Idaho Guy

So...the conversation of diesel engines recently came up at work. Coworker asked me to rate today's diesel engines. I told him my HEAVILY biased opinion was:

#1: Cummins, of course. Straight 6 is the simplest, most reliable engine on the market. The recent pollution stuff they're strapping to all of today's engines is choking them equally. But look under the hood of "big rig" trucks and I bet you'll see a straight 6 every time. What does that tell you?

#2: Duramax. The engine is pretty good...smooth, good power. But the Allison tranny is TERRIFIC.

#3: Ford. The 6.0 is a notoriously unreliable engine. The newer 6.4 is better...but it's very thirsty.

How'd I do??

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2003 Silver SLT QC, 48RE, Longbed, 11.5" rear end, 3.73 gears, 10-ply 285's (Toyo's), stock wheels, BHAF, Firestone airbags, Torqlift tiedowns, Rancho 9000XL shocks, Hellwig Sway Bar
[Planned mods as $$$ permits: full tranny rebuild with a *REAL* torque convertor, Edge Juice with Attitude]
2009 Arctic Fox 811

youngbiodiesel

I'll have to agree with you. You hit this dead on. Even I'll have to admit that the Cummins is hands down better than the DMAX(And I'm a Chevy guy)

I'd say its a pretty good battle between the DMAX and Cummins. Both are great engines, and the Allison is very nice, but even its not bulletproof. Start adding power and the tranny is the first thing looked at

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1998 Chevy C/3500 Cheyenne
-Jasper 6.5L Turbo Diesel, 4l80e auto, 4X2(sucks), G80 locker, 3"dp, 4" exhaust, A-team Turbo!!

HOHN

Hey, it's your opinion, so who cares if you have it right? By definition, you can't be wrong!

Cummins being best is a FACT, so no need to worry there

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Justin

I like to think I can offer you some points to think about, but I have LITTLE TO NO EXPERIENCE with the vast majority of performance enhancements out there: turbos, fueling boxes, etc. I can comment on how things might be "on paper" but things on paper and in the real world are very different. DO NOT make buying decisions based exclusively on my advice or any internet forum "wisdom". I'll offer you my free advice, and you'll always get your money's worth.

rockcrawler304

I agree that you hit it dead on. If for some crazy reason I was not able to own a Dodge with a Cummins, my second choice would be a Chevy with the Duramax.
I would walk or hitchhike before owning a Ferd though!!

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Tow vehicle...2006 Atlantic blue Mega Cab 2500 4x4 6 spd. 3.73's CTD 325/610.. Silencer Ring gone...Amsoil EAA189 filter... Air Box mod... Quadzilla Max Mileage Module... Fuel Tank Vent Mod... Muffler gone
Member #3 of DTR Megacab Club Join Here
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Towed.. Jeep CJ7, 304 with Holley Fi, T-18 trans, Dana 300 with 4 to 1 gear set, Dana 44 with Detroits F&R, 35x16.5x15 Boggers with MRT bead Locks, and way too much more to list.

96_12V

Pretty much my sediments exactly.

Scary, but my next rig may well be a D/max, with an allison.

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'96 Ram 2500 CTD 12V 5-spd 2WD 353k, Celebrating 2010!
Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by hundreds of engineers that get paid thousands of dollars for something you bought at Pep Boys because your buddy who doesn't have a job told you it was 'better'?!?

CoastalDav

Keep the 96 if you buy the Maxi Pad. Cummins is still rated as a medium duty engine. D-max and Ferd are light duty. Won't ever find a maxi pad or a Ferd in a Class A motorhome.

I get my 96 back when my Son gets tired of it. He's had it now for 10 years.300k on the clock now.

Dave

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2006 Dodge 3500 SLT, Cummins, 48RFE, 3:73's, 70 Gallon Transfer Flow Bed Tank with Trax II Monitor System, Racor Marine Centrifigal Water Seperator/10 Micron Filter in the system. Edge Insight w/pyro, Headache Rack, Turbo Wing, Rhino Bed Linner, Nasta Rails, Recon Lights and Strip Lights, Sirius Sat Radio, Net Weight 7,520 lbs with 34 gallons fuel Tagged at 13,500lbs GVW. Towing 35ft Carriage ,Triple Slide 5fer, GVW 14030.

04 Hemi Durango AWD "Grannys Hemi Kid Getter"

Tate

Seen lots of class A motor homes on Ford chassis with either the 460 or v10.

I like the straight six configurations, look at the big diesel engines, and they are all v-engines. What does that tell you?

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'98 3500 4x2 Quad Cab, 24v, 5 spd, 3.55s, No Plate, 4k GSK, 23° Timing, DDP Comp Injectors, Silver Bullet, Big Stick Cam, FASS, BD Short Shifter, SBC DD, Fluidampr
Alcoa Magnums, GM Brake Cylinders, HID Headlights, DSS

'98 2500 4x4 Reg Cab, 12v, 5 spd, 3.55s, 0 plate, 3k GSK, 15° Timing, SBC DD, F1 370's, 64/71/0.80 Turbo, Fluidampr
Alcoa H2's, Lorado Tonneau Cover, HID Headlights, Espar D5, EMS Hub Conversion

HOHN

Hehe-- this made me chuckle. I remember when my older brother was writing a Senior Term Paper and also used the word "sediments" when he meant "sentiments". Something about seeing this written out cracked me up, while hearing it verbally probably wouldn't garner any attention.

I gave my older bro tons of crap for that honest little mistake. After all, I was a freshman.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Justin

taildragger

Cummins

Ford 7.3

Dmax

Any other engine chunked in a ford

chevy's 6.5td

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1998 12 valve nv4500 4wd quadcab. Bone stock.
timing advanced 9 degrees from 6 to 15

Game counter: 1 boar, 2 sows, largest sow at ~200+lbs

rebal

Well see how well the new Ford 6.7 is?

I think If I had to buy a new truck I would be looking at a Ford 6.7 Because I hate supporting Organized crime (Government Motors) Ford is standing on its own ,and I like that + Ford has way to much at stake after 2 really Bad Engines .I think the 6.7 will be a strong showing. that said I love my Cummins 12V it just Keeps on going and going

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1990 W250 bought new in Nov. 89 performance built 727 and torque converter , high miler 700 k heavly bombed kelderman air ride

2001 2500 HO 6spd 4x4, Engine brake , mad.ecm mach1.6s fass,SBC 4" turbo back exhaust BHAF fluid damper,ARP head studs, DSS, Fast cools.snow w/m, wife says trucks fast enough:( 335 hp/800 tq)

How many of your rights are you willing to give up before you feel totally safe ?Wake Up People vote EVERYONE OF THE BUMS OUT OF OFFICE!

CoastalDav

Them's Gasserrrrsssss. Not oil burners.

Dave

Idaho Guy

Man, I agree with you 1000% regarding your take on GM (gov't motors).

Grit Dog

Here would be my ranking:
5.9 CR cummins
6.7 Cummins (08-09, several friends with NO issues dpf and good mileage)
5.9 12V (But not an option in anything newer)
Dmax LBZ
Dmax LB7
5.9 24V, VP
Dmax LMM
DMax LLY
Ford 7.3 99-03
Ford 7.3 non intercooled
GM 6.5 TD
Ford 6.9
GM 6.2 (run forever, but even less power than the 6.9)
Ford 6.0
Ford 6.4 (only this far down the list due to reeeealy bad fuel mileage)
GM 5.7 (350 conversion, never saw one start in the winter without help, then when it started, made the 6.2 feel like a 5.9HO!)

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'07 Mega, SLT, 5.9, G56, 3.73, 4x4, Bullydog Triple dog, Southbend OFE clutch

MegaWonder

Of the list you provide (great list) , I wonder how many of these engines are from the ground up designed and engineered as "true diesel heavy duty" engines vs an originally gas engineered developed platform than modified or added parts to make into for diesel use? It would be these (if any) "developed from gas engine or roots from gas engine if you will) that I would delete from the list. Just my opinion.

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2007 Dodge Ram 2500 Mega Cab 4X4 with 5.9L Diesel, Flame Red, Laramie, No Mods in S. Jersey

kthiemann

I think you hit the nail on the head, altho I would put the 12v on top of the list....but then again I'm just a little bit biased....LOL

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"Poverty is the worst form of violence."
Mohandas Gandhi


Due to current economic conditions as well as the cost of electricity and gas the light at the end of the tunnel has been shut off.

Please excuse the inconvenience.


Mine:
97 2500 CTD 4x4 4" straight pipe, fuel plate, and a few other minor mods.....

Da Bosses:
2000 Subaru Forester