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v8 vs v10 off road

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  #11  
Old 03-28-2014 | 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Thornloe Pride
I've always debated getting a v10 for heavy offroad/towing etc. Its still an idea.. The ridiculous torque allows you to move some big rubber pretty quickly. Also, the 12,500 tow rating is nothing to laugh at either. People always say the only downside is the lack of aftermarket support. Sorry but I just don't see that... Depending how extreme you want to build a v10, you can still build a mild v10 and you honestly don't need more than that. From the research I've done, you can buy CAI, headers, rocker rollers, SCT Tuner, intakes, better exhaust system (they say the stock is restrictive).. I might be forgetting some. What else would you need? These are all the mods I would do if I had the money, some of which I've done to my v8. Keep in mind that modding a v10 with mods such as rocker rollers or headers will cost you more money than to mod a 5.9 v8. Also, mechanical maintenance and repairs are a little bit more money. But don't forget, ridiculous torque and a 12,500lb tow rating.

The first years of the v10 had head problems (I believe cracking issues?) but from my understanding somewhere around 97 they fixed this. You get a D60/D70 combo, 241 transfer case, and a stranger transmission that is only available with the v10 or diesel. (47rh/re) You can also get a 4.10 factory gear ratio but keep in mind you will probably need to upgrade to 4.88 or lower regardless. Not to mention a huge 488. It's honestly hard to beat this for a full size offroader.
Cams, headers, rockers, and other stuff I have seen, but, have never come across intake manifolds. Got a link?
 
  #12  
Old 03-28-2014 | 10:01 AM
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Try to find a late model 2002. And i mean 20002.5 the last models they made.

You will get a 60 without the CAD it's a real big plus IMHO

If you're gonna mod then just get a 5.9. Especially if you're gonna open the engine up and do real mods. If you just wanna drop it in and forget it then get the V10.
 
  #13  
Old 03-28-2014 | 11:38 AM
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Were it me pulling the trigger (all things considered), it would be closer to Ham Bone's position. K.

Either stock V10 4wd (lift suspension and get wheels/tires).
Or mod a 5.9 (which could include up to a stroker)
 

Last edited by tincan57; 03-28-2014 at 11:39 AM. Reason: adder
  #14  
Old 03-28-2014 | 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Thornloe Pride
......... From the research I've done, you can buy CAI, headers, rocker rollers, SCT Tuner, intakes, better exhaust system (they say the stock is restrictive).. .
I've never heard of, or seen an intake for the 488 either, but this is kinda my approach. My headers arrived last week and after the redhead box which is next on the mod list, a fastman and exhaust are on the list for later this year. I don't need anything more than that for what I do with the truck. The sct and gears were a great start and letting the engine breathe should really pay off.
 
  #15  
Old 03-28-2014 | 06:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Jimythefan
I've never heard of, or seen an intake for the 488 either, but this is kinda my approach. My headers arrived last week and after the redhead box which is next on the mod list, a fastman and exhaust are on the list for later this year. I don't need anything more than that for what I do with the truck. The sct and gears were a great start and letting the engine breathe should really pay off.
It's appears technically you are correct about the intake.. However, I've heard a viper intake is almost an exact fit and will fit with a little work and I've also heard you can port and polish these intakes with huge results. I forgot about the fastman.. That's another great mod to do to a v10 I would think. The biggest complaints I have heard with the v10 is air in and air out. Fix these issues and I couldn't even begin to imagine the power.. How do you like the SCT on the v10? I've heard it really wakens up these trucks.
 
  #16  
Old 03-28-2014 | 06:36 PM
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Best single mod I've done.

Removing torque management and moving the lock up speed were great, but the 93 tune with good gas makes me giggle.
 
  #17  
Old 04-14-2014 | 08:47 AM
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Alright, well the rarity of the v10 is probably the only thing thats keeping this debate going for me. But i found a few of them between 8 and 15grand, none older then 01 and none under 100,000mi. So my next ques is a biggin!! If I spent 10-12g on the v10, id have to get the lift, gears and a few other add-ons probably looking at right around 15g. So lets say thats my budget. I just got a 98 1500 with a 318. 173000 but barely any rust for 1000bucks. Figure in about 1500 for the lift, 500 for the gears and the dana 60 up front(thats figuring in the shop for the gear swap, aint looked in to it, dont know if id be comfortable doing it my self). 500 or so for a 360 that needs rebuilt, that leaves me with bout 1150 to play with. So I reckon I could beef it up to the 408 and give it one hell of a rebuild(Also something I wouldnt want to do myself) and still have some money left over to play with. (not to mention no car payment!!!) So as it stands I think I gotta go with the v8. Im looking for around 350-400hp out of the 360, so let me know if im under bidding the rebuild. And please let me know if im missing something or mistaking bout something. This conversation is gonna be the deciding point on weather or not I put money into the body of this truck i just got!! Once again I appreciate all of yalls inputs and advice!

Oh yeah, i almost forgot to ask. What kid of torque can i get from a 360 after mods. I know hp is what, like 500 completely decked out, but cant find the the max torque anywhere? And just out of curiosity, how much more do you get from the 488 after putting a little work into it.
 

Last edited by smoky614; 04-14-2014 at 09:00 AM.
  #18  
Old 04-14-2014 | 09:19 AM
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Very little aftermarket support for the truck V-10. You can find headers, and cams, possibly roller rockers, and I think that's about it. That said, it's a stout motor to begin with.... and with just the few mods mention, you can meet/beat your power goals. What's even better, is that power will actually be in an RPM range that would be usable in a truck.....

The D60's that bolt in to these trucks are all 8 lug. So, if you want to go that route, better get a pair of axles. (V-10 trucks will already have them.....)

To do gears in both axles, (paying someone else to do it...) you are looking at around 1500. (parts and labor.) Doesn't matter which engine is in it, prices are about the same.

408 build will run into the thousands of dollars right quick. And that is just to get the short block assembled.....

The trouble with big horsepower numbers is, you have to be spinning the engine pretty high to get them. At this point, you need to decide just what type of driving you want to do with your truck. If you are doing mostly trails, towing/hauling, you know, "truck stuff", then a high RPM engine is NOT what you want. On the other hand, if you are doing mud runs, then yeah, high RPM would be fine. That kinda reduces its usefulness as a truck though. (and makes using it as a daily driver interesting.....)

Now, if you just did a 'standard' rebuild on the 360, with some 'improvements'.... better cam, better heads, better intake, roller rockers, etc, you could put down some respectable numbers, (but, certainly not 500hp) and have a truck that would be fun to drive, and quite capable of doing whatever truck stuff you wanted.
 
  #19  
Old 04-14-2014 | 02:21 PM
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I don't have much to add as the big guy covered it pretty well.

V10 is a low rever, but oodles of usable TQ down low so it depends on which way you want to go with the truck.
 
  #20  
Old 04-14-2014 | 08:43 PM
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There's a very good feature article on a 95 V10 off road in the April 15 issue of FOURWHEELER magazine on page 46. I'd still lean toward Hey You's and Ham Bone's position for the money and a 360.

If you could pin a V10 down of Jimmythefan's caliber, I'd say you would be into some some serious toy $$$. Not to mention, parts going forward. K
 


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