What's new
Ram Heavy Duty Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Any news on a bigger gas engine?

nick112288

New Member
Messages
8
Reaction score
8
Points
3
I know for a while rumors were floating around of a 7+ liter v8 coming out in HD Ram trucks, but that seems to have died off since COVID.

Have there been any new rumors? Ram is middle of the road on HP but lacking severely on TQ.

I do think because of GMs decision to stick with a 6 speed and limit your axles to 3.73s that Ram is beating them, but don't think it holds a candle as is to Ford with the higher HP/TQ and 4.30 axles
 
The ram has the best power plant out of the 3 after driving them all the hemi is leagues ahead of the others... anything bigger in gas engine is silly that ford 7.3 is pig on fuel just buy a diesel if you need more than 6.4L imho

I'm not sure where you get the 7.3 is a pig compared to the 6.4? In fact all I ever hear is how the 6.4 is an absolute hog on gas.

Neither of which really matters because they're gas engines in HD trucks. Mileage is the last thing I'm concerned about.
 
I'm not sure where you get the 7.3 is a pig compared to the 6.4? In fact all I ever hear is how the 6.4 is an absolute hog on gas.

Neither of which really matters because they're gas engines in HD trucks. Mileage is the last thing I'm concerned about.

in comparison the 7.3 is slightly better than the hemi and almost one Liter bigger it averages about 12-13mpg where the hemi averages 16-18mpg.... a simple tune brings the Hemi basically even to the 7.3..... bigger is not always better.... and once again if you need more power than the hemi provides then a diesel just makes more sense expecially considering a diesel gets more than double the life of a gas engine
 
I dont think bigger is direction of the future. I think with all these fancy controls and improvemems in "technology" were nearing the high end of gas engines now. I think they will ring out more power and performance via better engine controls and things like increased transmission features, more of a improving systems than all new and bigger. All the while making it impossible for us to maintain and repair...

Basically if you need more than a hemi buy the cummins
 
Last edited:
Though I enjoy the 6.4L in our truck, it would benefit from a little more power. We know it's possible based upon the changes in the 392 versions in the Challenger/Charger/SRT Jeep combos. I don't mind the 6.4L...but I would be lying if I didn't say I tried to find a reasonably priced F250 Tremor before I went with a Power Wagon.
 
I dont think bigger is direction of the future. I think with all these fancy controls and improvemems in "technology" were nearing the high end of gas engines now. I think they will ring out more power and performance via better engine controls and things like increased transmission features, more of a improving systems than all new and bigger. All the while making it impossible for us to maintain and repair...

Basically if you need more than a hemi buy the cummings
Cummins*
 
Though I enjoy the 6.4L in our truck, it would benefit from a little more power. We know it's possible based upon the changes in the 392 versions in the Challenger/Charger/SRT Jeep combos. I don't mind the 6.4L...but I would be lying if I didn't say I tried to find a reasonably priced F250 Tremor before I went with a Power Wagon.
Same here. The Tremor packaged Super Duty is a nice rig and was a very close second to ordering my new 2500. They couldn't find one close enough to dealer trade or I would have gone that route. I am still very happy with my decision and look forward to the new truck in a cple months.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk
 
The new Ford 7.3 is a monster. Pulls the Ike like a diesel at diesel MPG, no fragile cylinder deactivation or variable valve timing, just good 'ol fashioned pushrod grunt with modern fueling.

As far as gas HD, 7.3 Ford is the king IMO. GM is on the right track with the 6.6 as it dropped cylinder deactivation as well but kept variable valve timing. In case you're wondering why they are dropping these technologies, it's not because they don't work, they just don't *last* in the grand scheme. Fleets want simplicity and longevity, not an ants ass worth of .1mpg better because you have a fragile lifter system that has pin actuators that can roach.

I don't know if the 6.4 is far enough behind for Stellantis to mess with it. Be nice to lose the MDS for durability, but RAM doesn't really have a fleet presence big enough to worry about or make a change for.
 
I’ve been shopping the Ram PW against the Ford Tremor 7.3 - even though they are quite different trucks in terms of capability (pluses and minuses for each). I’m going to get flamed for this, but I think if you want more pulling power than the 6.4, but don’t have to tow really heavy, and you don’t want either the cost or complexity of emissions systems with the diesel, the 7.3 makes sense. Based on my limited test drive of the Ford, and some decent time in the PW, the 7.3 feels stronger. TFL found the 7.3 to be much better going up the Ike. Elevation takes its toll on all NA engine, but the 7.3 did better. I live at 8,500 ft and drive the Ike regularly, so their test matters for me. Having said all that, I’m still leaning PW for reasons other than the engine. But if you are just looking at the engine, Ford has a winner with the 7.3. Here are the TFL tests of the Ford and Ram on the Ike:

 
I think both the modern hemi and Ford engines are pretty awesome but when it comes to towing and tq capability the ford definitely wins hands down. It's not just the power plant it's the combination of Ford having more horsepower, torque and at low RPM along with having the most aggressive rear end available (4.30), 10 gears and a manual mode all = dominate gas truck. I've driven both trucks with all available rear end gears and the Ford pulls the best, not in terms of drag race acceleration but in terms of tq and holding a gear at low rpm. Ford also shifts quicker. Don't get me wrong I actually really like the hemi and believe it bests the Ford in several areas but it's hard to deny the new Fords towing capabilities.
 
I think both the modern hemi and Ford engines are pretty awesome but when it comes to towing and tq capability the ford definitely wins hands down. It's not just the power plant it's the combination of Ford having more horsepower, torque and at low RPM along with having the most aggressive rear end available (4.30), 10 gears and a manual mode all = dominate gas truck. I've driven both trucks with all available rear end gears and the Ford pulls the best, not in terms of drag race acceleration but in terms of tq and holding a gear at low rpm. Ford also shifts quicker. Don't get me wrong I actually really like the hemi and believe it bests the Ford in several areas but it's hard to deny the new Fords towing capabilities.
Interesting! I kind of like the 8-speed in the Ram more than the 10-speed in the Ford (while preferring Ford’s 7.3 over the 6.4). Do you have a lot of seat time in both? I’ve only driven the Ford about 10 miles, so my experience is very minimal.
 
Interesting! I kind of like the 8-speed in the Ram more than the 10-speed in the Ford (while preferring Ford’s 7.3 over the 6.4). Do you have a lot of seat time in both? I’ve only driven the Ford about 10 miles, so my experience is very minimal.
I don't have ownership level seat time but I have hundreds of miles of test drive time including doing weird stuff like taking the vehicles to Steep hills and noting down what amount of throttle forces a gear change and at how high of gear each truck could pull Hill at what RPM Before it would slow down or drop a gear, back to back same day....yeah I'm a little cra cra.

I believe the ram 8 speed feels more refined, smooth and daily driver friendly where the ford 10 speed feels a little bit more clunky and awkward but has firm quick shifts and lower rpm jumps between gears making it a more tow friendly/capable transmission.

I also reset fuel economy on every truck before test drives. The ram almost always won and usually by 1-3mpg sometimes more which I think is noteworthy.

I believe the big avantage the Ford has is the 10 speed and 4.30 gears not the 7.3. I would put money on the 6.2 in the 350 paired with the 10spd and 4.30 would go up the ike gauntlet only a little bit slower than the 7.3 and still beat the ram easily. My guess is that the ram will need big power increases to match the Ford since I bet the 8spd and 4.10s aren't going anywhere.
 
I don't have ownership level seat time but I have hundreds of miles of test drive time including doing weird stuff like taking the vehicles to Steep hills and noting down what amount of throttle forces a gear change and at how high of gear each truck could pull Hill at what RPM Before it would slow down or drop a gear, back to back same day....yeah I'm a little cra cra.

I believe the ram 8 speed feels more refined, smooth and daily driver friendly where the ford 10 speed feels a little bit more clunky and awkward but has firm quick shifts and lower rpm jumps between gears making it a more tow friendly/capable transmission.

I also reset fuel economy on every truck before test drives. The ram almost always won and usually by 1-3mpg sometimes more which I think is noteworthy.

I believe the big avantage the Ford has is the 10 speed and 4.30 gears not the 7.3. I would put money on the 6.2 in the 350 paired with the 10spd and 4.30 would go up the ike gauntlet only a little bit slower than the 7.3 and still beat the ram easily. My guess is that the ram will need big power increases to match the Ford since I bet the 8spd and 4.10s aren't going anywhere.
Thanks for your reply! I agree with you regarding gearing. The 4.10 in the Ram is the reason I’ve thought about buying a regular 2500 (and not a PW) and regearing to 4.56, putting in ARB lockers, and 35 tires. Doing this aftermarket is pricey but gets you the right gears for a better tire size for off road (I know it needs 37s but that leads to other costs), and lockers that engage immediately (PW lockers can be finicky).
The Tremor is appealing because it comes with 35s from factory, 4.30s, though I’d rather have a locker up front than a limited slip (but limited slip is great on road).
 
Thanks for your reply! I agree with you regarding gearing. The 4.10 in the Ram is the reason I’ve thought about buying a regular 2500 (and not a PW) and regearing to 4.56, putting in ARB lockers, and 35 tires. Doing this aftermarket is pricey but gets you the right gears for a better tire size for off road (I know it needs 37s but that leads to other costs), and lockers that engage immediately (PW lockers can be finicky).
The Tremor is appealing because it comes with 35s from factory, 4.30s, though I’d rather have a locker up front than a limited slip (but limited slip is great on road).
It would be fun to build a truck to spec. My current dream truck would be a 2500/3500 cummins with carli/thuren setup on 37s. In my recent pursuit of an upgraded Gasser I started test driving diesels and that was a financially poor decision.
 
Back
Top