Towing Help
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
The Hemi engine, in it's stock form, is not a real efficient tower. In fact, it's really not well suited to be a truck engine, at least not for a heavy truck, like the 2500s or 1500 QC 4x4s. It's actually more suited for the V8 muscle car segment. Don't get me wrong, it's a great engine and I love my truck, but it LOVES mid to high rpm operation and this is where it shines!
If you compare specs, the top end HP exceeds that of the venerable old LA 5.9L engine it replaced by 100+ HP, but Torque numbers are about the same. Not really good advancement in that area, considering the LA's came out in the late '60s.
Of course, it can be modded to be a very efficient tow vehicle. The power is there, just not in the right place out of the factory. Gears would be a big plus, because they allow you to get the rpms up into that higher "sweet spot" much faster. There are also cams available that along with the right custom tune, put a lot of the engines power way down low in the curve, making it a really good tower. The right grind on a cam combined with a tune designed for it can increase torque by upwards of 75 ft/lbs, and hit down low in the rpm range without any other real modifications. Start talking heads, etc. and the numbers start to look almost diesel-like.
Of course, none of this comes cheap. If you want that kind of a tow vehicle, it's probably more economical to buy a CTD...
If you compare specs, the top end HP exceeds that of the venerable old LA 5.9L engine it replaced by 100+ HP, but Torque numbers are about the same. Not really good advancement in that area, considering the LA's came out in the late '60s.
Of course, it can be modded to be a very efficient tow vehicle. The power is there, just not in the right place out of the factory. Gears would be a big plus, because they allow you to get the rpms up into that higher "sweet spot" much faster. There are also cams available that along with the right custom tune, put a lot of the engines power way down low in the curve, making it a really good tower. The right grind on a cam combined with a tune designed for it can increase torque by upwards of 75 ft/lbs, and hit down low in the rpm range without any other real modifications. Start talking heads, etc. and the numbers start to look almost diesel-like.
Of course, none of this comes cheap. If you want that kind of a tow vehicle, it's probably more economical to buy a CTD...
For the time being I'll be satisfied with what I've got...until I can afford the E350 with a quigleys conversion for 4x4 or maybe an Excursion either one is going to be heavily modified for off road use and the ultimate hunting vehicle.
For this truck gears might happen. Thinking of some tires maybe two sizes bigger, mild lift and maybe some 4.30's to keep it rolling decent. With maybe a couple small things that'll probably be the extent of the mods.