I noticed some people and different websites mentioning several different Horsepower ratings 235,245 & 250 hp and to my knowledge they're all the same engine specs...is it just the computer that makes up for the difference in power? or are there different mechanical parts in the HO version?

Also heard about a 360/5.9 Magnum H.O...never heard of that until recently!

 

This might be useful: http://dodgeram.org/tech/gas/specs/index.html

There's no high output version of 94-02 magnum engines. Only the 01.5-02 24v cummins with the nv5600 manual transmissions were labeled "High Output"

 

Oh...and the reason it's labeled High Output is because it has more HP and TQ (obviously...) due to things like enhanced injection, better controlled computer programming, and I'm sure there's some difference as far as SO vs HO engine specs go.

 

Never been sure of the differences, but I have seen the different ratings as well. One thing is for sure... if a website tells you the "Sport" model had more HP, do not believe another word that site tells you. The Sport was an appearance package only, but many supposed "authorities" report it to be a slightly higher powered unit when it is not.

I have seen the 235 HP and 245 HP ratings most often, usually the 245. The 250, when it appears, is usually for the last few years (2000 or 2001). This is also when Chrysler changed the exhaust system for the Ram 1500s (rather well undocumented change), check out the FAQ section for the change they did. This change is what I believe may, maybe, have accounted for 5 more HP at the crank. Regardless, 5 more HP doesn't really matter to these 5000-5500 lb beasts.

Only if it was a custom job, prototype, or offered in some rare trim level of another Chrysler line. There was not any production 5.9L H.O. engines ever offered in any of the Ram 1500s. There was a 4.7L Magnum V8 and 4.7L H.O. Magnum V8 offered in the Jeeps and Dakotas, which may be where someone was getting the "H.O." from and passing you the wrong info.

 

The reason you never wouldve heard of one untill recently is that chrysler never put a 360 magnum H.O in a PRODUCTION vehicle. Their mopar performance division however does offer (and still develops) 360 magnum H.O's also where you might be seeing different power ratings. Eg. the '99 rango SLT+ W/ 5.9L made 245 horse and was an iron headed block, later the R/T models (mines an '02) made 250 at the crank and had much much more potential thanks to their higher compression aluminum heads, (careful, they often crack if you blow a head gasket, not a nice side effect) meanwhile their H.O motors are essentially an upgraded version of the stock 360 magnum R/T headed engine, single plane intake, more aggressive cam, better internals with a higher compression, upgraded springs, lifters, valves, ect. a while ago the H.O they offered made a solid 380 at the crank, and was basically them truly bringing back that classic LA360, which as of a few years ago theyve built higher still and now pushes 405 at the crank according to mopar. Plan on dropping one of the new 405 horse beasts into my 'Rango, and a procharger D-1SC down the road. Exhausts are already planned out with a custom side pipe setup in the works atm.
Hope this helps at all, and long live the magnum, the last REAL classic american pushrod V8.