Ford V-6 beats v-8's in towing competition

[Marveltone]

I think an interesting point about the test worth noting is the short distances they were running. The tests were clearly set up to favor gearing and acceleration from a stand still, so the transmissions are being judged just as much as the engines. Instead of a 3.5 mile climb, I want to see an extended climb, like Lolo Pass on the Montana/Idaho border. That climb really strained my previous tow rig (1500 Suburban, 5.7l) as it's a constant accelerate, hold, slow for the next corner, roll-on, next corner, pass Winnebago, slow down again, accelerate, etc... By the top of the climb, I couldn't even touch 40 mph. It's also one of the reasons why I bought a diesel.

Point is, I'd like to see how the "premium" gassers fare on a real extended torture test like this.

Joe

 

[LD1]

Im getting in kinda late on this thread and I didn't have a chance to read ALL of the replys but........

Two things I found interesting about the numbers in that article

1. The hemi had more HP and almost as much torque. But what gets me is the max torque RPM. The hemi @ 4000 seems high for a v8 and the 2500rpm for the TT v6 seems almost TOO good to have that much torque that low with a SMALL displacement TT engine.

2. I know they were towing like 9000lbs or something but the 0-60 results in 12.6seconds faster than chevy and 11.9 faster than the dodge That seems like an awful lot for a mere 0-60. And the fact that the chevy and dodge were only .7 secons appart when the chevy is only 315/335 HP and torque and the hemi is 390/407. Not to mention the 3.42 gears of the chevy and the 3.92 of the dodge???? What gives???

And to top it off , the 3.5 mile times, the chevy was 42 secons slower and the dodge was nipping on the heels of the ford.

Is it just me or is something not adding up??? Doesnt seem quite right to me. I currently have a 5.3 chevy that I tow with a lot. I have also towed with the wifes 5.7 hemi 1500. No WAY is the chevy that close to the hemi in a 0-60, trailer or not.

 

[Dmace]

1. The hemi had more HP and almost as much torque. But what gets me is the max torque RPM. The hemi @ 4000 seems high for a v8 and the 2500rpm for the TT v6 seems almost TOO good to have that much torque that low with a SMALL displacement TT engine.

2. I know they were towing like 9000lbs or something but the 0-60 results in 12.6seconds faster than chevy and 11.9 faster than the dodge That seems like an awful lot for a mere 0-60. And the fact that the chevy and dodge were only .7 secons appart when the chevy is only 315/335 HP and torque and the hemi is 390/407. Not to mention the 3.42 gears of the chevy and the 3.92 of the dodge???? What gives???

And to top it off , the 3.5 mile times, the chevy was 42 secons slower and the dodge was nipping on the heels of the ford.

Is it just me or is something not adding up??? Doesnt seem quite right to me. I currently have a 5.3 chevy that I tow with a lot. I have also towed with the wifes 5.7 hemi 1500. No WAY is the chevy that close to the hemi in a 0-60, trailer or not.

As far as the HEMI's peak torque, keep in mind that is just the peak. It still makes plenty of torque below that, it just peaks at 4,000 rpms where most engines are running out of air the HEMI is still making more power. It makes over 300 lb.ft. just above idle and is over 375 lb.ft. by 2700 rpms. I have yet to see a true dyno run of this new Ford V6 but it would be impressive if it can make that much torque that low.

Secondly, Ford is trying to promote the "quickness" of this new engine so you know they geared that transmission (not the rear end) for the 0-60 runs which is why it "looks" so much faster than the other two but the HEMI is right on it's tail the rest of it's time. That's with a taller 5-speed auto in the RAM vs. a 6-speed auto in the F-150 too. It's what Ford's good at, Advertising.

 

[sld]

It's what Ford's good at, building the best truck out there.

Couldn't have said it better.:laughing:

 

[Diamondpilot]

NO, Ford is good at building the best trucks and best selling trucks for some 30 years now. They are the most innovative, have the best creature comforts, best tow capacities, nicest interiors, and are second to none.

Story over.

Chris

 

[timswi]

NO, Ford is good at building the best trucks and best selling trucks for some 30 years now. They are the most innovative, have the best creature comforts, best tow capacities, nicest interiors, and are second to none.

Story over.

Chris

Don't want to pick a fight Chris, but Ford does unload a ton of trucks on fleets at a huge discount to maintain that best selling truck, this has been widely documented for years. I've never seen whether GMC and Chevy are added together in the comparison. GM is certainly in the majority around my part of the world...Not arguing, just sayin.:thumbsup:

 

[ham]

Well I have read through the posts and it is interesting. I would refer all of you to pickuptruck.com to read some more. First of all:

Schmism- I agree with you...given that yours is a Beemer...I bet you can hit 24mph in town...I bet with a tail wind you might even hit 25. (I think you meant mpG

Someone earlier hit it on the head. What Ford is trying to do is build the best truck for the most folks by making a very flexible powerplant.

First of all its written all over the place that this is 3.5L. Second of all it runs on regular fuel. Third of all modern intercooled turbos, small, sequential etc is a completely new gig here in this application and that is why they are beating the crap out of that same engine over and over....160,000 in shop miles with temperature extremes like 40 below and 100 above back and forth.
Next drag Giant Redwoods all over the place. Next pull a large trailer with two race cars loaded as hard as you can go around a race track till **** freezes over...then complete the Baja 1000 and finish 38th (some say that is equal to about 150,000 miles of hard driving)...and the story is still going on.

I occassionally do extremely hard towing. The weather in Montana does indeed range from 105 down to 60 below in the same year...making a diesel a bit of a chore. A huge amount of my driving is simply highway driving to my various work sites. If you can't go off road to some degree you can't enjoy Montana. If you can't have 4X4...then don't move to Montana. For once it looks like when I get my 2011 EB Supercab long box I might be able to just have one vehicle instead of three.
If you take the time to read you will actually find a hard time knocking this rig.

They tested it against the 5.3 because that is THE number one Chevy pickup engine and the 3.42 rear end is what Chevy offers. Their 6.2 is a rare beast and Ford's 6.2 will be a rare beast as well in the 1/2 ton...and it stomps the Chevy 6.2 so that is a completely different kettle of fish.

I am driving a '03 Hemi. It has been squeek free. Problem free. I have 160K and I am now replacing the shaft and joint on the 4 wheel drive...thats it folks. But I can tell you it runs like a race car. I have never lacked for power but it does like to rev and rev...and always gives you the sensation it has a high rear end...in reality...3.73. What it needs is Ford's sophisticated 6 speed...and will have next year...until then Ford will eat it on the hill climb.

I personally think its the 6 spd tranny that gives the Ford a lot of the edge but hey...nobody seems to pickup on the fact this is a new 6 spd...and it is a good one. Combine it with a whole new flexible engine and...well...it leaves you out of date wannabes gasping at straws! Ha!

 

[boxygen]

Makes sense. I really did not know why. I have had a turbo diesel trucks but never a turbo on a car but do remember dating a girl in HS that had a Dodge Daytona Turbo and I can remember her dad replacing the Turbo in it a few times. I think it was a Mitsubishi Engine.

This motor will be interesting to watch. I can not wait to see what the competition comes out with. The way this thing makes power down low really impresses me. As for running a 0 to 60 race its very relevant. Merging into traffic on the free way is a pain pulling a trailer in a under powered truck. This is a place that makes or brakes a truck in my eyes. I would still love to see a comparison of the new Ford 6.2, the GM 6.2, and the Hemi Dodge. That would be a fair battle.

Chris

Turbo's shouldnt be an issue. I've driven Saabs for many years. Saab is the manufacturer that made turbocharging a mainstream, reliable technology in passenger vehicles starting in the late 70's. Turbo's had been around for a while, it was the electronic engine management that really made the difference. They use garrett and mitsubishi turbo's like everyone else. Anyway, I've seen many many more turbo's with serious miles on them 200k+ runnning perfectly than I've seen prematurely replaced. The bugs have been worked out. I know the one in my car right now has 170k and loves 5-6000 RPMs and 15lbs of boost.
Im technically a chevy guy, but havent been impressed with what they have had to offer in the last ten years. F150's are looking better and better these days. If with some aftermarket accessories I could get 25 MPG, I might sell my car and truck and buy a turbo v6 as a daily driver. Those HP and MPG specs beat the pants off the the truck I have now. I agree, the biggest hangup I would have is the LAME sound of a V6. I know I just admitted that I drive a SAAB (Something An A$$hold Bought) but my redneck side isnt satisfied without a V8, headers and flowmasters. TURBOs sound cool though.

 

[crazyal]

A little research and I found that the turbos are rated for a 10 year, 150k mile life. Now how that translates to real life, say starting in -40 Vermont mornings to 100 plus temps in Arizona, will it still make 150k before needing rebuilding/ replacing, who knows. They are smaller turbos that spin faster, up to 170k rpm. It would be nice if Ford had the forethought to include a pre/ post oiler to avoid dry starts and to keep oil flowing as the turbo winds down even if the engine is shut off.

 

[crazyal]

TURBOs sound cool though.

Don't forget the boost gauge. That sound and feel of a turbo is magnified when you see a needle shoot up as well.