I don't wanna get lynched for heresy here, but hear me out, and give this some thought...

Regardless of the ongoing confrontations over inline 6's and V8's - we would have to admit (grudgingly perhaps...) that GM and Ford diesels manage to do pretty well in various uses and applications - and the greatest advantage in the Cummins relates to the better materials and over-built construction as compared to the competition...

BUT, what if Cummins applied what has already been proven as to capabilities of the modern computerized V8's, and combined that technology with their own proven ability to build durability and long life into a diesel engine?

Whether we like it or not, EPA and similar agencies continue and WILL continue to force operation of diesels further on up the RPM scale, into areas better handled by V8 engines - and the previous advantages of slower reving, low power torque of the inline engines keeps on eroding as RPM is increased...

Mercedes had pretty decent V8 diesel a few years back - maybe they still do - so what would be YOUR reaction if Cummins DID come out with a quality V8 diesel for use in our trucks?

Think before you type... ;D ;D ;D

 

I share your apprehensions over the computerized aspect - and that was why I selected my '02, when I could have as easily bought an '03 - but obviously, the '02 has its fair share of computerized components as well...

My '91, in its day, had it all over Ford and GM as far as diesels were concerned, but GM and Ford learned their lessons, and Ford's Power Strokes in the later 90's pulled them pretty much even in overall ability - sure, we can add power enhancements - and so can THEY!

We've slowly seen the competition increase their power and torque as they have DEcreased displacement - we can no longer crow or take comfort over the "power advantage" we have with smaller displacement - not much difference between a 6.6, 6.0 and a 5.9...

Shucks, my '91 was governored at 2500 RPM, and saw most of it's operation down well below 2000 RPM even when towing - look where our engines are redlined today, and where most spend their RPM in towing situations under load...

Once you move diesel efficiency up higher in the RPM scale, all the earlier advantages of the old-style inline engines starts to disappear, and THAT, plus the computer aspect is NOT going to go away! IF the 18 wheelers were faced with the same emissions constraints as we are, and were forced to move their operating RPM well up the scale to cope, I wonder how long they would continue with the inline engines?

My early days as a hotrodder saw much the same rivalry between the Ford/GM big sixes and the V8's - but while the sixes were great for low end power, they were no match for the higher reving V8's and there are precious few inline engines involved in any of the popular forms of racing today...

To repeat, Cummin's strong point has been primarily in the quality they build into their engines - and in the past, on the superiority of a long stroke inline, low RPM engine - but most of those advantages are nearing the end of the line as both GM and Ford continue to make MORE horesepower with increasingly SMALLER engine displacements at higher mandated RPM - all thru technology - whether we like it or not...

Would *I* buy a *quality* Cummins V8 diesel?

In a HEARTBEAT - after it has gone thru its teething pains...

 

HMMMmm - the papers pointed to are VERY interesting - and apparently Cummins has been aggressively developing a V8 diesel for some time now...

The sad thing is, projected lifespan on their prototype at 200,000 miles makes it a light duty diesel in the same class as the Ford and GM diesels - and pretty much mirrors their power levels and various other aspects as well...

Not much incentive for a buyer to prefer Cummins version of a V8, other than brand loyalty... My '02 looks more like a long-time keeper all the time... ;D ;D

 

[quote author=cp link=board=8;threadid=18007;start=#msg168728 date=1060137027]
Cummins gave V engines a try. The 903, 555, 265 (there may have been some more) were flops. They would still be making them if they weren't.

If Cummins is going to try it again, let's hope they learned something from their mistakes.
[/quote]

This isn't the '70's - and we're not in Kansas any more Toto!

What didn't work due to design and technology 30 years ago is OLD news - this is a new century, with new technology, guidlines and mandated environmental goals... And as the pointed to Cummins papers eloquently demonstrate, Cummins IS working on a V8 diesel - whether WE think it's doable - or a good idea - or not!

AND you can bet yer sweet bippy they WOULDN'T be spending the $$$ on significant research and development if they didn't have a firm grip on a potential or existing market to USE it in!

 

That, essentially, is exactly what Ford and GM are ALREADY using in their HD trucks - and seemingly, the "new" V8 Cummins is apparently developing falls right into the same category! And THAT is what sorta bothers me in what those Cummins papers present - the engine Cummins seems to be developing SEEMS to be a lower-duty class engine more on a par with what's already on the market from Ford and GM - and what *I* would hope for from them is something BETTER than what is already easily available...

 

The comparison I was intending with Ford and GM V8's is related to the material in the Cummins development paper that stated their engine is in the same general displacement and power rating as the others - but only has a 200,000 mile life expectancy - which puts the Cummins V8 right where the Ford and GM light duty stuff currently is...

Time will tell...