30,000 lbs behind the Ram
Clicky The Rams time was almost exactly what I expected out of a 385 hp engine. Using the same formula the 440 HP Powerstroke should have made the run in 10.5 minutes.
Forum Discussion
I think Mr. Truck didn't know what he was talking about. We need Cummins to comment, but the only reason I can imagine for why the transmission would downshift by letting up on the accelerator on the uphill run is because the truck would have lost some of its speed... then it might downshift when he mashed it again.
The driver and passenger tester always discuss how thin the air density is at 11,000 feet but with a turbo that is almost irrelevant. On a gasser that is normally aspired it does make a difference of about 2.5 percent per 1000 feet.
What is really odd is when they tested the new Cummins 5.0 Nissan against the gasser, the 5.6 gasser went up the Ike a few seconds faster than the turbocharged 5.0 Cummins. They have different transmissions, perhaps different axle ratios and the gasser has a 1000 pound less towing rating. Maybe if the Cummins was tested towing 1000 pounds less to equal the test towing numbers of the gasser, the whole test might have been more equitable. I certainly don't put much stock in the test results.
