If you’re an owner-operator, hearing the word “inframe” is probably enough to strike fear in your heart.
Inframe overhauls are one of the most significant (and expensive!) types of repairs that can be performed on a diesel engine, and they’re not something that you’d ever want to have to deal with. However, if you plan on using your truck for a very long time, then having an inframe done to your Cummins ISX is something that you’ll have to face eventually.
But how much does a Cummins ISX inframe cost? In this article, we’ll do our best to break down the costs of an inframe so that you know what to expect and not get screwed over by the shop.
The Average Cummins ISX Inframe Cost
The answer, unfortunately, is not a simple one. There are a lot of different factors that can affect the cost of an inframe, and there’s no real way to give a definitive answer.
With that said, the average Cummins ISX inframe cost is around $26,000 to $33,000. It really depends on how healthy your Cummins ISX is, and whether you can reuse the injectors, the head, the turbo, etc.
If you have to replace the head, injectors, and turbo, then the inframe will easily go above $38,000.
What’s Included in the Cummins ISX Inframe?
The complete list will vary depending on how tired your Cummins ISX is and what needs to be replaced. In a lot of cases, everything needs to go apart from the head, injectors, and the block.
With that said, here’s a complete list of parts that are recommended to be replaced during an inframe:
- Pistons & rings (mandatory)
- Liners (mandatory)
- Bearings (mandatory)
- Cams
- Oil pump & radiator
- Cams
- Head
- Injectors
- Turbo
- Cooling nozzles
- Filters
- Oil bypass valve
- Water pump
- Thermostat
- Fuel pump
- EGR valve
- Sensors
- Gaskets
Now, you probably won’t have to replace all of these parts. It depends on the state of your engine, what the mechanic recommends, and what you agree on.
We highly recommend having the shop call you in to check and verify which parts you need to replace, in order to avoid misunderstandings. It’s an extremely expensive repair, and you don’t want to end up spending more money than you need to.
How to Save Money on an ISX Inframe
An inframe will cost an arm and a leg, but there are ways to minimize your expenses.
First, call around different shops. Get a few quotes and compare them. Not all shops will charge the same price, so it’s important to do your research.
Second, if the quote exceeds $35,000 – consider getting a remanufactured Cummins ISX. They cost a little bit more, but you will be getting a pretty much new engine, with new gaskets, o-rings, sensors – everything. If the frame on your truck is still solid and you’re planning on keeping it for a long time, then a reman engine will make more sense financially.
Lastly, visit the shop and verify which parts really need to be replaced if possible. Some shops will try to sell you parts that you don’t really need, especially during these economically uncertain times. However, not all shops and mechanics are liars, so keep that in mind.
What’s the Average Cummins ISX Rebuild Time?
Alright, we’ve quickly gone over the average cost of an inframe. But what about the time? How long does it actually take to rebuild a Cummins ISX?
Again, there are a lot of different factors that can affect the rebuild time. But on average, it takes around 50 hours to do a complete ISX inframe, which equates to around 6 days of downtime.
If you’re lucky enough to have a healthy engine and you can reuse some of the parts, then the inframe might only take around 40 hours. That is, if you’re really lucky.
Final Thoughts
If you’re facing an inframe on your Cummins ISX, then we hope that this article was helpful in giving you a better understanding of what you’re up against.
It’s an extremely expensive and time-consuming repair, but it’s something that every owner-operator will have to face eventually. Just make sure that you do your research and get a few quotes before you make any decisions.
But importantly, maintain good communication with your shop or mechanic. This is not a repair that you want to get wrong, so make sure that everyone is on the same page before anything gets started.
Thanks for reading and good luck!
Eddie is the co-founder of CarCareCamp.com, and the site’s primary contributor.
Under his belt, Eddie has a bachelor’s degree in Automotive Electronics Engineering and almost a decade of experience working as a semi-truck technician (specializing in electrics).
