Fun While It Lasted

Since January collectively we, the Ram Turbo Diesel faithful, have enjoyed being the King of the Hill with the 400hp/1000torque rated Cummins 6.7 CGI engine.

Oops...fun while it lasted.

Read the news:
2020 Ford Super Duty: 475 Horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of Torque.

 

I can’t imagine why one needs that much power anyways regardless of brand.

I just spent the day with my truck climbing the various notch’s in the White Mountains Of New Hampshire with a Lance slide in full of stuff and at no point did I ever feel the need for anymore power..

I don’t care who gets to the top of the hill first, it’s how many times will the vehicle climb the hill without issues that matters to me..

 

On the other hand, my old 2002 Dodge/Cummins, does nearly identical dyno numbers at the REAR WHEELS. Not all that much done for those numbers - and still the lower displacement, NO DEF - plus 27 mpg out on the road empty, 17 mpg towing our 24 ft. 5er...

Not too shabby for a $30K truck thats 17 years old...

Newer is sometimes better - but usually at a fearful price...

If only vast HP/TQ numbers satisfy, spend $15K less, and make a few mods - then, what a surprise to the big buck guys as you blow by them on the grades towing your own load...

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Has anyone noticed in the pic above, how the engine is still quite accessible, and easily serviced or worked on...
= = = = = = = = = =
'02 HO Quad cab 2500 ETH-DEE, 6-speed manual, all extras except leather! Could these be the LAST of the "real diesels" from Dodge/Cummins...?

Edge comp, BHAF, Frantz oil/fuel filters, Don M 1.6 FI injectors, Rip's 4 inch exhaust - pillar mount boost/EGT and fuel pressure - coolant bypass filtration system - Walbro 392GSL fuel pump - DSS stainless intake tube - Amsoil/Donaldson 4510 air cleaner...

 

Gary, what are those silver things by the batteries? Are they the Frantz filters you have in your signature?

 

Gary, what are those silver things by the batteries? Are they the Frantz filters you have in your signature?

YUP - still doing a great job cleaning oil and fuel...

 

None of these numbers matter until you pull heavy up hills. Then the winner emerges.

 

I am with Gary, except that my truck does not look as good as his. I have a 2003 4X4 5.9L HO Cummins Turbo Diesel, 6-Speed Manual with a meager 305 hp and 440 lbs of torque. Soon after I bought this truck, Ford ran a commercial showing their truck out running my model truck in a drag race pulling a 10,000 lb water tank. Chrysler came back with something stronger that would take away Ford's bragging rights. I was happier than a pig in a mud puddle with my truck - so happy I still have it. In the 16 + years that I have had it, I have not found anything that it will not pull, including a 10,000 lb 34 ft Airstream in the mountains. I get 24 mpg in the winder and never less than 20 in the summer when I am not pulling anything. I would not mind seeing Chrysler offer a engine option similar to what I have now. Other than bragging rights why does anyone need an truck that can pull a medium sized semi?

 

I am happy with my 07.5.

 

Bragging rights... It’s all fun and games. Who is bigger who is heavier who is stronger. I just want it to run and Not have to Live in the Dealership service bay.
I was very happy with 160 hp of my 89 Dodge. It did everything I ever asked of it and more. Trucks today if not for traction control most of us would have wrecked our rides the day we attempted to drive them off the dealer’s lot. Call me old but I just want simple and reliable. I have No use for all the power.

 

I love the powerful offerings brought on by the big three "power war" but would also love to see a similar "fuel economy" war among them. Maybe offer a lower displacement, lower power but much simpler, more fuel efficient base engine and transmission.
I have the "derated" engine in my 2018 4500 and it still pulls anything I can hook to it. I would love a cab/chassis truck I could put an enclosed work body on but would never pull with. We have two Mercedes Sprinter 3500 vans with the 3.0 V6 diesel. A similar displacement inline 6 would be perfect for us in a 3500 cab/chassis truck.

 

no big deal.like every other Ford diesel before it,,it will take a **** and turn out to be garbage,nobody beats a Cummins..if you REALLy wanted lots of power AND reliability,,you'd have to go build yourself a P-Pumped 12 valve,,THEN you'd really have the best,

 

50 lb-ft I would really notice in my old VW, 5% more torque and GCWR not so much.

 

That was a good call somebody mentioned, I wish they could improve the fuel economy numbers like they do the HP/TQ. My stock 2018 4th gen gets pathetic mileage.

 

The real trick in diesel power, is maintaining near-max power in heavy towing up a looooong steep grade - power that's only usable in short bursts to avoid excessive coolant temp and EGT is sorta meaningless - wonder if the latest big 3 diesel trucks have that all dialed in...

OTHERWISE, all the power claims might BE just "Fun while it lasted"...

 

KEEP in mind, peak, advertised manufacturer HP and torque specs are NOT with the engine IN the vehicle, OR what's actually delivered to the pavement thru the drive wheels - advertised power is usually with the engine on a test stand, and WITHOUT the cooling fan OR other power equipment, like alternator, A/C and power steering pumps, or the stock vehicle exhaust system - all THOSE, lumped together can EASILY siphon off 15% or more actual, usable HP/torque that THEN must go thru the vehicle transmission and differential(s). In many cases, the buyer is doing good to get 70% of that "advertised" power to the pavement...

A good read on the subject - tho' it's not specifically of diesel truck engines/drivetrains:

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/ccrp-0311-drivetrain-power-loss/

 

Dyno test at May Madness show them making good HP/TQ.

 

Dyno test at May Madness show them making good HP/TQ.

UMMMmmm - define "good"...

 

UMMMmmm - define "good"...

Ask cummins12v98 he was there or go Dyno yours. It is posted somewhere here BTW.

 

Ask cummins12v98 he was there or go Dyno yours. It is posted somewhere here BTW.

WELL, *I* was asking the poster that made the statement here...

'Twould be very interesting to see each of the big 3 diesel truck, absolutely showroom dead stock, dyno figures...

OTHERWISE, it all becomes "he said, she said"...

AND, lest *I* am accused of loose references to my OWN dyno result, here it is:

Add back in a conservative 15% accessory/drivetrain loss, and we have 476 HP, and 1090 ft. lbs flywheel torque...

 

I could be off-base, but was under the impression that the manufacturers had to go from advertising SAE Gross to SAE Net horsepower ratings back in the '70s. This would take accessories into account. Driveline losses would still apply, though.

 

I could be off-base, but was under the impression that the manufacturers had to go from advertising SAE Gross to SAE Net horsepower ratings back in the '70s. This would take accessories into account. Driveline losses would still apply, though.

This might shed some light:
https://www.caranddriver.com/featur...r-horsepower-confusion-and-resolution-column/