No one claimed it's the same as bolting on a turbo to a civic. I'm saying, despite all the "modern" turbo engines and the power they make, not one of them is used in a truck that works hard, and the reason for that should be quite clear.
It wouldn't surprise me if in a number of years regulation absolutely forces turbos into a heavy duty. But when you look in the past and current age, where auto makers still have a choice, they're choosing big v8's over turbos for a reason.
Edit: I'm just going to exit this thread because I think I've said everything I can to explain my opinion. Not trying to put down anyone else's preference, this is simply mine based on facts as I see them.
Hey sorry man, I didn’t mean to go overboard a bit there. I am enjoying the discussion and don’t want to drive anyone off!
When I said the thinking was archaic, rest assured I’m including my own thinking. I was very opposed to the turbo six in 2015. Wanted to try the aluminum f150, and living at elevation in Colorado all dealers carried was the EcoBoost. I fought it a long time but finally took the leap on a smoking deal. That led to even more research, community involvement, and of course 7 years of ownership.
To say my mind was changed would be an understatement. For putting in work, these turbo gas engines are unbelievable. For getting good mpg, sounding cool, having character, or being easy to work on they are far from the mark.
But I’m not building houses anymore, so my truck needs are as a toy and family hauler. I’d like the character of a v8 and would like to hold onto it long term - simplicity (as simple as modern engines get anyway).
But I’ll point out I don’t mean to conflate complexity and unreliability. I don’t think these turbo motors have any more issues than the next. It’s just that when they do… look out. It’s all gotta come out.
But I digress…
I think you raise a fair point about the HDs. Why wouldn’t they use one of these gas turbo jobs they already have?
I’ve long wondered myself what an eco boost would work like in a super duty. Heat is the biggest issue with boost, and it’s not managed well in the half tons. But an HDs cooling stack could be interesting! Especially commercially, a lot of HDs need the payload but not so much the towing. Most of the trades bring everything they got everywhere they go.
In any case my guesses as to why we don’t see them in the HDs:
1) Complexity - the only on-paper benefit to the turbo small gas engine is gaming the EPA numbers. And I emphasize gaming. As long as HDs aren’t beholden to that, no need to add complexity.
2) Fleet managers - no manufacture would risk the fleet business by going first with this approach. Real or perceived, it’s too complex. And over time, if not already, it will be clear as day that turbo small gas engines actually get worse mpg than big v8s under load like towing. But they are great for high idle applications.
3) Consumer perception - I’d wager more people share your viewpoint than mine. Doubly so for the traditional HD buyer who’s choosing gas because they’re already leery of the complex diesel.
4) Gas engine innovation still brings dollars. See the spike when ram replaced the 5.7 with the 6.4, and for ford when the 7.3 Godzilla came out. Against the data, GM 6.6 sales seem level with the prior 6.0(???).
