Calling all ex-powerstroke owners...

[Deezal Man]

As far as break-in. My 98. 5 has close to 30K Miles and is still slightly improving in both fuel mileage and a little bit in power.

Thank goodness people kept telling me its not broke-in... Otherwise I would have sold it shortly after I bought it.

As far as dyno numbers, I don't have any.
As far as MPH up hills, Its now a solid 20MPH faster up the same hill.

I know this doesn't answer your question, but break-in is definitely something to consider. When that actually occurs... . I'm not sure.

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98. 5' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285-75-16's on Alcoa's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk), K&N air filter(For Sale)15 year AMSOIL dealer. Time permitting, Soon to include Ultra-lite Pyro,0-50lbs boost, Trans temp in the pillar. Rancho 9000's with in cab adjustment.

 

[John_P]

jkern:

I believe the article in the magazine
you are referring to was:

The December 2000 issue of "Motor Trend's
"Truck Trend" Magazine. The article
started on page #18 and compared the
new Dodge 6-speed, the Chevy Duramax(Allison)
and the Ford PSD with the 6-speed.

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Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Major Pump Mods(By "Scheid Diesel") 370 Diamond B Injectors, Gov. Spring kit, AFC Spring kit, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit,Psychotty Air Filter, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, BD Pressure Loc, Isspro Gauges, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

[RobbyRam]

Our company used to be exclusively Dodge Diesel. Now we only have 3 Ram diesels left, including mine, the other five division heads have gone to Ford PSD's. They are quieter, have more power, and less trips to the dealer. I like my RAM but if my next upgrade to DD2's doesn't improve the power, I'm going to follow the bosses of our company with a new PSD.

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Bob in Sacramento, Y2K Black 3500 ISB 4x4 4:10 LSD,Auto,QC,SLT Laramie, Slightly BOMBED LB, Polished Stull Billet Grill & Fog inserts, Chrome Smitty-Built Step Rails, Mopar Chrome-Tipped Mud Flaps, A-Pillar mounted West-Tach Turbo/Pyro/Trans Temp gauges,Rancho 9000's set at '1',Diamond Plated Tool Box, OEM U. R. Bedliner + other stuff.
Fact:The First Fords' had 'DODGE' Engines! The new PSD's need them!

 

[WOWZY]

Bull I was able to shave 2 full seconds off my 0-60 time from when it was stock to 9000miles (before I got the HotPE). I have 14,000 miles on it now and it keeps getting stronger and fuel mileage keeps increasing.

Give it time

Love my Cummins more and more everyday!!

 

[Paul Somers]

September of 1999 I ordered a PSD. After waiting six months I got frustrated and bought a Ram off the lot. Have wished at times I had been more patient. Bombing a Cummins to be equal to a PSD is silly. Why should you have to. In my camping club there are two 12V my 24V two Ford v-10's and four PSD's. I have followed or been followed by most of them. There are only two areas that Cummins comes out on top. MPG I think I am slightly ahead. The one big area is serviceability. I do my own maintainance and the PSD looks like a night mare.

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Northport,AL. 1999 2500 quad cab, driftwood, 5 speed ISB. Boost and Pyro gauges. Line-x.
Amateur extra W4XH

 

[JyRO]

I'll have to agree with the, "there's no substitute for cubes," theory. I'm not ashamed to admit that my 5. 9L is smaller than a PSD. Nor am I ashamed to admit I'd get out-pulled by a PSD. What I'd be ashamed about is if I had such a lacking of self esteem/self confidence in my decision to buy a DC that I had to throw money at modifications just to try to keep up with the competition. Because, Lord forbid, a Ford or Chevy can go a couple mph faster than I can. Wooooo... . I'd just cry, cry, cry, like a little whiney girl, if I got passed.

"Awwww Boooo Hoooo JyRO, you hurt my little feelings!" Get over it! Wooo Hooo, ain't this fun!

I see a trend here by many TDR members (not all) whether anybody wants to admit it or not. Goes something like this: "My ISB wouldn't outpull a PSD (and soon it will be PSD and/or Duramax) so I "bombed" it. Now its better than a PSD/Duramax. " But in this case I don't think better is correct.

I don't know why it just can't be accepted that the PSD and Duramax have more displacement, more pistons, more HP, and more torque from the factory. So what! They also use more fuel, cost more, are a lot more complicated, and will not outlast an ISB. And in my mind, those characteristics are what makes the ISB the better choice.

"But the Powerchoke and Duracrap aren't real diesels..... they're V8's. " I disagree with that one also. I think if it follows the laws of the Diesel cycle, and uses diesel fuel and no spark plugs, its truelly a diesel. Who cares if its a Vanything. Heck, a Wankel could be made a diesel, and it would still be a diesel.

All of that was to say that I think the ISB is truelly superior, whether or not it makes more power/torque in stock configuration.

But, I guess, if you can afford to keep trading up and re-bombing every couple of years, then fuel cost, longevity, serviceability, complexity, and cost are not an issue with you, maybe the issue is... . well I shouldn't mention some possibilities..... and maybe I don't have the 1st clue... ... maybe you just like a new truck. Whatever, it's none of my bid-ness.

- JyRO

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Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 LSD, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock engine, silencer ring removed, "stealth," mod to run fogs with high beam. Since everybody else listed their toys, I will too.
1995 Kawasaki ZX6-R (For Sale)
1990 Toyota Celica
1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL (For sale)

 

[DaveO]

ol ron,

That is exactly my point. The gear ratio acts as the multiplier, so the 3. 55 ratio doesn't "pull" as hard as the 4. 10's.

Guess I didn't explain it correctly... . we have to calculate gear ratios on the dyno work all the time(our software doesn't correct for it). We are on the same track.

Dave

 

[bud kohn]

i'm not a b. o. m. b. er
98 3500 x cab 4x4 3:55 auto ram stock
vs
99 350 duelly crew 4x4 3:73 auto stock
ford out pulls dodge no questions asked for 12000#!!!
i got them both... . dodge is built better, runs better gets 3-4 mpg better empty, looks better, nicer interior, sounds better, better ride? less rattles, less squeeks , front end dosent chew up tires, dealer is better.
my dodge always is gone first, unless family goes then we go in the ford.
ford has nicer radio, better heat/ac, better mirrors, better brake feel, love the crew cab, hate small filler tube.
who cares how long the motor lasts? never seen either worn out when taken care of. Both have stories of 500,000+ miles on the motor. i 'll never own them past 150,000
sorry to tdr members there is no replacement for displacement!
cummings rule!!!!!

 

[joesoot]

The replacement for displacement is called boost.
I see nothing wrong w/ BOMBing, if you can afford to. Which I can't, carrying aroung this heavy payment.
As for the gear ratio debate ensuing, the old 1990 CTD(slightly bombed)w/ 4. 10s I used to have would blow me off the line in my ETH w/ 3. 55s anyday(empty), 75mph and up is another story.
Who cares who can pull #10K 1. 5 seconds faster to 60 mph? If that's all the difference for having 85 or 44 more CID and 2 more cylinders , i'll take the 359 to the 444 or 403 anyday; being 1. 5 seconds slower to 60mph isn't gonna kill me or ruin my ego. The best part is, I get to pass them while they stop for fuel.
If all these BOMBers didn't exist, I think this "torque war" would be kinda stagnant.
So take this as my thank you to all the BOMBers without whose R&D we'd all still be driving 160/400s & 175/420s ,7. 3IDIs and even gassers. Competition improves the breed. It's part of human spirit and nature to be competitive; an evolution, so-to-speak.
Besides, I don't think anyone would deny to themselves the "special feeling" they get from being sucked back in the seat during a good romp on the loud pedal whether it be in a CTD or PSD or even a muscle car . . etc, etc.
Be proud of your ride and most of all have fun with it.

 

[JyRO]

Joesoot - I agree with you 99. 9%! Except still if an engine with larger displacement can achieve the same amount of boost as our 5. 9L, the bigger one will still outgun us. But I'm quibbling, so ignore me.

Your post is, "Right on!" Let's pass 'em at the fuel station while they're emptying their wallets!

- JyRO

[This message has been edited by JyRO (edited 02-28-2001). ]

 

[LSMITH]

Wiz1, BadArse, and Bud Kohn, good posts guys. I have never pulled anything with a PSD but I have driven the auto and 6 speeds. They run well, although I think their auto is as bad as the Dodge auto. The point a few guys have made about gear ratio being a huge factor is right on. With about the same power rating (you will likely find the difference between the two in manufacturing tolerances) the 3. 73 or 4. 10 truck is going to outpull the 3. 5 truck everytime. One other thing I have noticed is that every new 24v Cummins Ram I have test driven is an absolute pig while the ones with over 30K on them run very well. It seems to me that the Cummins really needs a break-in to run well. My current truck had gotten more power and fuel economy up to about 40K miles, but I do not tow often. Buy what you want and drive it. If you do not like it, get rid of it and get something else.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member