V8 or V6....need advice?!?!

Ram with a V6 or V8


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    117
  • Poll closed .

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Gixxer750

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Location
N. Idaho
Ram Year
2015_2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7
We’ve got a v6 short bed cc where I work that’s used as a parts getter. I drove it home one night and I thought it ran pretty good for a gasoline engine. I was shocked when I realized there were no hemi badges on it. A modern v6 is nothing like a v6 from the 90’s! But as I mentioned earlier the torque is where you’ll notice the difference and the amount of rpm’s the v6 requires to make its peak horsepower. As far as just driving down the road the v6 is plenty for a truck with factory sized tires.
Are we talking a brand new 6 cylinder, I may have hummed the gun a little, but the etorque flight *w/e they are calling them* has a noticeable boost in the launch capability of the trucks. However, I can't speak for the hill climb capability. I would assume it would have the same effect in not having to rap out the rpms to get to your torque peak, otherwise whats the point of getting started just to stall on the first incline?
I will second the statement about the older magnums, I had the 4.6 in my 99 Dakota. And a 4.6 in my 98 mustang GT. I wouldn't tow a pair of snowmobiles with that mustang....but in the Ford domain, original 5.0 vs new 5.0. It only doubled in horsepower....the science of air and fuel, in spite of regulations. Imagine if the epa disappeared overnight.
Remember the "does it have a Hemi" commercials, racing while towing lol. I do that to the nuggets in their Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. - the trailer, the truck will walk all over a s4 v8.... the point could be made that I may have tampered with the car before hand....

IMG_20200531_093538.jpg
 

ArmyGrunt66

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Jul 9, 2020
Posts
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Location
Corpus Christi, Texas
Ram Year
2009
Engine
5.7 Hemi
IMHO

I weighed the cost of a Hemi and 4x4 to a Hemi and a 4x2 to a V6. I figured this will be my last truck that I’ll own and will never sell it. I was leaving Oklahoma to be stationed in a desert, Ft Bliss, Tx as well, I’ve used my 4x4 four times in 11+ years, just to have it available in a just in case situation was the final piece, just my 2 cents.

Kevin
 

Oilfieldman

Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Posts
76
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107
Location
Wv
Ram Year
2018
Engine
Cummins 6.7
Are we talking a brand new 6 cylinder, I may have hummed the gun a little, but the etorque flight *w/e they are calling them* has a noticeable boost in the launch capability of the trucks. However, I can't speak for the hill climb capability. I would assume it would have the same effect in not having to rap out the rpms to get to your torque peak, otherwise whats the point of getting started just to stall on the first incline?
I will second the statement about the older magnums, I had the 4.6 in my 99 Dakota. And a 4.6 in my 98 mustang GT. I wouldn't tow a pair of snowmobiles with that mustang....but in the Ford domain, original 5.0 vs new 5.0. It only doubled in horsepower....the science of air and fuel, in spite of regulations. Imagine if the epa disappeared overnight.
Remember the "does it have a Hemi" commercials, racing while towing lol. I do that to the nuggets in their Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. - the trailer, the truck will walk all over a s4 v8.... the point could be made that I may have tampered with the car before hand....

View attachment 223661
I meant that the modern v6’s run wayyy better than an older v6
 

RLJ10X

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Jun 17, 2014
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Location
Southern Indiana
Ram Year
2011
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I don't know if this is a fair comparison or not, draw your own conclusion.

I have a 2014 Wrangler, Pentastar, 6 speed manual transmission. 3.73 rear end. It is in effect, actually "geared" lower than my Ram with 4.10s.

I have a 6 foot by 10 foot, 7 feet tall, enclosed motorcycle trailer. It'll hold 36 bales of straw, which I figure weigh about 1260+ pounds; plus the trailer weighs 1200 pounds. So total weight is about 2500 pounds. But, you have to factor in a little bit of wind resistance. I've pulled this loaded trailer with both vehicles, same travel path.

Here in southern Indiana, it's hilly. The Wrangler/Pentastar does "just fine", in that it will get the job done. I'm a big Pentastar fan. But on it's best day it, doesn't hold a candle to a 5.7 if you're really going to work it.

Horse power and torque are just two factors in the equation. Mechanical advantage, leverage, or in this case, rear end gears, to me is HUGE. Always, always, get the lowest rear end gears possible. The difference in fuel cost between a 3.21 and a 3.92 in minuscule when given the overall cost of owning a vehicle. But the difference in performance is a lot. *Thats just my opinion. Feel free to disagree.
 

Murphy Slaw

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Oct 7, 2016
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Location
Southern Illinois
Ram Year
2016 Bighorn 4X4 Crew
Engine
5.7
I absolutely LOVE my hemi. However.....

I think I read a thread here about a Pentastar V6 with WAY over 300,000 miles with just oil changes, plugs, etc.

I don't think there is a Hemi thread about THAT.
 

FL-RAM

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Sep 10, 2020
Posts
424
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487
Location
PENSACOLA, FL
Ram Year
2022 Bighorn Night Edition
Engine
V8
I don't think anyone is arguing which is better at towing. If you plan to tow a lot, get the V8. No contest. That's an easy decision. The V6 can tow just fine, but the V8 is simply better at hauling loads. If you don't need max hauling power, the V6 is probably the ideal combination of power, fuel efficiency, reliability, and longevity.

This is my first Ram, but I have owned several Jeeps over the years (3 Wranglers and 2 Grand Cherokees). My wife currently has a 2018 GC Overland. Never had a bit of trouble with the engines. Their engines are known for being bulletproof.
 
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PoMansRam

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Apr 30, 2018
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Location
East Aurora NY
Ram Year
2019
Engine
Hemi
I absolutely LOVE my hemi. However.....

I think I read a thread here about a Pentastar V6 with WAY over 300,000 miles with just oil changes, plugs, etc.

I don't think there is a Hemi thread about THAT.

More than double that. That pentastar had over 600k miles and the only things worn were the cam drive chains and chain guides.

*EDIT- As much as I loved both my pentastar powered Ram AND my current Hemi powered one, I don't believe you'd ever see a Hemi go that far. I believe It's the price you pay for ~400hp. Shorter lifespan. Something has got to give.
 
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