Cummins vs. Durastrokers

[sparks57]

I, like most of you, like to run my mouth off about how much better the cummins is over all the others...



BUT...



I don't really know why! I know the cummins lasts longer, is cheaper to maintain and all that...



BUT...



Why? I can always run my mouth off until I get to someone who is a durastroker guru who "knows" a lot of technical details.



So how about we start a discussion of WHY the cummins is better, on a technical and economic basis, not just emotional or opinionated responses.



This should be interesting.



Thanks guys.

 

[rbattelle]

Personally, simplicity is enough of a reason for me. I saw an interview once with Alander Kalashnikof (sp?), inventor of the AK-47. He quoted some scripture that said, "All that is complex is not useful, and all that is useful is simple". Now that's my kind of philosophy.



On more technical terms, for one thing I would site the larger rod bearing surface area, and larger wrist pin diameter of the Cummins.



Does anyone know if the Cummins uses a bored crankshaft (meaning the center of the crank arms has been bored out)?

 

[HEYBOSS]

Oh... ... ... . Not again:-{}

 

[Steve M]

As for the Powerstork, You can start with the serpentine belt replacement and then the waterpump and everything behind it. Stamped rockers in a HD diesel? Glowplugs in the "latest technology?"... The belt takes about 3 minutes to change on the Cummins. A 6. 0 owner will have to be a contortionist after he cuts the fan shrowd out of the way. The water pump takes two 10mm bolts to remove on the Cummins. Nothing in the way. It's too simple. The 6. 0 will require removing the shrowd, fan, all the bracketry bolted to it, and several band-aids for knuckles.

I don't really care about getting to the top of the hill first. What's the point? What I do care about it "getting there". While the PSD is faster than my SO Cummins, my Cummins and the three before it have all been trouble free. They've all towed my trailers 70mph in O/D with cruise on, and I've not had to replace any glowplugs.

I'm not going to snub the GM D/Allison. They finally got it right. I simply prefer a straight six for simplicity and a much lower price for a very reliable pickup.

Make it reliable first. Then fast.

 

[sparks57]

Originally posted by HEYBOSS

Oh... ... ... . Not again:-{}

But all the debates I have seen are mostly just opinions, not based on technical fact!



I just want to know WHY these things are so much better... I know they are.

 

[78repowerwagon]

For me its 495HP 975FT LBS, 13. 27@103 on # 2 only, 205,000 miles and counting. Completely stock and origional internally, never added any oil. Origional never rebuilt "junky" automatic. Its has been upgraded for my power, but never rebuilt.



Maybe I should start over and list what I have replaced(shorter list)

Tires, brakes, lift pump, tie rod end, front wheel bearings, and the norm(oil,fuel &air filters and gallons of Rotella T)



I have whipped Stangs,Vetts and ricers. Never had a stroke or duradud even come close to hanging on a hill or otherwise for that matter, did I mention 205,000 miles basically trouble free.



Duramax, injector problems and they are expensive and I would not have the Allison if someone gave me one(too busy of a transmission)

Fords where do you start on the trouble prone 6. 0. 7. 3 is HP limited and breaks when the HP limit is pushed.



I might also bring up superior mileage as well.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

One mechanics opinion

I agree with some that the Duramax is a good engine in a attractive package. The Powerstroke will be a good engine in a great truck.



The Cummins is a great engine in a good truck. Why great?



1. It was designed for industrial and agricultural application first, and then adapted for light duty use in our pickups.



2. Why is a industrial engine more desireable? Basic design diffrences. Heavy crankshaft, wider main and rod bearings, more main bearings, stiffer block, wider and longer lasting front gear train, industrial design oil pump, SERVICEABILITY!!!!



3. Torque advantages of the I-6 engine. At least some of us own a diesel pickup because we tow loads with them. The I-6 tends to develope torque at a lower useable rpm. Why is torque at a lower rpm more desireable? Because the diesel engine is more efficent at lower rpms. Why have most of the torque available where you will seldom run the engine?



4. Did I mention simplicity? fewer parts=less friction=more efficency



With my opinion stated I will also say thet very few of us will EVER wear out any of these 3 fine engines in normal everyday driving. Most likley the trucks will fall apart first. Do I like my diesel trucks? Very much so. Would I ever buy a Chevy or Ford? When the Dodge Cummins relationship ends or I stop towing loads in the Mountains of the west. Or when I am rich enough that all of my service and repairs can be done at the dealers shop insted of at home in my own shop.

 

[HEYBOSS]

Originally posted by CB_Parker

But all the debates I have seen are mostly just opinions, not based on technical fact!



I just want to know WHY these things are so much better... I know they are.

Yes I know and you're right. Why are these things much better? For one thing there's only a few real Diesels used in big rigs, Cats, Detroit and Cummins are the most common, you don't see Power chockes or Duramaxes. Keep in mind that Cummins has been around for ages and used on a wide variety on applications from industrial to marine and trucks etc.



I'm no expert, just my 2cts.

 

[torquechop]

I heard why Cummins is better....

I have always wanted a diesel. I even wanted a powerjoke and liked the duramax. but, when I heard a straight piped Cummins I immediatly began looking for one of my own. when I removed the muffler and resonator!! my maniacal laughter was never heard!!

 

[sparks57]

NO KIDDING!!! Oo.



The truck I have is my first truck ever. Before this, I drove my grandma's car around all the time (ICK!).



When I kept getting the car stuck in obscene places and trying to stuff deer in the trunk during the hunting season... my grandparents decided I better look for a truck.



I started looking at trucks... but when I heard this straight piped dodge in town I made my decision right then and there... I needed a diesel and I needed a DODGE.



Then I found out these things are more awesome than I thought.

 

[waterdonkey]

This is from the Cummins site. Wanted to get the % of fewer parts and thought the other info was good too.



Bulletproof Durability and Commercial Quality

The Cummins Turbo Diesel is the latest generation of the legendary B5. 9 engine. The B5. 9 started life as a medium-duty commercial engine and still powers trucks, buses, and industrial equipment around the world. In these working vehicles, engine uptime and durability are essential. For the 2003 Cummins Turbo Diesel, this translates to 350,000 miles average life-to-overhaul. Its simple inline-six design results in 30-40% fewer parts than competitive V-8 diesels for improved reliability.

"All that is complex is not useful, and all that is useful is simple".

I love this quote. So true.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

'78 Squire Wagon? '81 Malibu? '88 LeSabre? '77 Thunderbird?

Originally posted by CB_Parker

The truck I have is my first truck ever. Before this, I drove my grandma's car around all the time.

Scary CB. . . please don't tell us what kind of car it was



Vaughn

 

[sparks57]

Well... it wasn't too bad, it was a dodge at least.



I bet you were thinkin' it was a ricer!



My family has always owned dodges... except now my grandma bought a 2001 Jimmy.



It's not too bad for a GMC, but it's kinda gutless.

 

[Greenleaf]

I 6 Legacy

My brother thinks that power is what pulls trailers, and power is derived from a v8. I asked him how many OTR trucks and farm tractors do you find using the v8. Kinda took the wind out of his sails.



greenleaf

 

[Big Dawg]

I saw a really good-lookin' powerpuke the other day. It was one of the 6. 0's. I mean it was really good-lookin'! Almost as good-lookin' as me... . Almost I said... I also looked under the hood. Man how did they get all that stuff packed in there? There was not one iota of work space in there. I would have thought since it was a truck there would be extra work space in there. NOT!!!! If you haven't seen one under the hood yet... Stop by a Ford dealer and pop the hood.

 

[sparks57]

All the new trucks are bad though... the only dodge made that had a lot of room to work was the ones like mine... the first generation trucks.

 

[Big Dawg]

CB...



That's a nice lookin' truck you've got. I think first generation trucks look great! Definitely classic looking...

 

[sparks57]

Thanks Big Dawg!