Rams new 6.4 HEMI

Jimbee wrote:
I too am very interested in a gas powered 3500 series truck like the Ram with the 6.4; The Chevy/GMC 6.0 only puts out 322hp, less than the 2500 with the 6.0(very odd). I would love to know if it really needs Premium or not, as the cost between Reg. and Premium really adds up when you're getting about 10mpg while towing!

Don't be confused by peak HP. The 310hp 5.4L in my F250 could be called a 290hp engine and I wouldn't know the difference as I seldom see more than 4200rpm. I'm more interested in what hp it produces at 2-4k rpm. I'm sure the GM's hp producing torque is there. Just that rpm is more limited reducing peak hp that we seldom use anyhow.

Hannibal wrote:

Why would I care what GM recommends? Didn't know the Ecoboost needs premium fuel.

It doesn't. Ford recommends it when towing but it will run very happily on regular old regular gasoline.

Jimbee wrote:
I too am very interested in a gas powered 3500 series truck like the Ram with the 6.4; The Chevy/GMC 6.0 only puts out 322hp, less than the 2500 with the 6.0(very odd). I would love to know if it really needs Premium or not, as the cost between Reg. and Premium really adds up when you're getting about 10mpg while towing!

It does seem illogical at first but it's a duty cycle thing; the logic is that the heavier duty truck is going to be worked harder, and the lower output will (in theory) allow for longer engine life.

Same reason that the medium-duty box vans running around town often operate at 180, 225, or 250hp, figures in that ballpark. Less HP can mean lower operating temps, less engine stress, etc.

High HP is great for towing 15000lb trailers in the mountains, but for running a stoplight derby at GVW and not towing, lower power outputs make sense.

Jimbee wrote:
I would love to know if it really needs Premium or not, as the cost between Reg. and Premium really adds up when you're getting about 10mpg while towing!

I posted the owners manual page in this thread which states the 6.4L hemi only requires 87 octane. I just downloaded the manual from the RAM site a few days ago so I assume it is up to date. Even the 5.7L hemi doesn't require, what I consider, premium (91/93 octane). In fact, my 2005 5.7L hemi owners manual specifically states not to use premium gas since there are no gains for using it. Is says 89 preferred and 87 acceptable for the 5.7 (not 6.4).

FYI My 2013 Ecoboost manual says min 87octane which is reg where I am at. I have heard it will get more mpg and perform better with premium if towing, but not required. Will find out soon.......

I too am very interested in a gas powered 3500 series truck like the Ram with the 6.4; The Chevy/GMC 6.0 only puts out 322hp, less than the 2500 with the 6.0(very odd). I would love to know if it really needs Premium or not, as the cost between Reg. and Premium really adds up when you're getting about 10mpg while towing!

I am looking forward to someone getting some time under their belts with the 6.4. I absolutely loved my 12' 2500 5.7 and that was after owning a 09' 6.7. Pickuptrucks.com had a fairly informative review of the 6.4 Hemi.

Desn't matter if I know it for a fact or if you think it's "imagination" as it's written in black and white in the accepted standards, engineering manuals, and even in tens of thousands of pages you can even access yourself on the Internet. Read all the caveats and disclaimers noted as to what it is that the claims are derived from!

travelnutz wrote:
MM49,

Do you have any idea what "up to" means for can be getting 17.9 MPG? Let me help you. Going downhill at 45 mph with a 30 mph tailwind with less than 1/8 tank or fuel and the only thing in the stripped down base single cab work truck is a 120 lb driver who never touches the go pedal or turns on the A/C and has all windows closed!

Now you know!

How that relates to a "tow vehicle" even Einstein would have reaal problems figuring it out because one of his famous quotes is: "Imagination is more important than knowledge"!

Do you know this for a fact or is your imagination more important than knowledge?

M.R.E. wrote:
About a month ago I asked a similar question about experience pulling with the 6.4. No answer, just people going off topic and asking what kind of trailer I'm towing or diesel vs hemi. Who cares, just answer the question. If you don't know, don't answer.

I understand your sentiment but if the rule here was don't answer if you don't know then every thread would have about 2 or 3 replies at most.

I've seen OPs politely request that only actual owners reply and with a few exceptions that normally is respected if requested. If not, then it's thought of as an open discussion and folks feel free to chime in with thoughts and opinions.

The 6.4L Hemi is quite new; the same question posed 2-3 months from now will probably get a lot more action in the form of actual input from actual owners.