New Ram/Cummins vs GM/Duramax on the IKE
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Forum Discussion
Even with a 3.42 and 910 lb-ft, the Dmax is putting more torque to the wheels with the 10-speed than the 4.10 rear gear 1,000 lb-ft Ram 6-speed so has more than enough torque with its advertised numbers. In fact, I would rather have a taller gear with many trans ratios to take better advantage of the narrow diesel powerband. So the gearing of the GM is not an issue at all.
As I said before, other things come into play like different turbocharger efficiencies. How big each turbine/compressor wheel is, how fast it can spin, how many blades it has, and blade profile will have significant impact on performance loss at certain altitudes as well. Some turbos loose more power at altitude than others and smaller turbos generally work better in higher altitude than larger ones.
I can't speak for the Dmax, but I know the turbo on the Cummins 5.9 and 6.7L engines has always been rather small because it is made to be efficient at high altitudes which also limits power potential at lower altitudes. If the L5P has a larger turbo(which I believe it does), then it may have greater power loss in high altitude versus the Cummins and its sustained power(not to be confused with short term power of 0-60 runs) may be less. This is all just assumption on my part because I don't know the specs of the L5P turbo.
As I said before, other things come into play like different turbocharger efficiencies. How big each turbine/compressor wheel is, how fast it can spin, how many blades it has, and blade profile will have significant impact on performance loss at certain altitudes as well. Some turbos loose more power at altitude than others and smaller turbos generally work better in higher altitude than larger ones.
I can't speak for the Dmax, but I know the turbo on the Cummins 5.9 and 6.7L engines has always been rather small because it is made to be efficient at high altitudes which also limits power potential at lower altitudes. If the L5P has a larger turbo(which I believe it does), then it may have greater power loss in high altitude versus the Cummins and its sustained power(not to be confused with short term power of 0-60 runs) may be less. This is all just assumption on my part because I don't know the specs of the L5P turbo.
