Sport45 wrote:

It's all about perception.

Do we worry about how fast the turbocharger spins? No, because they were designed to go fast. The engines we use are not all designed to operate in the same rpm range. The diesel isn't better because it makes power at a lower rpm and it isn't worse because it runs ot of rpm's quickly.

I don't consider one engine to be good and the other to be bad. Each has its place. If I thought I needed a diesel I would certainly have bought one by now. In fact, if I could find a small Perkins or Cat at a good price I think it would be great fit for our F-100 with AOD and 3.55 gears. We did wear out that 302 after 29 years and almost 300,000 miles. It'd probably still be going except it went off to college and the oil level was ignored for too long...

64thunderbolt wrote:

I will still extend my invitation for anyone with a gasser & similar wgt trailer to come tow with me in the mtns in Az. When finished we can compare towing speed/rpm and fuel milage. The gasser will fail in all catagories.

spud57 wrote:



For it to be fair it has to be stock vs. stock. My stock 6.8 gasser 362hp/457tq and your stock 7.3 diesel 235hp/500tq. Yep, you'll burn a bit less fuel but I'd be curious who'd be at the top first. RPM comparing is irrelevant. Let both engines do what they were designed to do without all the "aftermarket" add-ons.

I'm not suggesting that I would beat the 7.3 stock because I don't know.

jevanb wrote:

I can go to stock tune and I have 360/650 bet i can get their faster

Hannibal wrote:

Twice the rpm means you're running 2:1 gearing over the other truck meaning the engine is working half as hard to do the same job. In reality, a comparable gasser runs 30% higher rpm and uses 30% more fuel to do the same job. They both suck down fuel like iced tea on a hot day. Twice the wear is measuring PPM of wear metals in UOA's. Using tuners to force more torque out of a small diesel engine so you can tow in a lower gear is making the engine work harder, not easier. I like most here don't plan on keeping a pickup truck long enough to wear out an engine gas or diesel so it's pretty irrelevant anyhow.

64thunderbolt wrote:

my take is any eng is only good for so many revolutions till the wear takes it's life. If I can turn my 7.3 23/2400 rpm with heavy wgt getting 11.5 mpg doing it the life and cost will be better than a 5000 rpm gasser struggling and getting 7/8 mpg.

My invitation still stands. Bring your gasser and we will both pull my trailer and compare speed, time and mpg on some steep grades. Just remember my diesel gets better milage tuned that it does stock.

And try some of the new diesels @ 400hp and 800 lb ft.