My "Powerstroke" experience

[E7mack96]

Well, I did a Test run with a powerstroke last nite. I had 4,500 lbs on truck and took it to Michigan. The trip was 600 miles round trip. I only got 12. 5 miles per gallon. This absoultely sucks. The same load in my 2001 Ram will get 20 mpg. both trucks were driven at 55 mph all the way. loaded up, empty back. The ram weighs 8,200 with me in it. The power stroke weighs 8,900 with me in it. The powerstroke, when empty, felt stronger then the cummins, though. Are there different hp ratings for the powerstroke?



Why does the powerstroke eat so much more fuel? I am going to have to tell the salesman that I will have to pass up the powerstroke.

 

[DavidC]

It takes a lot of energy to keep STROKIN!! . I drive a 92 12 valve Cummins at work and it was in the shop for brakes. They loaned me a F550 powerstroke in the mean time. Unlike your experience with more power this Ford was the most gutless, Diesel eating thing I ever drove next to a gasser. When the company first started buying these powerstrokes I did not own a cummins personally, only drove the 12 valve that was assigned to me. I asked the mechanics how these fords were holding up.

The reply was "great" their always in the garage. They keep records on each individual truck and was told that they have not had one last more than 250,000 miles before it was worn out. Now I am not sure that this is caused mostly from these things being used commercially (heavy usage) or not. What I do know is that the old 92 12 valve has had brake problems, fluid services, and a torn up flex plate, It has never been in for an engine problem now at 150,000 miles and still gets great mileage compared to the Powerstrokes. Now this is just an objective opinion from the drivers seat of what I have seen happening for the last few years (1999 to present).

 

[LSMITH]

You are feeding another 80 cubic inches or so in the PSD. That takes fuel. I would guess that the gearing is a little lower in the PSD too, causing you to rev more. A PSD will not get the empty economy that a Cummins will IMO.

 

[E7mack96]

gears

the POS had a 4. 11 gear set. I have a 3. 54 in the ram

 

[drees1]

The Cummins will always be the mileage champ. It is the smaller engine, plain and simple. The power stroke should have done a little better, though. Maybe it is tough to get the tanks topped perfectly over only 600 miles.



the new 32 valve 6. 0 liter will be a formidable competitor, especially in racing where quick reving v8 will be an advantage. It looks like it will pull right beside us too. But, our beloved engine is built much heavier, and, down the road, it will still be pulling and going without a wimper. Put the new guys in hotshot service and call me in 4 years!

 

[TxDieselKid]

Originally posted by drees1

The Cummins will always be the mileage champ

Actually we got a Power Stroke at the shop that can get about 27mpg empty on the highway.



And yes, it will still run the 1/4 in under 14 seconds.

 

[drees1]

What are the details of this 27mpg truck? Which engine, new 6. 0? Gearing, Transmission, style of truck etc. Over how many miles was the mileage figured? It sounds a little high.

 

[Swayse]

26 mpg on a Dmax

Filled it up, drove 60 miles, and filled it up again, yep 26 mpg on a 4x4 Dmax. I get around 13 to 14 running around the farm. Took a trip to San Antonio, cruising at 85 mph and got 14. 4 mpg. So, can I still tell everybody that I get 26 mpg?

 

[fj40charles]

TDK,



I didn't know you were affliated with diesel innovations. What is up with that Andrew?



Charles

 

[TxDieselKid]

Originally posted by drees1

What are the details of this 27mpg truck?

2001, 2x4, huge showerhead injectors, van turbo, custom program chip, gearing was 3. 73 i think, fuel regulator bypass kit, and LOTS more. It was a couple of months ago, and was figured by hand. I didn't work there then, but if you call the shop, David can explain it to you, I'm just the Dodge guy.



Charles,

Yes I am also working at Diesel Innovations now, and am kinda concidered their "Dodge Guy", scary huh? They have been working on Dodges for a while, just somethings they need a little polishing on. READ THIS THREAD for more information.



Andrew

 

[fj40charles]

Thanks for the reply. I read the other thread and I still think you're a VIRGIN. . You still have not connected the little pump wire...



Charles

 

[rob10858]

well, let's make it plain and simple. no matter what ford does with the psd, and we own three of them, they will never out perform our ctd's on fuel mileage when towing. it's easy to manipulate mileage reports on ANY engine, but the long run results are what makes a buyer [that's me] decide the final purchase. my best buddy is a fleet salesman for ford, and is constantly on me to look at the "new improved psd", if they were so great to begin with, why improve? The same can be held true for the ctd, but not in the same context. the changes over the years, including the new 2003 version have been made out of gov emission regs and the competiton for "4 real doors" the engine remains the same, just like the international, but i've always thought that the ctd was the true diesel in the pickup truck market, and still do. when you get your psd up to the consistant, non-aftermarket, efficiency of the cummins give me a shout {i'll leave the e-mail open for this one}