28,500 lbs Ford vs Ram 1 ton DRW
VIDEO $80,115 MSRP Ram 3500 385hp/930tq, 4.10 rear, 5690# payload as configured, 11 brake applications on the way down. 2.7 mpg and 11 min 41 sec on the uphill portion. $83,015 MSRP Ford F350...
Forum Discussion
This test does not prove that the Cummins is putting down the same peak power of the Ford. It does prove that they are putting down similar sustained power and torque numbers at 2,500 rpm where they were limited to. Unloaded and flat out without any speed limits, there is no doubt that the Ford would have had a quicker time up the hill, but that is not what these trucks are made for.
This is why I always say that it is not always about peak horsepower when towing. It is about how much horsepower you are making at the rpm you are limited to. 440hp at 2,800 rpm is useless if you only have enough torque and gearing to keep the load moving at 2,500 rpm. If two engines are making the same amount of torque at an rpm, then they are making the same amount of horsepower at that rpm as well regardless of what the peak numbers at higher rpms are.
Also, the reason I say sustained is because I still believe that these higher power levels of the GM and Ford are not what you get at all times and that the computer "detunes" the engine if it starts making too much NOx or the EGT's get too high. I can't prove this without looking at its mapping so it is just my theory based on what I know of how the mapping works.
This is why I always say that it is not always about peak horsepower when towing. It is about how much horsepower you are making at the rpm you are limited to. 440hp at 2,800 rpm is useless if you only have enough torque and gearing to keep the load moving at 2,500 rpm. If two engines are making the same amount of torque at an rpm, then they are making the same amount of horsepower at that rpm as well regardless of what the peak numbers at higher rpms are.
Also, the reason I say sustained is because I still believe that these higher power levels of the GM and Ford are not what you get at all times and that the computer "detunes" the engine if it starts making too much NOx or the EGT's get too high. I can't prove this without looking at its mapping so it is just my theory based on what I know of how the mapping works.
