Hello everyone. Me and my buddies have gotten in a lot of heaten arguments recently about what would be the differrence in my 5.9 1500 QC Ram. Can someone please specify the specifics between the two? Which is better in the end for my truck? Thanks, you guys seem to know your stuff more than us "kids" lol.

 

First off, I'm a hemi owner, and most people would agree that the 5.9 (360) has been a proven engine in reliability... for its day. If I had to choose between the 2, the Hemi would get my first vote. The additional 85hp (or so) is a big factor for that. The increase in fuel economy and efficiency is also a good benefit.
Big differences? Well the most obvious is that the hemi has 2 spark plugs per cylinder vs 1 on the 5.9. The hemi also has electronic throttle.
Just my $.02

 

The 5.7 Hemi was officially said by Chrysler to be 8-12% more fuel efficient than a Magnum 5.9V8, and I believe that.

Most daily driving is in the 1500-2500 rpm range.
I believe that a 5.7 Hemi makes more torque than a 5.9V8 in this range,
but I am suspicious that the 5-45RFE automatic might 'eat up' some of this extra torque in extra internal friction. If you want to see what I mean go check out the Hypertech rear-wheel dyno graphs for 2003 Rams and compare the 5.7 graph below 2500 rpm to the 5.9 graph.

http://www.hypertech-inc.com/dynodgtrk.html

Just about anything technical you would want to know about a 5.7 would be in the articles in this older post:

https://dodgeforum.com/m_393599/tm.htm

 

Two totally different engines.

 

Thankyou for the input i appreciate it. So basically when it comes down to the final wire the hemi is faster and more fuel effecient. I was just wondering "how much" faster? and HankL i like that point. Made a ton of since to me. Thanks again everyone.

 

I think the Hemi has 100hp more on the 5.9. 5.9l/245hp. The Hemi is a high tech engine with sophisticated engine management. Its like comparing a HD-DVD to a VHS. I have owned Rams in 5.2 and 5.9. They both are good motors but very simple compaired to the Hemi.

 

Not trying to flame or anything like that, but that can be construed as a good OR bad point. It just depends on how you look at it.

You can turn a wrench and fix damn near anything on the 5.9. If it does go south on you in the middle of nowhere, you can generally fix it pretty easy or you can take it to ANY competent wrench and get it fixed. And you can coax a BUNCH of HP out of that 5.9 if you wanted to. But, yes, it is a gas pig. My buddy used to get pissed, because my V10 would get better mileage than his 5.9.

Now, the Hemi and all of it's electronics, drive-by-wire, computer controlled hoopla, is more of a PITA to me. Try bringing that to anything other than a "factory trained tech" (whatever) and get it fixed. True, it makes more power out ofthe box, but with all the electronics it's not quite as easy to modify, if you wanted.

I don't know, I guess I just like things simple and the 5.9 was bulletproof. Old school...yes, but solid.

It's like getting into a pissin' contest about any of the Big 3 diesels. You'll hear all kinds of hootin' and hollerin' about mine is faster, mine is quicker, mine makes more HP. But..........which one spends less time in the shop getting fixed and being out of service? The simplest one, Cummins.

 

another thing no one here touched on. . .the 5.9 is an ironengine and can stand up to overheating better than the hemi which is aluminum.

the 5.9 is a good bit heavier and made good power, the hemi being lighter and haveing lighter internals can make more stock power.

 

Cumminalong has a good point but soon or later we are going to have to embrace technology. Fortunately or unfortunately it is'nt going to go away. "Its like fire,..scary at first but very useful if used correctly."

 

Oh absolutely, I whole heartedly agree with you. I just wish that the technology partwould be be as reliable as the mechanical part. One of the main reasons I bought this truck with the Cummins was the absolute reliabilty of the engine. I've had Ford and Chevy trucks in the past, but could not bring myself to own one of their diesels. All the issues I've had with this truck, that have not been dealership tech induced, have been electrical / sensor / computer / techno crap.

That's one of the reasons I WILL NOT get a truck with the electronic shift on the fly. I have owned 3 trucks with the electronic transfer case and all of them gave me trouble when I actually needed to use it at one point or another. If it's a critical part, it better be something I don't have to worry about some crappy connector or a plastic gears or a vacuum actuator or an electric motor that sees fit to call it quits right then and there.

Even most of the auto tranny's. Take and old C6 or a TH400. Those things could take an insane amount of abuse. The new ones, with all the elctronics, servos, etc., are just a failure waiting to appen. Do I own one? Yes, just because I've gotten lazy and like to enjoy my coffee on the way into work. [:-]

I'm all for the MDS stuff, the cleaner emissions, etc., etc. Just make sure it's as reliable as the equipment that it replaces.

Besides, when all is said and done, it's a truck. It needs to be reliable above all else.