I was watching youtube videos last night and was suprised that I seen quite a few mostly stock 318's & 360's in Durangos,Jeeps,Vans & Rams keeping up if not beating the Hemi trucks. This got me thinking that the newer Rams must be either bricks in the wind or heavier trucks because the Hemi has 100hp & like 30-40 more ft lbs of torque than the 360. I also have driven about 4 Hemi trucks before I bought my 97 Ram with a 360 and my friend used to let me barrow his Hemi truck all the time and to be honest once I got my Ram I felt the line was really blurred on what felt faster to me, the Hemi definitely had that "sound" when pounding it.

The new Hemi is a great engine and mean as hell, just wondering why the performance seems to be the same as a 2nd Gen Ram with 100hp less? I seen quarter mile times between ranging between 15.9 and 16.8 for both the Hemi & 360 Rams and so theres obviously some performance overlapping going on.

Anyone know what the weight difference is between a '97 Extended cab 4x4 Sport Ram and 04 Extended Cab 4x4 Hemi truck? I used My truck as an example because it weighs 5300lbs with me in it (I'm 6ft 230 lbs) and a small tool box under the seat with no spare tire on the truck at all.

Why is the Hemi not a standout performer? weight, aerodynamics or crappy gearing?

'12 Regular cab, long bed, 'el-stripo deluxe model has a curb weight of about 4700 lbs. I do believe that is measured with NO fluids in it. So, fairly comparable to the second gens.

Maybe the folks driving the losers just weren't that good.....

I have to agree, without knowing specs I've driven a coworkers 2005 5.7 Hemi with a super cab and it throws you back in the seat. It has no problem breaking the tires loose while already moving. Impressed? Yes I was.

http://dodgeram.info/2004/dimensions.html says 6600lbs for an 04. I'm guessing a 97 is 6-800lbs lighter or so? Couldn't find it with a quick search. I know mine moves OK for what it is but in general its a turd. If you are that worried about how fast your truck is you probably shouldn't be driving one.

I think that is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. I.E. What the MAX weight of the truck AND cargo is. Not the weight of the truck itself.

I'd like to think the Hemi's have a better transmission behind them than the 46 variants, but you gotta wonder how much of that extra 100HP is making it to the rear wheels, same with our trucks, how much of the Hp is making it to the rear wheels.

And the driver plays a big factor too.

D'oh, you're right.

I have a 96' 2500 gasser and put it on the scale right outside of town. I weighed 6200lbs

Mine has tipped the scales at 5800-5900 lbs, cant remember how full the gas tank or the toolbox was

My half ton weighs in at 5600lbs, but that is with quite a few tools and probably a pretty full tank of gas. I was always under the impression 2nd gens where actually heavier, not sure if thats true or not