I'm finally going to be buying a new truck after 23 years! I've been driving the same 1991 Ford F-150 Lariat 5.0 since I bought it new back then. It's been a very good truck, and I've taken good care of it, but I'm retiring after the first of the year, and I'm going to celebrate it with a new truck for me, and a new car for my wife. She is driving a 1991 Mustang, and is ready for something new as well.


After looking at everything out there, I'm going to go with a Ram 1500 Regular Cab, short bed. I have to limit myself to a 120 inch wheelbase, or I won't be able to fit it into my garage. I see several of the new 5.7 HEMI engines come with either a 6 or a 8 speed automatic. My question is this:


Are ALL 5.7 HEMI's 395 H.P. for 2015?. Or are the ones that come with a 6 speed automatic rated lower? I most definitely want the 395 H.P. engine. My old 5.0 F-150 was always really down on power, and can't get out of it's own way. So you can understand why I want something that can get up and scoot as quickly as possible!

 

I should add that I've been checking dealer inventory on line. The ones I've looked at have been a combination of 2014 and 2015 models. Since I'll be buying in the spring, (around the end of April), I'll most likely be getting a 2015 model for sure. Are the 2014's 6 speed autos, and the 2015's 8 speed, or does Dodge make both for the HEMI Ram trucks? A lot of these vehicle descriptions don't list horsepower either, hence my original question. Thanks in advance.

 

Get the 8 speed. The motors are the same but the 6 speed is only available in the tradesman. The 8 speed gears are better for takeoff and will keep the hemi at the right RPMs for better fuel economy and performance

8-peed gears
4.71 3.14 2.10 1.67 1.29 1.00 0.84 0.67
6 speed gears
3.00 1.67 1.50 1.00 0.75 0.67

 

Looking at the Dodge website i see no mention of different HP outputs on the Hemi's. They all show as 395HP. These trucks have plenty of power. My 11' puts out 390HP and it's like driving a car when it comes to merging on the highway and passing. I have no complaints at all. Other then fuel economy of course. These trucks will get at best mid teens even on the highway.

 

Hell, I'm getting that now in my 1991 5.0, F-150 and it's a dog too boot! I might as well enjoy some good solid performance for the same lousy mileage. Flat out in overdrive I can't bury the needle........ And it only goes to 85!

 

It depends on your highway driving style. I made a trip from Texas to Orlando, FL and back and averaged 22mpg (truck computer). My average highway speeds were around 70mph. On a recent trip from Texas to Oklahoma I averaged 18.8mph and the average speeds were around 77mph plus headwinds each way. Even during my city driving, I am currently averaging 16.7mpg. My truck is a 2wd CC hemi with the 8-speed.

 

I have a 2003 ram, regular cab, short bed, hemi with 3.92 posi rear. Dual exhaust and a K&N fresh air intake, no chip. If I baby it around I can get 18 or 19 on the highway and around 14 in town, now if I start hammering on it mileage go's right out the door. I bought it new and the main reason I haven't bought a new one is because I'd get the same thing and the one I have still looks good and runs great so why.

 

Another thing I was wondering about, from watching some of the Dodge Ram HEMI performance video's on You Tube is, are the new HEMI pickups governed to 105 MPH top end? There is one video posted with a guy using his smart phone GPS on the dash, topping out at 142 MPH. There is another one showing the tach and speedo, and it races up to 105 MPH, then just stops there.


You could clearly see from watching, the truck had a lot more to go by how quickly it pulled right up to 105. Then it just sat there. If these things are governed, how hard is it to bypass it? And if you do does it void the warranty? What have you guys with new Ram HEMI's, (2014 - 2015 models), discovered about this? Inquiring minds want to know.


142 MPH




105 MPH

 

That's fantastic fuel economy for an engine with that much power. What grade fuel do you burn in it?

 

Yes they are governed to 105 mph. Once you drive and figure out the sweet spots in the rpm range you can get very good mileage out of a Hemi.

I have a stock 2009 with the 5 speed and on cross country trips can average 19.3 mpg and that is with some local travel during my 1 to 2 week stays. My EPA originally is 13 city 18 hiway, but the new ones are up to 15 city 22 hiway and if your pedal is not to the floor you should easily be able to achieve that mileage. I personally use 89 octane in mine, it just seems to run better to me.

Get the 8 speed, it is a much better and stronger transmission. The 6 speed transmission is rated about 2 miles less across the board.