WIcowgirl

I'm new on this forum. We're looking at a 2004 2500HD diesel dodge. The VIN # says it is a 5.9L 359/CID. Is this the HO engine? What's the difference between the 2? Is one better than the other? It will be used to pull horses.

Thanks for any advice you can give me!!

Roperteacher

One is an SO ( Standard output) the other is the HO ( High Output). Look on the valve cover. The rated horse power for the HO is 610. I think it says 325/610. The other one is lower. The SO will get slightly better mileage, will not turn the oil pitch black 5 minutes after you change it like the HO will. But I too pull horses and went with the HO. Hope that helps!

1-2-3

rated horse power for the HO is 610

That's the rated torque. 325 is the HP. July 1, a catalytic converter was added making a 2004.5 year model. 2004 had two motor options, SO and HO. Not much difference between them. About 10 HP. I have the 04.0 and prefer that due to no required cat. Lets me have 4" strait pipe all the way with no interruptions. You won't notice 10 hp.

BLACKBEAR

One is 305 the other is 325 the 04.5 is the 325. Both are very good.

rufushusky

Depending on were you are, you could have one of three different flavors of cummins:


"2004" engines
SO: 250/460
HO: 305/555

"2004.5" engine
325/600

The 2004.5 engines have different injector nozzles, a larger compressor on the He351 vs. He341, a third injection event, a cat and a full 4" TBE from the factory...along with some other changes. Any one of these engines are great. The 04.5+ make more power out of the gate and have an easier time hitting 500rwhp while the 04 engines get better fuel economy. Look on the valve cover, it will tell you the rated horsepower. Or if you truck was built after Jan 4th, 2004 it is an 04.5.

elirandolph

Ding ding ding. exactly right!

labreck

I've been told that the 250 hp motors were mostly sold in california. But I'm not sure.

rufushusky

No you can find them all over the place. The 235hp engines were CA and New England specials.

BLACKBEAR

------- The 250 is a CAL. eng it had to meet CAL smoge reg.

BLACKBEAR

---------250 was a CA and a New England. I saw she was from WI so I figured it was eather a 305 or 325.

rufushusky

In 2003 Cummins offered a 235 engine for California. The 250hp engines were available in 49 states.

In 2004 with the arrival of the 48re behind the HO engines(actually started in 2003.5) the "SO" was dropped, so your right she either has a 305 or 325, but the 250 was not the Cali special...the 235 engine was.

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/d...ine_specs.html