Engine torque

Lynnmor wrote:
Horsepower is the measure of work that an engine can do. With both trucks having about the same horsepower, they both will get to the top of the mountain in the same time. Those that won't run an engine at the RPM necessary to develop the required power will complain and comment on lack of torque. High torque engines will actually work bearings, pistons, clutches and gear teeth harder than a lower torque engine running faster.

I do all the driving in our truck. For 7 years I've been used to WOT or near it much of the time up mountain roads to maintain a good speed (up to 65 mph). Never worried about the RPMs in the V10. I won't be concerned about high RPMs in the GM V8. I don't think I've ever been passed by a TT or FW up a 6% or steeper

I haven't got many miles on the new truck yet but it does seem to shift differently, nicer and more smoothly than the F250 did. I couldn't seem to get the tow/haul mode to work tho. Maybe it's different than the way it works in a Ford? I would expect it to work the same. I often used it to downshift without the trailer down hills or when slowing down.

The GM truck also has a pair of +/- buttons next to the tow/haul button. Similar to a paddle shift (I think) but they don't do anything either. Not sure if there's a trick to this? I love the paddle shift in DW's Subaru and I drive her car like a sports car downshifting in corners and down hills. (She gets so annoyed, haha). It would be nice to have the +/- buttons working in the truck.

Why did the V10 blow up? I have no idea, but could be related to the total hours on it. I did look at the hours on the engine a few years ago but can't remember what it was. I had an Alfa Romeo years ago that spun a bearing and had rod knock. If you've ever heard rod knock, it's a distinctive sound. I think that could have happened in the V10. Maybe if I had shut the engine off immediately when I suspected that, it could have been saved. But I just didn't expect that and whatever it was, it all happened so fast. The mechanic was able to start the engine to move it but even a tiny bit of throttle made it rattle like the crank was sitting in a pile of nuts 'n bolts. I suspect a rod cap bolt or even cap may have broken. Still, the oil pressure was showing good up to the end.

I so loved that V10 and it will be sorely missed. :(