A diesel is fine in cold weather, theres tons of them up here.

 

Don`t worry about the cold weather... My old 12 valve started as far down as -35 without being plugged in. But normally I run the block heater and a 150w stick on silicone heater on the oil pan on a timer for about two or three hours in the morning before I leave. Works so good the manifold heater doesn`t even come on at -10... <- BTW the CTD doesn`t have glow plugs that burn out, but instead a grid heater in the intake manifold.

Also, 300rwhp/700ft-lbs of torque can be made with mostly FREE modifications. My truck put down 422/903 with a slightly larger turbo, bigger injectors, and budget mods... Only thing I didn`t skimp on was my $1300 torque converter because my goal is to get to 750rwhp (though I will need a $600 input shaft soon before I snap my stock one).