Choosing Your Diesel Truck Engine

When shopping for a new pickup truck, you may have noticed that the use of diesel engines is growing in popularity. Truck drivers in the Bloomington-Normal area have more options than ever. So how do you decide which is right for you? Below, we have provided a guide to some of the top diesel engines currently available. See which one is best suited to your driving needs.

Difference Between Diesel vs. Gas Engines

• With a gasoline engine, fuel and air are mixed together before being compressed by pistons and ignited by spark plugs.
• With a diesel engine, the air is first compressed before the fuel is injected. The fuel ignites because it heats up as it is being compressed.

Diesel engines and gasoline engines both feature a four-stroke combustion cycle, however diesel engines do not use spark plugs like gasoline engines. Now that you know a little more about the difference between diesel vs. gas engines, let’s take a closer look at some of the top diesel engines on the market.

High-Output 6.7L Cummins V8

If you plan to do a lot of towing, you may want to look into the 6.7L Cummins, available on the RAM 3500, kicking the towing capabilities up to 35,100 pounds:

• Power — 400 hp @ 3,200 RPM
• Torque — 1,000 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM
• Valvetrain — DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder
• Induction — Holset M2 two-stage compound turbochargers

Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8

For impressive fuel economy and plenty of power, check out a Silverado HD with the Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8:

• Power — 445 hp @ 2,800 RPM
• Torque — 910 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM
• Valvetrain — OHV 4-valves per cylinder
• Induction — Garrett variable-geometry turbocharger

Ford 6.7L Power Stroke V8

Upgraded for the 2020 model year with a 36,000 PSI fuel-injection system, the Ford 6.7L Power Stroke can be found on the latest Ford Super Duty trucks, delivering up to 37,000 pounds of towing.

• Power — 475 hp @ 2,600 RPM
• Torque — 1050 lb-ft @1,600 RPM
• Valvetrain — OHV with 4 valves per cylinder
• Induction — Garrett single variable-geometry turbocharger

Why Choose Diesel?

Why are more and more manufacturers offering diesel engines in their lineups? Diesel engines:

• Are easy to maintain
• They deliver more power from fuel
• Offer superior torque at lower RPMs

Now that diesel fuel is relatively close to gasoline fuel in price, the fuel economy savings that come with diesel mean it’s often the better choice for drivers who need pure hauling power.

Learn More About Diesel Engines with Sam Leman Automotive Group

If you would like to know more about how the best diesel engine options can improve your daily drive, contact the experts at Sam Leman Automotive Group. Work smarter, not harder, with some of the best truck engine options currently on the market. We’re also here to discuss other truck topics like GVWR.