Gas vs Diesel (I've read the FAQs!!)

OhhWell wrote:

Bruce Brown wrote:

OhhWell wrote:

Bruce Brown wrote:

Daveinet wrote:

Bruce Brown wrote:
Not the Grape Vine, but Rt 26 out of Johnson City, Tn;
2000 V10 gasser MH - brought to it's knees, 30 MPH tops
2003 DP w/ Cat 3126, 330HP/860 TQ - 55 MPH
...
If you're ready for a DP skip the HP number and look at the torque.

I'd like to see you reconcile your statements with the post from Greyhost above. My guess is you have not considered the weight of either coach, or the altitude. An old V10 has serious breathing problems, which will be exacerbated by any kind of altitude. No doubt that is a big factor, so you argument of torque doesn't hold water. (never mind that it defies physics)

I have no idea why he was limited to 50 MPH in his diesel - ours does not.

As to the rest, I'm offering real world expirence, not a physiscs class. If it makes you feel better to say I'm wrong then OK, make yourself happy.

If you want to buy a low torque engine go ahead, I won't.

We've owned gassers and diesels in both our MH's and pickups. Gas has it's place, but when it comes to hard work I'll take a diesel every time, and the bigger the better.

Nothing wrong with loving a high torque engine as they make for a very pleasant driving experience. When you say ignorant things like ignore the HP number, it's all about torque; unfortunately, you are doing a disservice in addition to being just plain wrong.

Ask yourself;

Do you want a 300HP/600#/ft diesel or do you want a 300/950#/ft diesel?

Me? Ignorant as I may be I'm skipping the HP number and going for more torque.

Take a look at the torque curves and you'll know why. :W Where an engine makes power is just as important as how much it makes. A low torque diesel just can't offer what a high torque one can. And until you've owned both (we have) you just won't understand.

You gotta be kidding me right? You expect anyone with a good sense of reasoning to take you seriously after that?

besides, it doesn't usually work out like that. Lets take the Cat 3126 that is offered in different power levels from 300 to I think 350 HP but the TQ rating is the same. Which would you take? Would you flip a coin since they should all do about the same?

I have driven High TQ , Low HP engines and vice versa. I completely understand how a high TQ engine just feels more powerful and is fun to drive, I ALSO understand how it runs out of steam when you have exceeded the HP it has available. You can also increase TQ at the wheels simply through gearing. You can't increase HP.

You are dead set on believing what you want to believe as dead wrong as it may be. The good thing is most modern diesels have plenty of HP DUE to their high torque abilities.

Of course it works that way. Look at the Cummins engine family.

Pre 07 EPA they offered the ISB in a 300HP/600lb/ft configuration and the ISC in a 300HP/950lb/ft configuration.

The ISC had more available torque through a wider part of the powerband than the ISB had at it's peak, even though they were the same peak HP.

Like I said - where it makes its power is as important as how much peak power it makes. More available torque usually means much more broad torque curve.

In your Cat example, how they got more HP without raising the torque is simple - they spun it faster.

Remember, HP is determined by torque, not the other way around. ((TorquexSpeed)/5252)

Having said all of this, sure, if we all only ever drove at peak HP then sure, it wouldn't be a big deal, but we don't - we drive through a wide variety of conditions and RPM ranges, so in the real world I'm looking for more torque - the HP part will take care of itself.