PUTC Compares The Detroit Three Big V-8s
By Aaron Bragman
In an age of gasoline-electric this and turbo-diesel that, traditional truck enthusiasts may think that the world is passing them by, that the days of the big V-8-powered pickup truck may be numbered. With federal fuel economy mandates becoming increasingly strict and global concerns about carbon dioxide emissions growing, the justifications for driving big trucks with big engines are dwindling. The popularity of Ford's twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 engine only feeds the fear that big V-8s may not be long for this world.
But fear not truck fans, the auto industry hasn't given up on you yet - in fact, for the 2014 and 2015 model years, we're seeing a new crop of V-8 gasoline engines that are more powerful, more efficient and cleaner than ever. Why? Because these big engines mean big profits, and there's still a demand (albeit a significantly smaller one than in previous decades) for the capability and power they provide.
Chrysler and GM each have a new offering: a new 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 for GM's high-end pickups and SUVs, and the biggest Hemi ever put in a recent Chrysler truck - a new 6.4-liter gasoline brute coming next year in the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty that's rumored to be possibly making an appearance in a future high-performance light-duty Ram 1500 as well. Over at Ford, the big 6.2-liter "Boss" V-8 carries on unchanged for 2014.
GM's 6.2-liter EcoTec3 is a new engine appearing in its redesigned trucks. It's considered as much an up-level luxury motor as a workhorse engine, appearing in the top trim levels of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra as well as the company's newly unveiled 2015 GMC Yukon Denali SUV. GM says that it is the most powerful light-duty engine on the market, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pounds-feet of torque, enabling an estimated towing rating of 12,000 pounds. It's an advanced engine as well, featuring all-aluminum construction - rare in a world of mostly cast-iron engine blocks.
Over at Ram, there's a new light-duty diesel V-6 engine making news, but the other motor making Ram's competitors sit up and take notice is the one coming initially in the 2014 2500 HD, a 6.4-liter Hemi engine making 410 horsepower and 429 pounds-feet of torque. Right now it's only slated for the HD, but given the competition's plans to put their big gas engines in their top-end luxury light-duty trucks, we wouldn't be surprised to see this motor work its way into a fancy 1500 as well. At least one of our staff thinks this motor would be perfect for a production version of the Ram Rumble Bee concept. Unique on this motor (in HD models anyway) is an optional dual-alternator system, which whips up a class-leading 380 amps, more than enough to keep the fog lights blazing. Like many of the other new engines, the 6.4-liter Hemi features technology designed to improve efficiency and emissions, such as cooled exhaust-gas recirculation, variable-valve timing and cylinder deactivation. Ram is backing up the new engine with a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty that includes free towing to the nearest Ram dealer, if needed.
Ford updated its big engine for the F-150 for the last model change in 2010, the 6.2-liter "Boss" (even though Ford doesn't officially call it that) that appears in both the light-duty trucks and the Super Duty. It's the top engine choice in the F-150, appearing as an option on the higher-spec trim levels. The same engine appears in the Super Duty as well, with a few minor changes, such as a bigger alternator. The engine differs from the GM and Chrysler motors in that it's an overhead-cam motor - both of those competitors are still using tried-and-true pushrod valve trains, but Ford has figured out how to squeeze pushrod-style low-end torque out of an SOHC motor. With a new F-150 expected soon, we would not be surprised to hear of updates to the next big Ford V-8 as well, perhaps accompanied by a longer powertrain warranty (Ford's comes up a bit short when compared with GM and Ram).
We've scanned the stats from the Detroit Three automakers and assembled a handy reference sheet for you stat lovers out there. Here are the top gasoline engines in the latest crop of big pickups.
Comments
I long for the day that Tundra will offer a 400+ cubic inch V8. But in this day and age that is not likely to happen.
I'd like to see GM take their 7 liter and make it a cast iron block and use it and replace the anemic 6.0
GM looks like the better option, way better then the other two by far.
Rumor on allpar is the hemi's are getting a hp and fuel economy gain for the 2015 model year vehicles. Roughly 30 hp for the 5.7.
At least GM has converted over to an all-aluminum block and heads which means less weight over the front wheels and more power per pound.
TFLCar JUST ran all 3 and the Ford 6.2 was the fastest.
@ALM That was a Ram event and yeah the Ford was faster but they where not using the 2014 6.2 from GM otherwise once more Ram and Ford would of been a laughing stock which they all ready are not my opinion just proven fact.
Ram could use the 6.4 in the challenger rated 470HP and 470Torque. That would be a beats.....but I guess Ram don't want to make them feel too bad;) lol just kidding.
So what you're saying is Ram tested their new 2014 against the 2013's. I thought Ram fans said only test current models years. Cheaters. Cheaters!
http://www.tfltruck.com/2013/09/mashup-2014-ram-2500-v-ford-f-250-v-chevrolet-silverado-2500-gasser-0-60-mph/
Ram tried to cheat but still lost.
What was it when they did the truck testing at the drag strip unloaded and loaded. and the little 5.7Hemi pulled away from both Chevy's 6.2 and Ford's 6.2's??? Don't believe me. Got too pickuptrucks.com's video's scroll down. I think its the 51 from the top?????? and that's just the little 5.7 Hemi rated 390Hp 400torque for the 2010 Model year. You know Theresa reason the Hemi dominated at the tracks all these years. Go brush up on your Hemi history. there's a reason the Hemi is different...here ill try to help you H-E-M-I
Everybody does it folks.
That's odd.....I would have to say the 2014's Ram's are not even out yet....We all know Ram..... Ram always releases it's trucks last....Sometimes in the middle of the next year like it did in 2013
@Time tracker Where do you see that? I've checked the rumors and HEMI page.
"@ALM That was a Ram event and yeah the Ford was faster but they where not using the 2014 6.2 from GM otherwise once more Ram and Ford would of been a laughing stock which they all ready are not my opinion just proven fact."
All American, Those were HD's. In order for the GM to be a he new 6.2 in the HD it would be a 2015.
AllAmerican now wants to compare a 2015 GM against the 2013 Ford and 2014 Ram.
In the Ford video post the GM fans said this was "BS" to use a 2015 vs 2013.
Also, Ram fans said it was desperation to use the next model year against the previous of the competition but that's exactly what Ram did at their own media event.
Have they just been exposed as hypocritical? I'll let you decide.
All American says to wait for the 2015 GM HD to show that the Ford will be a laughing stock and this is a fact.
One problem with that. The all new 2016 SD will be out right after and Mark Williams says to count on a new big V8.
It seems like more and more people just want to make excuses. Any GM guy can say wait for 2015 HD with a 6.2. So what! The Ford guy will be in the right to say wait for the 2016 when the entire truck is new. Then the Ram guys can say wait for the 2017 whatever.
When does it stop being about excuses and start being about results?
And if we are also talking about half tons and supposed laughing stocks, Ford has a new F-150 debuting in January.
I point you to this statement: "With a new F-150 expected soon, we would not be surprised to hear of updates to the next big Ford V-8 as well..."
If Ford comes out with a 2015 F-150 in January that blows away GM, now who is the laughing stock? I don't think either truck will be a laughing stock but if you are going to use that language, GM comes out with the 6.2 later in the fall (November or December) so their days of the most powerful light duty truck title are numbered.
"Ram tried to cheat but still lost"
LOL that sounds spot on about what gutless gloryless Ram would try to do.
ALL GUTLESS!!!
ALL GLORYLESS!!
ALL GARBAGE!!!
ALL RAM!!!
Well all see what really happens to trucks by 2015. Chevy is pretty well maxed out with their New to Them Engines and the Ford has some surprizes comming...Ram, just another Push Rod V8 no better than Chevy's
While Ford may not officially refer to the 6.2L as the Boss in most references, my Raptor Owners manual does refer to it as the "Boss"
no way in hell would I ever by an over head cam V8. No real advantage and hard to work on. I'll take pushrods any day. Imagine a ford ohc motor in a boat, sorry but no thanks
sorry, meant to say buy
@Josh, years ago I managed to throw a rod in a 350 and then destroy a timing belt in a 4 cyl car on the same day! Can't say I have anything against a chain-driven OHC.
I'm surprised that Mike Williams is perpetuating the myth that push rod engines have more torque. "but Ford has figured out how to squeeze pushrod-style low-end torque out of an SOHC motor"
The location of the cam matters little. Bore and stroke, the size and number of valves, cam lift etc. all factor into torque.
Ford's 5.4 is a DOHC engine and its torque curve has always been superior to Chevy's 5.3 which is a pushrod V8.
VW is on record as going to turbocharged engines across its product line while downsizing displacement.
Even Ford has hinted at the fact that they too are looking at downsizing displacement by using turbo's across the board.
I suspect that Ford's 6.2 will be dropped from the 1/2 ton line up. Ford is rumoured to be replacing the 3.7 V6 with a turbo 4 cylinder engine. I bet that the only V8 that will be available in a Ford will be the 5.0 V8.
"According to a high ranking Volkswagen executive, within four years conventional naturally aspirated gasoline engines will be extinct at the automaker, replaced with diesel powerplants and turbocharged gasoline engines. Mark Trahan, VW of America’s executive vice president for group quality, said that the few conventional naturally aspirated engines the company sells will eventually be replaced with forced induction engines. “You have to have a turbo these days,” Trahan told The Detroit News. “We only have one normally aspirated gas engine, and when we go to the next generation vehicle that it’s in, it will be replaced. So three, four years maximum.”
Trahan’s comments follow on the heels of remarks by Joe Bakaj, Ford Motor Co. vice president of powertrain engineering, who said that naturally aspirated engines could may see their end in Ford’s lineup.
“At some point in the future that will be an option,” he said. Bakaj did say that hybrid vehicles, which pair conventional gas engines with electric motors, would be exceptions. Ford has invested heavily in its EcoBoost line of turbocharged engines and it has also advertised the EcoBoost brand heavily as combining the power of larger displacement engines with the fuel economy of smaller motors. Analysts estimate that 3 million vehicles will be sold in the U.S. this year equipped with turbocharged engines, up from 2.1 million last year."
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/09/natural-aspiration-expiration-at-vw-will-go-all-turbo-within-four-years-ford-may-too/#more-522521
"but Ford has figured out how to squeeze pushrod-style low-end torque out of an SOHC motor"
sounds good to write...but meanwhile, the Ford 5.4 SOHC had 40 ft-lbs more than the GM 5.3 pushrod.
I drive a 5.3, but c'mon... low-end torque isn't and never was an issue with big OHC motors.
I will take my Ecoboost V6 up against that Ecotec 6.2L any day of the week. Why the hell would I spend my money on a 6.2L that I can only get in higher trim Chevy with 420 hp and JUST 460 lb-ft when I can get 420 hp and 530lb-ft from just $400. This thing has been tuned since 5K and had put a lot of hard miles of pulling 10K for long distances for the last 80k miles with no hiccup. You can keep all those 6.X liters, and I will stick with my 7.0L+ effective displacement. Whats that? It takes the Ecotec 4,100 rpm to get 460 lb-ft. Please, I get past that before 2,100 rpm without spending an extra $10k plus on an high trimmed truck just to get an overpriced V8 sound.
If there is one thing I like about a SOHC engine vs a traditional OHC engine, it's that having the valves open right off the cam eliminates a lot of moving parts. You get rid of all those pushrods and rockers. In constant high RPM applications they hold up extremely well.
Y'all all tout one test as the end all be all of tests! Lol even tfl stated that the ram was heavier as configured. Everyone shouting that the Chevy is the best is only speculating. Not saying it won't be fastest but point is we just don't know. It cracks me up in the tests that somehow nobody is able to test a 13 MY vs a 13MY. Its always a test of brand x 2013 against brand x 2015. I think the only thing that should be tested or matched up is whatever is available at the time of the test. Putc is testing an f450 against a 3500. Why not a 350 against a 3500 or an f450 against a 4500. We all know that 450's and 4500's have different rear ends. How about they do a test on maintaining hwy speeds on 7% grades. How many of y'all have ever took 20,000lbs and stopped at the bottom of a 7% grade and then floored it all the way up hill? We can all speculate as to what brand x y or z might have in 2 years. Its a joke at best!
@Lou lol you TROLL! Just wait for the 2014 Chevy 6.2 half ton to smoke Ram and Ford in the next halfton shootout and the 2015 Chevy HD will smoke the other two in the next 3/4 ton shootout, that's a FACT. Anyone that thinks a twin turbo turd V6 is a better choice than a REAL v8 for the long haul is an idiot. GM, doesn't put cars enignes in trucks like Ford does, that's another FACT.
@ALL1 General Motors has slated the new engine to go into the all-new 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan where it will offer 420 horsepower and 430 pounds-feet of torque (click here for the press release). We'll assume this engine could also fit nicely into a 2014 Silverado or Sierra (and probably several other GM products) as well, and give GM a chance to go head-to-head with the V-6 EcoBoost.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/03/half-tons-gain-power-mileage.html
Ford vs. GM: Twin-Turbo Showdown
In the same way the engine first is put to work in a Cadillac, we fully expect the first pickup truck to grab the premium V-6 to be the GMC Sierra, possibly a new Sierra Denali 1500. Although we've heard no official confirmation from GM, there are several reasons why this is a no-brainer.
Even the test data GM provided in its Cadillac CTS press release noted the new 3.6-liter motor would have a relatively flat (we'll assume at least 90 percent) torque curve from 2,500 rpm to 5,500 rpm. For towing performance in particular, it is a huge advantage to have that much of the available torque accessible in a lower and wider range of engine speeds. Not surprisingly, those characteristics are more in line with big-hauling, heavy-duty turbo-diesel engines like the Cummins, Power Stroke and Duramax.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/03/ford-vs-gm-twin-turbo-showdown.html
@truth - or is that the "truth according to GMC"?????
Have I said anywhere that the EB 3.5 is going to be better than the 6.2 Ecotec?
All I said is Ford is looking at putting a turbo on everything and going to smaller engines.
Learn to read.................. or maybe learn to comprehend what you read!
GMC has no plans on using a TTDI V6 in a pickup. The rumour about the Cadillac V6 you mention has been floating around for a few years now.
I was surprised that GMC did not put it in a pickup. The fact that they didn't tells me that they have no plans of doing so. Their press releases have said that if you want "economy" get a Colorado, if you want performance and capability get a 1500. (That is a loose paraphrase so don't drop a lifter)
If you want a fanboy point of view, just stick to reading your own posts.
@TruthShoulda, woulda, coulda. Get back with us when GM finally puts that engine in a half ton, mmk. Until then, GM does not have an answer. All the tuners from Superchips, SCT, to Livernois say that Ford left A LOT left in the Ecoboost power wise while still being within parameters to tow. That is why there are so much to gain with just a tune. Some tuners say it is to keep up emissions while others say they also sand bagged it to raise power later. Also, the aftermarket is just now coming out with larger turbos and intercooler for Ecoboost. The turbos are a little over $3000 for the pair(stock turbos are a little over $1000 a set), larger intercooler is about $1,200, and bigger high-pressure fuel pump is about $600. This isn't bad considering your average supercharger kit starts at $6,000. There is already some posting 600hp at the wheels with the engine still being able to handle it due to it's forged internals and stout bottom end. One has not popped yet, but I am kind of anxious to see one blow just to see how much the stock internals can withstand
Stop being jealous with your hate.
Chevy offers THE most innovative cargo box in its class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBXfT1ciDHc
More towing than Ford and Ram 1500
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tmghjOMpTA&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL19CFF0D0E9DED54B
Best Pickup Coverage. Beats both Ford and Ram.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMsr6bPZB9g&list=PL19CFF0D0E9DED54B
" the biggest Hemi ever put in a recent Chrysler truck - a new 6.4-liter gasoline brute coming next year in the Ram 2500 Heavy Duty "
Oh boy, can't wait to get my hands on that new Power Wagon with legendary 392 Hemi power. With those 4:56 gears ripping up what ever is under them. ;)
P.S. There is no replacement for displacement.
All Guts
All Glory
Class leading Hemi
Chrysler and Dodge's first V8
These V8s all look okay. Diesel will be cheaper for a working truck.
But I have to concur with Lou about the future of these kinds of engines.
The Eco Boost should actually be measured against one of these larger V8s.
How many Eco Boosts do Ford sell? Also look at Range Rover, they sell V6 supercharged vehicles. The current Range Rovers are a legacy of Ford's influence before they were sold to Tata.
Turbo's are the future. They offer car manufacturers room for improvement and better FE than a V8.
I read that Fiat is only going to allow one Hemi V8, I don't know which one. But Chrysler have also looked a the Pentastar in V8 from. Why not? Pentastar should give at least 5% FE than the current Hemi's.
Ford is going to have only one V8 on offer eventually as well and I would hazard to guess it will be the Coyote, also supercharged. I suppose it will take the place of the really large engines and be used in performance vehicles like we use them here in some Falcon utes and cars.
How many years out? I don't know, but I would think within half a decade.
@Dodgeguy95
You're PoS Hemi can't outrun anything. Check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZdnXvOcSuQ
Ford 6.2L was the speed king in this test, The 6.4L Hemi just BARELY beat GM's old 6.0L V8.
@Figgernarts.
Can you read? Did you go look up the video on this website? Not trying to be rude but the5.7 hemi did beat the 6.2's gigs you guys are touchy about this. I think it it 51 from the top in pickuptrucks.com's videos go watch it then you can cuz me out... Hey Mark Williams are these the guys you were talking about in that post about shutting down the comments....I say do it man disrespectful people on here it's getting crazy. Did u cuz or call truck **** no I did not. Why you ask because this is a public site that kids could look at. Act like a grown man not a ****** off teenager please sir,
o brush up on your Hemi history. there's a reason the Hemi is different...here ill try to help you H-E-M-I
Posted by: Dodgeguy95 | Sep 29, 2013 5:58:59 PM
give me an H
give me an E
give me a M
give me an I
What's that spell?
@Mark Williams, for GM the math is pretty simple: charge an extra thousand dollars or so for the same engine with a larger bore/stroke. The cost of building the 6.2 is probably the same as the 5.3 As your writeup states, pure profit.
Speaking for myself, I only drive, at most, 10k miles per year so the extra displacement equals cheap power on tap whenever I want it.
For someone who does a lot of highway driving in flat country, the variable displacement system on the hemi and the GM engines add a lot of flexibility at a low cost. Someone who lives in hilly country will see the difference at the gas pump but will appreciate the extra grunt.
Big gas V8s make a lot of sense for someone who has an occasional need for the extra power without the extra cost and complexity of diesel or turbo.
Oh my!!!!
This topic has me all hot and bothered so early in the morning!!!!!!!!
GM's V-8 clear winner, Ford needs DOD and Ram didn't even show up, largest engine with poorest results.....Fail.
Just for the sake of comparason:
Manufacturer: Toyota
Name: iForce
Displacement: 5.7 liters
Horsepower: 381 @5,600 RPM
Torque: 401 @ 3,600
Valves: 32
Valvetrain: DOHC
Cylinder deactivation: No
Flex fuel: Yes
Alternator: 150 Amps (Tow package)
Block: Aluminum
Head: Aluminum
Powertrain warranty: 6 years/60,000 miles
Available in: Toyota Land Cruiser, Sequoia, and Tundra
Also note that the 6.2 Ford motor has the Raptor specs, I belive the 6.2 superduty only has ~380 horsepower.
ALL GUTS
ALL GLORY
100% DESTROYING THE COMPETITION
FORD AND GM AREN'T EVEN CLOSE
MAKING THE COMPETITION AND FANBOIS CRY
RAM
One correctino to Toyota's 5.7, the warranty is *5 years/60,000 miles*
@TruthHa ha ha. You actually believe GM's tow ratings. The boys over at TFLTruck already have a 3.42 ratio Ecotec 5.3L scheduled to go up the Ike Gauntlet to test this magic tow of 9,600 lbs. This will be real world testing to see if it can hold speed on a real road. Not some test ground with a short hill doing 0-40 mph. IMHO, a truck should be able to hold the speed limit with weight it was rated to tow or at least 5 mph below. The last 2014 Chevy Ecotec 5.3L they tested could not even hold 50 mph going up a hill towing under the weight GM rated it for. That truck had a 3.08 rear gear because that was what GM sent them, but the point is that it could not do what GM said it could. Come on guy, all fan boy love aside, anybody that tows can tell if a truck can tow it's rated weight just by looking it's engine specs, transmission specs, and rear gear ratio. I can understand if you cannot plainly see it if you don't tow that much or have towed with that many different truck configurations. I have no doubt this Ecotec 6.2L can tow at least 11,000 lbs, but there is not a snow balls chance in hell that an Ecotec 5.3L with a 3.42 gear ratio will tow 9,500 lbs up the Ike pass without being within 10 mph of the speed limit. Believe what GM tells you all you want, but those are there for them to look good on paper for those ignorant people that do not know.
@All American The 6.2 isn't going into the 2015 HD's. They're sticking with the 6.0. Gm HD gassers will have to stick with 3rd place it looks like :D
@Truth Isn't the 6.2 in the trucks the vette engine? Why yes, it is! Iguess GM does put car engines in trucks! :D
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