Well now... V8 Hemi-Powered Ram 1500 is back

[Jeff1024]

8:1 compression on the marine big blocks, they are made to last and make their torque very lazily. Everything is cast iron, pretty resilient engines.

Even the current day Mercruiser version of this engine (8.2L now) is still 8.75:1 compression. You also lose much less power through a sterndrive or single speed transmission than through a cars slushbox transmission. Sterndrives are typically rated at the prop too, not the crank so it’s like wheel horsepower. 350 HP is truly 350 HP of force being applied to the water, no marketing trickery like with cars.

Not to totally derail the thread...but its an interesting topic.

Volvo and Merc are the two largest stern drive engine manufactures and have taken two very different paths. Back in they day they both used GM Blocks. When GM stopped making the 8.1 they had a decision on their hands.

Merc purchased the 8.1 Tooling from GM, and started making the 8.2 Big Block in house which is still in production today. As you noted it is by in large uncharged, still just a big 8.2 Cast Iron block with Multi Port Fuel Injection. They offer it in a 380hp and 430hp version with the difference being some ECU changes and a Cam Change.

Volvo went the other way and continued to source engines from GM. They now offer a 6.2 based power package, same 380/430hp options, again due to ECU changes and a Cam difference. Where it gets interesting is since Volvo is basing their marine engines off modern GM blocks they have things like Variable Vale Timing, direct injection and are also higher compression.

Same power output, two very different ways of getting there. Having driven both they are both really solid power packages. The largest difference is the 6.2 has to rev considerably higher to make power as compared to the 8.2. There is something to be said about just rolling along at 3.000rpm as compared to almost 4,200rpm for the same speed in the 6.2. The mid range torque in the 8.2 is also insane, I can throw people back in the boat with just a little bump in the throttle almost anywhere in the RPM range.

While I love the Ecoboost in my truck I still think boats should have big simple pushrod V8's. It took some searching, but so glad we held off for the 8.2

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[Samson16]

I prefer engines that have no hybrid gobbledeegook on it. Hopefully GM will sort out the new V8 BEFORE putting any hybrid tech on it. Even still, I'm a Ford guy vs a "V8" guy, and even better if it's a Ford V8, lol. Ford is doing EXTENSIVE R&D on the Coyotes across various race series. It's a great engine, tbh.

For you PB guys, when comparing V6s to V8s and claiming trumps on 0-60 times over the Coyote trucks, that's apples to oranges. The real comparison is the normal Ecoboost fellas. Yours is not a straight comparison. Sorry. And that's the gist of this whole thread. The new Dodge turbo v6 is not desirable in the Ram vs the hemi.

I don’t plug my truck in. It runs on gas just like the others. I understand being adverse to complexity, and I took the risk hoping to reap the utility benefits. So far so good ?

 

[Dakar09]

It still has added power via an electric motor. Running on gas is the end of the comparison to the Coyote, imo.

 

[Dakar09]

Not to totally derail the thread...but its an interesting topic.

Volvo and Merc are the two largest stern drive engine manufactures and have taken two very different paths. Back in they day they both used GM Blocks. When GM stopped making the 8.1 they had a decision on their hands.

Merc purchased the 8.1 Tooling from GM, and started making the 8.2 Big Block in house which is still in production today. As you noted it is by in large uncharged, still just a big 8.2 Cast Iron block with Multi Port Fuel Injection. They offer it in a 380hp and 430hp version with the difference being some ECU changes and a Cam Change.

Volvo went the other way and continued to source engines from GM. They now offer a 6.2 based power package, same 380/430hp options, again due to ECU changes and a Cam difference. Where it gets interesting is since Volvo is basing their marine engines off modern GM blocks they have things like Variable Vale Timing, direct injection and are also higher compression.

Same power output, two very different ways of getting there. Having driven both they are both really solid power packages. The largest difference is the 6.2 has to rev considerably higher to make power as compared to the 8.2. There is something to be said about just rolling along at 3.000rpm as compared to almost 4,200rpm for the same speed in the 6.2. The mid range torque in the 8.2 is also insane, I can throw people back in the boat with just a little bump in the throttle almost anywhere in the RPM range.

While I love the Ecoboost in my truck I still think boats should have big simple pushrod V8's. It took some searching, but so glad we held off for the 8.2

I didn't know Volvo was still sourcing new V8s from GM! And I agree, the less complexity in a marine engine, the better. I also agree that a big block is an entirely different experience than modern small blocks. The 390 FE in my Galaxie has just GOBS of torque off the line amd doesn't need to rev that high to get it moving really well. The same applies to boats for me. Crack the throttle and use that almost immediate torque to get the prop spinning

 

[roadPilot]

Geez, that's lame. I guess if they don't know about the production limit they're bound to assume it was the market speaking.

"It's the government, stupid."

CAFE requirements dictate a lot of what is manufactured and sold.

 

[JCsTruck]

Is that the 3.3L? Awww… don’t pick on the little guy that just works hard and minds his own business. Pick on me!

Look again at the pictures and specifically the writing in red. ???
?

 

[Samson16]

Look again at the pictures and specifically the writing in red. ???
?

I see the red lettering now! In my defense, you do have a nice truck and it’s grill distracted me ?

 

[24Carbon150]

The problem with all this talk about newer bigger V8’s like GM replacing or upgrading the 6.2 is making a truck that can do what the current turbo boosted V6’s can power wise , not require 93 octane and still achieve 20+ mpg on the highway. Niche trucks are intriguing but not something for the masses.

Regardless of Quirks. The new Ram TT engine blows the 5.7 away.
The Tundra 3.4TT blows away the 5.7 V-8 that preceded it.
The ford 5.0 can’t outperform the 3.5 Eco or PB without adding thousands of dollars in upgrades.

Its tough to beat new technology engines though it comes with a cost.

 

[JExpedition07]

Not to totally derail the thread...but its an interesting topic.

Volvo and Merc are the two largest stern drive engine manufactures and have taken two very different paths. Back in they day they both used GM Blocks. When GM stopped making the 8.1 they had a decision on their hands.

Merc purchased the 8.1 Tooling from GM, and started making the 8.2 Big Block in house which is still in production today. As you noted it is by in large uncharged, still just a big 8.2 Cast Iron block with Multi Port Fuel Injection. They offer it in a 380hp and 430hp version with the difference being some ECU changes and a Cam Change.

Volvo went the other way and continued to source engines from GM. They now offer a 6.2 based power package, same 380/430hp options, again due to ECU changes and a Cam difference. Where it gets interesting is since Volvo is basing their marine engines off modern GM blocks they have things like Variable Vale Timing, direct injection and are also higher compression.

Same power output, two very different ways of getting there. Having driven both they are both really solid power packages. The largest difference is the 6.2 has to rev considerably higher to make power as compared to the 8.2. There is something to be said about just rolling along at 3.000rpm as compared to almost 4,200rpm for the same speed in the 6.2. The mid range torque in the 8.2 is also insane, I can throw people back in the boat with just a little bump in the throttle almost anywhere in the RPM range.

While I love the Ecoboost in my truck I still think boats should have big simple pushrod V8's. It took some searching, but so glad we held off for the 8.2

The low rpm is nice, 2600 rpm keeps my Formula up on plane with the Bravo One. Did a full tune up today, just finally getting out of the bilge now! Did rotor, cap, wires, plugs, fuel filter, oil change, oil filter.

 

[Jeff1024]

I didn't know Volvo was still sourcing new V8s from GM! And I agree, the less complexity in a marine engine, the better. I also agree that a big block is an entirely different experience than modern small blocks. The 390 FE in my Galaxie has just GOBS of torque off the line amd doesn't need to rev that high to get it moving really well. The same applies to boats for me. Crack the throttle and use that almost immediate torque to get the prop spinning

The low rpm is nice, 2600 rpm keeps my Formula up on plane with the Bravo One. Did a full tune up today, just finally getting out of the bilge now! Did rotor, cap, wires, plugs, fuel filter, oil change, oil filter.

Nicely done, some stuff is so easy to get to in boats, other stuff requires you to bend into such weird positions in the bilge I gladly let someone else do it.

Obviously super boat and hull dependent, but we were dong 32mph across the lake at 2850rpm last weekend. We do have a Bravo 3, lake was glass and it was trimmed way up, just me and my wife and about 1/2 a tank of gas, but still was surprised to see the garmin show that kind of speed. Love the big block.

 

[Dakar09]

The problem with all this talk about newer bigger V8’s like GM replacing or upgrading the 6.2 is making a truck that can do what the current turbo boosted V6’s can power wise , not require 93 octane and still achieve 20+ mpg on the highway. Niche trucks are intriguing but not something for the masses.

Regardless of Quirks. The new Ram TT engine blows the 5.7 away.
The Tundra 3.4TT blows away the 5.7 V-8 that preceded it.
The ford 5.0 can’t outperform the 3.5 Eco or PB without adding thousands of dollars in upgrades.

Its tough to beat new technology engines though it comes with a cost.

Maybe best to wait to see just how durable, reliable, or value-retaining these engines are in the future before we sing their praises? On paper, these look great, not everything is about "stats".

The new Toyota engines aren't exactly thrilling people with performance or reliability. The new Ram TT engine will likely not do so either. And the 5.0 can hang very well with the EB. Again, the PB is a different beast and doesn't belong in this comparison. It adds more cost, a lot more weight, and more parts that can go wrong.

Besides, there's not replacement for displacement

 

[JExpedition07]

Nicely done, some stuff is so easy to get to in boats, other stuff requires you to bend into such weird positions in the bilge I gladly let someone else do it.

Obviously super boat and hull dependent, but we were dong 32mph across the lake at 2850rpm last weekend. We do have a Bravo 3, lake was glass and it was trimmed way up, just me and my wife and about 1/2 a tank of gas, but still was surprised to see the garmin show that kind of speed. Love the big block.

For some reason in my Formula they only put the Bravo 3 behind the small block 5.7. For the big block 7.4 the Bravo 1 is the only combo Formula offered. I loved the hole shot of the B3 in my uncles Chris Craft Corsair.

 

[Jeff1024]

For some reason in my Formula they only put the Bravo 3 behind the small block 5.7. For the big block 7.4 the Bravo 1 is the only combo Formula offered. I loved the hole shot of the B3 in my uncles Chris Craft Corsair.

I'm in no way a prop engineer but as I understand it the single prop alpha's are faster top end but give up hole shot to the dual prop B3's. I would guess formula said the big block planed out ok /w the Alpha and wanted the top end speed vs the 5.7 that needed the dual props to help get up on plane. Totally a guess who knows, but maybe?

Even more complex our older cobalt was a Merc 6.2 / B3 combo with two different sized props front and rear, Im sure there is science behind it, just am not sure what it is. Our new cobalt is a 8.2 Merc / B3 with the same size prop front and back.....again no idea?

The B3 def gets the boat out of the water but the best part is how responsive it is around the dock, it pushes so much water it makes slow speed moving in the marina or a slip so much easier than a single prop. Now that I have had one no way I would go back to a single.

 

[JCsTruck]

The Ram 3.0 straight six has been a disaster with numerous reliability issues that have left some owners with a sour taste in their mouths and it has dismal sales so far. It is an impressive performer though when it does work.

The Toyota 3.4 twin turbo V6 has been an even bigger disappointment with numerous major engine failures and recalls. Not exactly a good showing for Toyota or this technology. Of all the companies that build trucks I would’ve expected this to be least likely to happen to Toyota, but then again my 2001 Tundra was great until the frame rotted out. The fuel economy of this engine is also dismal.

The Ford 2.7 has actually been a good little engine and serves well as the base power plant in the F-150. Not much to say about this little guy. Sort of reminds me of a book I used to read to my son when he was a wee little lad. It strikes a good balance between fuel economy and power and its also very quiet too.

The Ford 3.5 twin turbo has been a mixed bag with mostly good but some issues like cam phaser failures and some turbo failures, but overall it has been a shining star in the Ford truck engine lineup. Although it tows very well it also drinks fuel at one of the highest rates while towing making it a point to consider if you plan to tow a lot. Like the V8, Ford has had a lot of time to fine tune this engine but it still lags behind the V8 in terms of reliability. When I look at all those hoses running everywhere and those hot turbos I just kind of make this face ?.

The PoewerBoost offers some really nice features especially for camping but its also not an apples to apples comparison to the V8 either. It needs a complicated, heavy, and expensive electric system to boost the performance along with those already complicated turbochargers to force the V6 to make the big power that it does. This unfortunately has resulted in the worst reliability ratings (statistically) among all the F-150 power plants offered which is the price you pay when you have all that technology and stuff to boost the power of a small engine. Interesting but hard pass for me.

The naturally aspirated V8, well it slots in between the 2.7 and 3.5 but is closer to the 3.5 in terms of power and it beats those two engines in terms of fuel economy when towing. Its a reliable and proven engine with impressive power that often makes the favorite engine list of many mechanics and truck enthusiasts when all things are considered, and the sound of a V8, especially one that revs to 7000 RPM is something special. When I look at the simple nature of that engine I ?.

Overall I believe Ford still builds some of the best truck engines out there and I hope they continue to do so. I hope they do not drop that gem of an engine called the coyote, V8. ?

 

[FORDTEXAS]

just that he's the cool guy bringing them back.

are you talking about tim kuniskis?

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