hey, firstly im new here and planning to buy a 96-00 cummins ram. Id like to know the pros/cons of BOTH the 12 and 24 vlave engines, and pros and cons of the 96 through 00 model years. basically, id like to know what to look out for so i dont end up buying a truck i will kick myself in the *** for buying down the road. I am planning to get the ext/quad cab, 4x4, 5 or 6?? spd manual.

 

12 valve cons - KDP.
24 valve cons- VP44, lift pump, #53 block, KDP, lower fuel economy.
12 valve pros- very reliable, more power potential, computer doesn't run the engine.
24 valve pros- more power by plugging in a box, easier to find Quad Cab, 6 speed available, louder .

 

Is the 24v really louder than the 12v?

 

I would say 12 valve louder especially because injection pump is mechanical

 

The VP44 pump is really loud, you can hear the difference between a 24 valve and a 12 valve across a parking lot. At speed I don't think there's much difference, but at idle the 24 valve trucks are the loudest by far.

 

KDP = ??
#53 block??
VP44??

what do those all mean.....i can decifer some of the letters...i think, but yeah, and in the long run which engine is better, especially at aroung 120,000

 

KDP is the Killer Dowel Pin - run a search on "dowel" and you'll find loads of info. #53 blocks are marked with the number 53 cast on the driver's side. They have a higher than normal failure rate due to cracking. They aren't all destined to crack, Jim Fulmer is making over 800 HP with one and BigBlackDodge has around 350,000 miles on his. VP44 is the model of injection pump used on the 24 valve engines, the 12 valvers use a P7100, 1st gen trucks like mine have a VE.

 

so basically, what youre saying is go with the 12 valve if i have the choice?

 

Well, that depends. Are you buying just for the engine, or are other features important to you? If you have to have a Quad Cab, it is hard to find a 12 valve because they only made them for half of '98. If you want a 6 speed you're getting a 24 valve unless you find one that's been converted or do it yourself. Don't get the idea that 24 valve trucks suck, the large majority are trouble free.

 

"Don't get the idea that 24 valve trucks suck, the large majority are trouble free."

More people have found that it's easier to get big torque out of a 12 V engine...that's not to say that you can't do the same w/ a 24 V engine...it just takes a few more modifications to do the same thing.

But if you're buying a new CTD for towing, it's not gonna matter which engine you get because they're all good. It'll come down to which tranny you want, and the specific problems to look out for w/ the various generations such as the #53 block problem, lift pump problem, etc. Make good use of the search option on this website! There's a ton of great info on here!

 

did they not start making a QC CTD until 98?

 

That's correct. Pre-'98 extended cab trucks only have 2 doors. If you want 4 doors you have to get a '98 or newer.

 

i dont NEED the QC version of the ext, cab....but itd be an added bonus