[Trav]

well boys.. im gettin myself a new truck.. trying out dodge this time.. but im stuck between the hemi and the cummins.. diesel will be better milege and cheaper fuel em i not right??? but the difference between the hemi is 345hp and 375 tq the diesel is putting out 250hp and 460tq.. now wut motor would be eaiser to sqeeze more power out of? with the turbo u can turn the boost up a bit right? then u can use computer chips with both? exhuast is gona be the first thing i do.. but i no in the long run i'm gona want a bit more power.. i no this isnt really hot rodding.. i don't think any hot rodders put diesels in there rides.. but i no these days those motors can really rip with tuning.. i'v seen dully's light em up nicely with mudders on.. just asking for your guys opionin if u got time.. if not just ignore this thread. Thought i would add... the only reason i'm thinkin of going with the diesel is because they don't make a hemi in 5 spd standard.. and i absoluty get bored driving auto.. and the diesel comes with the power and 5 speed.. but for a price difference.. thanx for any help/ opinions

[DoubleVision]

Why I wouldn`t go with the diesel route is, they rev slow, they don`t rev higher than 3 grand, and there noisy. they last a lot longer than a gas engine, and they make more torque. But I`ve read online your not suppose to make mods to the new Hemi`s exhuast, I can`t remember where i read it, and the aftermarket has been slow about adding performance parts for it, but I`m sure in time they`ll be more to offer. these are just my opinions.

[81elcamino]

i believe the new cummins are 305hp and 555ft lbs, get one of those hypertech programmers and bigger exhaust and your unstoppable

[Jmark]

The Ford and Chevy V8 diesels run circles around the 6 cyl Cummins. My son works on all 3 and agrees. I"d imagine when Dodges' purchasing contract runs out with Ford on the Cummins, they will go V8 or something even better.

[gpeak]

If i had the money, all the "cool" points would be on one truck. So, two words and two cents.........HEMI-TRUCK!!!

[Robinson Robin]

The cummins diesel is the finest diesel that is available in a light truck although it doesn't make as much hp as the new ford it is definitely the most reliable, they are bullet proof tested tried and true and are the only one still using a cast iron head. Weather I would go diesel or not really depends on the type of driving you want to do. Diesels are best on the high ways wheres gas engines are better for stop and go driving. Personally I'd definitely go with the cummins

[81elcamino]

the cummins is a proven motor thats what makes it so great

wait 10 years and see if the powerstroke and duramax can prove themselves

[akm]

please don't get one of those OVER RATED 5.7L hemi's. (go drive one and you will see)
go with the diesel. dodge has the best on the market right now.

[77nova64]

There was a post on here not to long ago about a guy that called flowmaster and flowmaster said that modifying the hemi's exhaust will cause it to lose around 20hp. I dont know about the Cummins, but my brother has a 2003 silverado with a duramax and that thing has major power, and can easily be upgraded to have a ton more. On trucks! they had a duramax and showed a lot of upgrades u can do to it. 300hp and 520ftlbs aight to shabby

[Centerline]

Originally posted by akm
please don't get one of those OVER RATED 5.7L hemi's. (go drive one and you will see)
go with the diesel. dodge has the best on the market right now.

As a 5.7 Hemi owner I have to disagree, but that's another argument.

I would suggest two things. Diesels do not get better mileage than gas engines UNLESS your trips are consistently over 30 minutes in length. It takes that long for a diesel to throughly warm up and they don't get good mileage till they're warm no matter what brand they are.

Second, for the extra $5000 the diesel costs you can do a lot with your hemi truck to improve performance, not that it really needs it.

I was faced with the same problem when I bought my wife her Hemi Ram. Just couldn't justify the extra $5000. Glad I decided against it cause even though its a quad cab and 4WD it runs circles around most Ford and Chevy 2WD half tons on the road. With the exception of the Lightning, where I have to admit that in stock form the Lightning has the edge.

Centerline
http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com

[Auto-Part]

I would go with the new Ford F-150 now that is a truck. Eventhough I am not a Ford Guy But that F-150 is a real winner. Hats off to the Ford Guys on a great Job One

[Trav]

hmm well this is tuff... some say diesel some say hemi.. well i do all types of driving.. mainly just in town stop and go.. i guess diesel fuel isnt gona be much cheaper any more.... and if u say the mileage isnt that much of a difference.. especially until its warmed up... then i think im better off with the hemi.. but this whole thing about the exhaust?? i'd like to get more info on that.. cuz i wanted to do dual exhaust first thing.. with loudest mufflers i can find.. since im gona leave the cats in.... but that scares me.. 20 hp is a big loose!

[Rubberman2003]

Well we have a 2002 Ram 2500 with the turboed 5.9 diesel. We love the thing, has TONS of torque, gets decent MPG. Sure its not fast but it will pull anything, it is a bit noisy, it all depends what you want it for. THe hemi trucks are really fast (for i a truck i guess) but still not fast. With some bullydog stuff you can get some INSANE power from that diesel. I say go with Diesel.

[machine shop tom]

Who cares? They all are just headlights behind me!!

[syclone]

The new Hemi has a proven catback exhaust on a chassis dyno already. Not sure who makes it but it was on trucks and stacey strap it to a dyno with a increase. I thought about the HEMI myself but I am a chevy guy so I really wanted to see the proof in these trucks before I set down 30 grand. I test drove many different ones with them all being quad cab which I DO NOT want. And the fact that the HEMI ONLY COMES WITH AN AUTO TRANNY SUCKS. There are a couple in town and I have run against and dusted 2 of them with my silverado. Granted my truck is not stock but I am only pushing around 320hp and have no worries about running another one. The only stock truck that is a proven hp giant is the lightning(been beat by 1 of these) The deisel has drawbacks also with more money, slow revving and being noisy.
My suggestion to you would be to find a dealership that will allow you to take one for the weekend and see how you feel with it.
BUT THE HEMI'S SURE DO SOUND NICE AND MELLOW WHEN WINDING OUT