On vail pass, that 454 was down some 30% ion hp due to altitude! Along with the max a 454 was ever speced at was 295 in the 97-2000 years. So you had more hp to begin with! much less the altitude difference at 10K feet! My old 6.5td out pulled a 454 at 9K ft in yellowstone, with the SAME trailer, but total wt was 1000 lbs more! All because of the turbo on the diesel! yet it had 50 less hp. At sea level the 454 out did the 6.5 on a free way grade. But due to the auto behind the 454, a manual behind the 6.5, the low end, the 454 stalled out on 15-20% grades, where as the 6.5 kept going due to better gearing.
There is more than one way to skin a cat, and look at which rig will be the better one!
The army found, a turbine 2000hp motor with 400 lb ft of torque, would move a tank just as fast as a 2000hp diesel with 4000 lb ft of torque! BUT, one had to use a drive train that worked for the turbine, not a diesel type drive train. One has to do the same with gas vs diesel. other wise, which even has the correct drivetrain for its specs etc, will win the battle!
marty
marty
