I know that dodge is planning to use a v6 and v8 diesel for their half ton diesels, but why? Why don't they just use the already proven inline 4 b-series 3.9L or 4.5L cummins It would be perfect for a half ton, except it is a little on the heavy side. When i think about it, it would be a very cool truck. As well, the performance parts should be easy to adapt from the 5.9/6.7, which would make it a very competitive racing truck!

 

Believe to thwart after market engine mods. But yeah, would be a bad little truck.

 

I think its cause the v configuration is smoother and quieter

 

Probably two things: 1) cost, and 2) a 1/2 ton truck doesn't need a heavy duty engine like a Cummins.

 

3) 90% of america still thinks diesels are noisy and slow... It has to have a V8 to go fast you know! lol

 

amen my cousin thinks that his V8 can out run my cummins with a programmer just cause it has two more cylinders my family also jokes that he is half retarded that would explain alot by the way his truck is fully stock. i just laugh and cover him with smoke. man i love doin that!

 

Very likely because the preferred engines you mention wouldn't meet emissions requirements .

 

There are many reasons not to use an inline engine. First, Americans equate the number of cylinders you have with how much power then engine has, they forget that not all cylinders are the same size. Also, they want diesels to drive like gassers because that is what they know and a higher revving short stroke will do that. Then there are the actual engineering hurdles. An inline engine like a 4bt is really tall. If you go to something with more cylinders, they become really long. Not only does it make it hard to fit the engine in the truck, they do not do well in crash ratings because you compromise the crumple zone to fit the engine in there.

I would love to have a 4bt but most people would think it was too "small" and not like the vibration.

 

I've had the same thoughts. However, they would not be able to qualify that motor for 2010 EPA regs. Even if they updated the injection system, the combustion bowls and head design would not cut it.

Agreed!

Tony

 

The little 3.9 couldn't meet the NVH that most customers would want in a 1/2 ton grocery getter. The V engines can easy meet that criteria. And the other is packaging.

I love to see how the real world economy numbers turn out for the V6 Cummins in the Dakota/Durango.

MikeyB

 

An inline-6 has perfect balance. The only other engine configurations with perfect balance are a flat-6 and a 60-degree V12.

The 5.9 is super heavy, and inline-6 engines present packaging problems, especially for the front crumple zone.

A V6 or V8 is much more compact.

 

I think my BS meter just maxed out.

 

Me too. If ever there was an engine with a balance problem it's the V6.

I either fires unevenly and is mechanicaly balanced or it fires evenly and is mechanicaly unbalanced or it has to have a balance shaft. It's only advantage is that it's short.

The only way Dodge will be able to sell diesels in light vehicles is if they seem just the same as gassers, smooth and quiet. There is no way a 4BT would have any apeal to the masses and if it can't have a large folllowing it will be a dud. It's not about pleasing a small core group of diesel enthusiasts, its about being more economical than a gasser with no issues to wonder about like rattling or smoking. It simply has to operate like a gasser AND get better mileage. It's gonna be a hard sell though. It's new design, it's a "smoky, stinky diesel", and it burns fuel that costs a dollar more per gallon. Big problems.

John

 

well have you ever drove a powerstroke...i got a first gen and a second gen. the idle clatter is just as loud as my cummins. i think the first gen has more vibrations than my cummins.

 

You can always counter-weight a V6 or v8 crank to smooth it out. How are gas V6's so smooth?

The point is, the general public does not need, nor will they want, a tractor engine in their consumer-oriented truck, suv, or van. It's much easier to meet emissions requirements with a clean sheet design, so it's a good time to invest in a platform flexible enough for future applications.