V-8

[StuartV]

5.7 in my Rebel with the A8 and 3.90 axles spins the tires if I'm not careful with the gas pedal. Gearing makes a big difference in low-end torque.

Sure, not as torquey as my M6 6.4 Challenger with the same gearing and shorter tires, but I still get 18 mpg overall in the rebel.

Yeah.... it DOES have 395 HP at its peak.

That is not the issue. The issue is that it is gutless in the midrange. Tooling along at any normal road/highway speed and the motor will be turning probably 1600-2100 RPMs or so, depending. Start up any kind of even slight grade. The Hemi will have to downshift because it is just weak in that low and mid range of RPMs.

That is ONE of the reasons I liked my EcoDiesel so much better than the Hemis I had had. The ED couldn't quite hang with the Hemi when both had the pedal on the floor. But, for normal driving - and I think MOST people rarely get their gas pedal all the way to the floor in normal driving - the ED was SO much nicer because it could actually accelerate from steady speed driving without having to downshift. It could be on cruise control going down the road, come to a hill, and pull right up it without having to downshift.

 

[$quirrel]

I have a 2023 e torque 5.7 v8. I was raised in the age of V8's. I drove fast then and still do sometimes and test the limits of the V8. Other than ego and some esoterics I do not understand why people still think that V8 should be produced. Other engines are just as powerful just as quick and obviously they have a need to be produced because it certainly cost more to develop a new engine than to just use what's available ie 5.7 v8. I think too many people live in the past and want other people to live with them. I'm 79 years old and I embrace new things and any new things that I can try. New things may not work all the time but I'm wanting to try. It is impossible to advance without trying new things. The sound of that V8 does not define me. However please be aware I am not emphasis not directing any hatred towards anyone that thinks differently than me.

I think the engine type used would depend on the use or job it has. A 4 or 6 motor can be built to perform well but in truck duty the v8 is just a strong design. The small motor is fine for light load and general use but for heavy use and towing the durability a heavier duty lower end will outlast the performance oriented smaller motors.Just my opinion and observations as I have done auto repair and some custom builds over the years.

 

[John Kloehr]

I think the engine type used would depend on the use or job it has. A 4 or 6 motor can be built to perform well but in truck duty the v8 is just a strong design. The small motor is fine for light load and general use but for heavy use and towing the durability a heavier duty lower end will outlast the performance oriented smaller motors.Just my opinion and observations as I have done auto repair and some custom builds over the years.

Agree in general. Ford did a pretty good job with the turbo 4 cylinder in the Ranger. Recent 3,000 miles towing a 6,500 pound travel trailer (near the limits for that truck) and it did fine. For a trailer twice that weight, the Ranger and its engine are simply outclassed and would be grossly overloaded.

I'm not yet forming an opinion on the Hurricane engine, it had some initial growing pains. I am taking a wait-and-see approach to see if the early problems have been addressed.

A do have a strong bias in favor of the V8s, comes from a lifetime of driving them in most vehicles. Still have a soft spot for the VW 1.8T. A lot of fun in a light car but not 2.0T fast. This all goes directly to what you wrote: "the use or job it has"

 

[BowDown]

Yeah.... it DOES have 395 HP at its peak.

That is not the issue. The issue is that it is gutless in the midrange. Tooling along at any normal road/highway speed and the motor will be turning probably 1600-2100 RPMs or so, depending. Start up any kind of even slight grade. The Hemi will have to downshift because it is just weak in that low and mid range of RPMs.

That is ONE of the reasons I liked my EcoDiesel so much better than the Hemis I had had. The ED couldn't quite hang with the Hemi when both had the pedal on the floor. But, for normal driving - and I think MOST people rarely get their gas pedal all the way to the floor in normal driving - the ED was SO much nicer because it could actually accelerate from steady speed driving without having to downshift. It could be on cruise control going down the road, come to a hill, and pull right up it without having to downshift.

This, 100%

 

[HSKR R/T]

My initial post was my preference of a V8 in a full size truck (gas) over a V6 (gas). Since that riled up a few. I assumed they loved their V6.

They only 6 cylinders I would get in a RAM are the inline 6 options . Either the SO or HO Hurricanenin 1500 or Cummins in the HD Rams. All three more capable than the 5.7 V8

 

[BowDown]

I think the engine type used would depend on the use or job it has. A 4 or 6 motor can be built to perform well but in truck duty the v8 is just a strong design. The small motor is fine for light load and general use but for heavy use and towing the durability a heavier duty lower end will outlast the performance oriented smaller motors.Just my opinion and observations as I have done auto repair and some custom builds over the years.

I disagree because this completely assumes the smaller engine was not designed with its power potential from the onset. There's hurricanes making 1000 fwhp using the same block but different crank and rods. The smaller engine with boost will act like a larger engine and typically outperform it. The 5.7 isnt a HD engine either