I do not think any of the big three has its diesel turned up to the max. Since there are tuners out there with HP ratings over 2x the factory settings in pulling and drag applications. It seems as though in inline 6 configuration is a solid performer in those settings, but we all know that no manufacturer right now can afford having a frankly unreliable truck in these markets. We all speak of the good ol' days when trucks were so much better. My first diesel, a 7.3L power stroke, was a good engine. It had 250/525 from the factory and I added a Banks Power Pack and Six Gun tuner to it and probably added 120 hp and about 220 lb. ft. additional torque to a rough total of 370/700-750ish. The truck got 18 empty and about 11 pulling 10000 pounds, both before and after the modifications. My GMC gets about 19-20 on the highway, 18 in combo unloaded driving and 12-14 pulling similar loads and has as much or more power and much more comfort and drivability than did my old 7.3L Point here is that as much as we look back at the old days and wish for an underpowered, high-mileage diesel engine, we are benefitted that we can have 400 hp diesels that do as well as--or better than--lower powered diesels of years past on fuel. True, perhaps it has gotten out of hand, but I look at these articles and most of the rest of us do to and that is the reason these trucks sell, despite their cost.
John M
