350 HP ICE vs. 350 HP Diesel?

Oh lord.... Here we go.

OP, all other things would not be equal as there would be a very different home on top of each engine.

If all other things WERE equal for some reason, the smart person would buy the 350hp gas engine. HAHAHAHAH

Nice popcorn thread starter by the way...

tempforce wrote:
one thing they forgot to mention above and in the test...
how long the engines will last and how much fuel each used to perform the test...

the diesel will usually last between 750,000 to 1 million miles before overhaul... the gas engine should last around 150,000 - 200,000 miles...
also the diesel engine will usually get 1/3 to double the mileage of the gas engine, with the same gearing/load ect.

Yep, I'm sure that Motor Trend could have modified the test so that the diesel performed better. Maybe change the gearing, load the gas coach more, etc. Since you brought up mileage, according to the test, the diesel got 18MPG max and the gas engine got 17mpg max. Not a huge difference, especially since diesel fuel costs more The OP asked for a comparison with all variables being equal. The Motor Trend test was pretty equal as to comparing the two different types of engines.

one thing they forgot to mention above and in the test...
how long the engines will last and how much fuel each used to perform the test...

the diesel will usually last between 750,000 to 1 million miles before overhaul... the gas engine should last around 150,000 - 200,000 miles...
also the diesel engine will usually get 1/3 to double the mileage of the gas engine, with the same gearing/load ect.

There is a sticky at the beginning of the Class A Motorhomees discussion area. Helps answer your question! Choosing Gasoline or Diesel Powered?

In fact, there are two: The power equation...Horsepower- Torque -Gear Ratio- Weight.

My personal preference is the diesel. The diesel engine is more efficient in producing power than the gasoline engine. This is due to the higher compression ratio that a diesel can and does run at. How many gas engines do you see in tractor trailers? One I know of is the 534 Ford. But I don't know one RV manufacturer who puts a 534 Ford in a motorhome. If my motorhome has to have gas, I want a 534 Ford in it.

Ivylog wrote:
I'll bet the Motor Tend test was done close to sea level. I'll let you figure out the rest of a story.

What's to figure out? Oh, so you're saying that they should've made their test even more unscientific by giving one of the engines an advantage?

DougE wrote:
Quarter mile performance is mainly a horsepower and gearing thing. I wish they had done a high gear only hill climb up a long 5% or better grade.

So full throttle with a trailer in tow isn't a load?

I'll bet the Motor Tend test was done close to sea level. I'll let you figure out the rest of a story.

Stealth1 wrote:
In a word: TORQUE!!

You forgot smell, shake, oil on carpet, and last but not least, smoke.

In a few words it is pounds per Horsepower, not Torque. See my earlier posts or goggle acceleration Horsepower.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
The same diesel engine could probably pull 10,000 pounds more than the gasser but the test just shows that all things being EQUAL, the gasser will out perform the diesel

I got a chuckle from this. "Performance" encompasses far more than speed or ET in the 1/4 mile.

My preferred "performance" test would be to load them up EQUALLY with another 10-20,000 lbs or so (getting closer to the type of performance you need in a motor home) and drive them up a long grade in the Rockies, like approaching Eisenhower Tunnel from the west. Let's see which one gets to the top first.

Go drive one of each. That should do it. For me no only the motor, but the drive train, suspension etc.......was a big deal. Once you experience a air ride suspension and air brakes you figure out quick what is best for you and the travel you are planning.