Truck...yeah?

Kinja'd!!! "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
04/30/2014 at 18:42 • Filed to: truck yeah

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This is weird, so Ram announced that they are putting a 6.4 liter gas engine option in their HD trucks, its a $1500 option...but...it only gets you 27 hp and 29 ft-lbs, on a 7000+ lbs truck.

At first I was thinking, "well maybe the 6.4 is gutsier down low with better torque" nope, both make their torque at ~4000 (the 5.7 is actually a little lower on the revs at 3950)

I don't know, 27/29 hp/ft-lbs isn't nothing, but for $1500? NP or CP?

photo: car and driver


DISCUSSION (14)


Kinja'd!!! For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch
04/30/2014 at 18:44

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For fleets/owners who will use the truck for work, NP. I'm assuming lower output/displacement will mean increased reliability.


Kinja'd!!! lone_liberal > HammerheadFistpunch
04/30/2014 at 18:48

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It's hard to know without seeing the graphs. Peak hp and torque can be similar with the torque curve being different. If the 6.4 has a flatter curve and carries that torque over a wider RPM range then it could be a difference worth paying for. At least to somebody.


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden
04/30/2014 at 18:48

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Is it a good value though? I really can't imagine you would actually feel those extra ponies and frankly, I'm not sure it will be much more reliable either, its not like they dropped the CR way down or something.

I mean were talking about a difference of 7% power for $1500. Seems like even the aftermarket could beat that.


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > lone_liberal
04/30/2014 at 18:50

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I couldn't find that info, at least in my cursory googling. I agree that displacement is usually where its at for HD, but I just can't find the numbers that justify this in my mind.


Kinja'd!!! FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > HammerheadFistpunch
04/30/2014 at 18:52

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The aftermarket could make that power but not reliably. Everything will be considerably less stressed in this engine, especially under load. I think its certainly worth the coin.


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
04/30/2014 at 18:55

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I guess its just me then. It just seems like a lot of money for no proven gains other than 7% more power. I mean, I could get a mild tune and a catback for $1500 and make those numbers pretty easily and reliably on the 5.7 I think.


Kinja'd!!! FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > HammerheadFistpunch
04/30/2014 at 18:59

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Sorry I should have phrased better, a 5.7 can make those number reliably but its not AS reliable as a 6.4 in a HD truck. Just think about how much bigger all the internals would be in the engine vs a 5.7. Large displacement engines with low HP numbers are the key to making a super reliable engine.


Kinja'd!!! crowmolly > lone_liberal
04/30/2014 at 19:00

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Yup. Gotta compare area under the curve. As well as internal components. Hyper vs. forged pistons, better bearings, etc etc.


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
04/30/2014 at 19:06

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"Large displacement engines with low HP numbers are the key to making a super reliable engine."

You know I know it. The bore and stroke are much bigger, but as far as I can work out, its the same block.


Kinja'd!!! FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > HammerheadFistpunch
04/30/2014 at 19:15

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Good point. I'd be curious to know how much they beef up the valve train, crank shaft, and connecting rods. You've officially increased by BS radar on this one. Guess well have to wait and see.


Kinja'd!!! Nibbles > HammerheadFistpunch
04/30/2014 at 20:19

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Chevy, well they have the 5.3, the 6.0 and the 6.2. Ford has their 5.0 and 6.2. Ram? One freakin' V8. How is that supposed to compete when the other guys have two or more?

It won't, that's how. They gotta add another V8 just to keep up with the Joneses. To hell with the fact that they have the only 1/2 on the market with a diesel, they need that V8. Like fuckin' coke to an '80s portfolio manager, they need it. It produces minimal gains over the smaller model? WHO CARES TWO V8S.


Kinja'd!!! Nibbles > HammerheadFistpunch
04/30/2014 at 20:25

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Also, do you have links to this info? I'm too lazy to search, but I know the current 392 puts out 470 hp and 470 tq. That's a bit of a jump from the 5.7, and I'm not sure why they'd be detuning it for a heavy duty application


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > Nibbles
04/30/2014 at 21:17

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410/429 are the published hp/tq numbers for the ram HD


Kinja'd!!! Nibbles > HammerheadFistpunch
05/01/2014 at 09:05

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Wow; that doesn't really make any sense why they'd detune it. It uses the same old 6 speed 66RFE that has been around for a while; I would imagine it could put up with the torque. Though, knowing the Rx's reliability quite well, I could understand why they'd want to minimize the damage.

Reports from owners say it's a tire shredding beast though, with gobs of power. It allegedly feels tons more powerful than the 5.7, and a lot of people are saying Ford's 6.2 doesn't even come close. Guess I'ma have to go out and drive one