in their skeleton, Eagles are all steel, so they tend to rust more. 2. Suspension - MCI's use airbags (relatively easy to replace, floaty ride), Eagles use the Torsilastic Torsion bar suspension (some feel a superior ride and better handling, but the Torsilastic gets tired & when they run out of adjustment, they are a pain and major $$ to replace). 3. Turning radius - MCI's have their drive axle mounted ahead of the tag (when you turn sharply, the pivot point is the drive axle since it carries more weight). All Eagles except the Model 01 (1960-68) have their drive axle at the rear most position, which makes them have a greater turning radius. 4. Parts - MCI is still in business and while there are plenty of Eagle parts available, they are not as plentyful or reasonably priced as MCI parts, since Eagle has gone out of business (many times). To sum it up, they're both good coaches - and they both have some good and bad engineering. I think a choice may come down to preference on styling and the right deal. (I hope I wasn't too long winded).
Re: RV Bus differences. Eagle, MCI... Fred 12-9-04  
Rick,

Thanks so much for your explanation.

Are other busses better and who are the others?

I've heard of Prevost, VanHool...? How do they compare and contrast to the MCI and Eagle?

Sounds like the MCI might be a better choice between the two if everthing else is equal...?

How about motors? Should any be avoided or are any better?

Is it easy to have a bus worked on and where would a person take one for repair?

Are parts really expensive?

Keep writing if you'd like. I'd like to learn more about getting a bus conversion. Know of the best sites for sales, pictures...?

Thanks.
Re: RV Bus differences. Eagle, MCI... John GIBBINS 12-30-04  
G'day Rick:
You seem to be quite knowledgable and might be able to help me. I have 2 complete L10 cummins 270 HP power packs with voith transmissions and controllers to suit a 102" flxible. The transmissions are an angle drive. What US 96" bus or coach would these "packs" be easily adapted to please? Anyone else have any ideas?
Re: RV Bus differences. Eagle, MCI... Rick 12-11-04  
Hello again Fred! As far as any particular brand being better than another, they all have their strengths and weaknesses. If you're interested primarily in inter-city coaches, the other major brands would be: Prevost - a quality Canadian builder who's still building $$$ coaches, though lots of older shells and coaches are available Very well built. GMC - stopped building inter-city buses in 1980. Lots of them still found, again well built with aluminum and stainless, but use a transverse engine and V drive transmission like a transit bus, most all have 2-cycle Detroit Diesels, though I've seen a Cummins "C" series installed in one as a cleaner "repower". Van Hool, Neoplan, Setra, and Dina are all good European style buses, more modern (more $$ to buy) and not as easy to convert mostly because they are not commonly converted in the US. Motors depend upon how old a coach you are looking for, and how much money you want to spend. For the most part, almost all brands up through the early '90's used the Detroit Diesel 2 cycle "71" or later "92" series engines available in either 6 cylinder (6V) or 8 cylinder (8V) configurations, though as I said, GMC installed them sideways. These are great motors, but they all leak, are noisy and produce copius amounts of smokey emmisions. The later ones are electronically controlled (DDEC) and have particulate filters retro-fitted which help. Parts are plentiful, but they are not modern motors. (Though they're workhorses). The newer coaches offer lots more horsepower from a cleaner package from Cummins, Caterpillar or Detroit Diesel (their 4-cycle "Series 60"), but at big $$. As for repair, expensive is a relative term. There are places that specialize in working on bus conversions, and some RV dealers can repair water, sewage and other RV based systems, but heavy mechanicals would be repaired at a diesel shop or truck or bus repair facility. For Web sites, try searching "MCI bus" or "Eagle bus" & you'll find hundreds. By the way, I'm an Eagle fan because of the styling, ride, and because they're "different". Good luck in your quest!
Mci conversion kurt 3-15-06  
Why do most conversions recommend that the bathroom, luggage racks and windows of the existing bus all be changed? Is it mostly cosmetic or is it essential?

Thanks
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