Ram 1500 to get a diesel

yukon25008.1 · February 20, 2013

I don't know much about the ' afm ' I feel its the only way we will ever see another big block, If they made a new version of the 8.1 with afm and it being able to be in 4 cyl mode when not towing it would meet the governments requiremnts.. I really cant see GM dumpng the big block and never making another one..Especially with the history is has, GM has to know theres a huge market for it OR huge group of buyers that don't need a diesel but want more pwr and tq then what the small block offers..

Chris · February 20, 2013

They aren't going to put a 460 HP GDI big block in a truck when the 6.2 will be putting out high numbers. No big block is the reason diesels see good sales. Buyers have the choice of a 350ish HP 6.0L small block or the powerhouse of a 6.6L diesel Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

MikeNH · February 21, 2013

They aren't going to put a 460 HP GDI big block in a truck when the 6.2 will be putting out high numbers. No blog block is the reason diesels see good. Buyers have the choice of a 350ish HP 6.0L small block or the powerhouse of a 6.6L diesel Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

This. Like it or not, the big block is dead. The LS motors can be bored way out to big displacement for things like the ZO6 Vette and now that HD trucks have CAFE standards too a big block would be a hot potato, no one will touch it.

oldscsc · February 21, 2013

Yes, increased cost of diesel can be attributed to desulferization. You can thank the EPA for that! Years ago, fuel was only required to be refined down to 500 ppm...now the standard at the pump is 15 ppm. On top of that, refineries have to get the sulfur content down to about 10 ppm as the fuel will pick up small amounts of sulfur in the pipelines.

'01LS1 · February 26, 2013

The last paragraph of the article...

"VM Motori is a 50/50 joint venture between Fiat and General Motors but unless GM is sandbagging a well-concealed diesel program for the new Silverado or Sierra, Ram will be the first half-ton to market in the U.S. with a diesel engine. And if Nissan puts a baby Cummins in a Titan, our test title won’t be a misprint: Ram Diesel Versus Cummins Showdown."

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/02/we-drive-ram-1500s-diesel-in-a-jeep.html

FargoZ71 · April 7, 2013

One theory I've heard is because of the low-supher initiative some odd number of years ago. True? I couldn't tell you that.

Yes, increased cost of diesel can be attributed to desulferization. You can thank the EPA for that! Years ago, fuel was only required to be refined down to 500 ppm...now the standard at the pump is 15 ppm. On top of that, refineries have to get the sulfur content down to about 10 ppm as the fuel will pick up small amounts of sulfur in the pipelines.

Higher road tax is placed on Diesel. Which is sad because it is a cheaper fuel to refine than gas. But, they have to hit the trucking industry somewhere.. bastards. I couldn't find exact numbers from my state that included federal but here's a blip from Wikipedia.

"The United States federal excise tax on gasoline is 18.4 cents per gallon and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel fuel.^[1]^[2]

On average, as of January 2013, state and local taxes add 30.4 cents to

gasoline and 30.0 cents to diesel, for a total US average fuel tax of 48.8 cents per gallon for gas and 54.4 cents per gallon for diesel.^"

Prokopchuk_9 · April 7, 2013

Nothing wrong with a little power smoke, what's stupid is people with dirty tunes that drive around in 4th gear in town to make smoke on purpose. That being said, the new diesels probably run as clean as a gasser.

Probly cleaner actually. You ever look on the inside of a new stock tail pipe? Perfectly clean. With all emissions in place they are cleaner than an equivalent displaced/HP gas engine. That is a fact.

That being said, ya they run clean with emissions garbage on them but doesn't make sense. Ya it runs cleaner but youre at the pump alot more. just doesnt add up.

Take my truck for example. All emissions removed, run a clean tune it gained 4 MPG being modest...the emissions game is all just a scam to get you at the pump more. Pump more money into government.

Diesel is the way of the future OR direct injected turbo'd engines. GM has to do something, they are falling waaaay behind. People would buy 1/2 ton Duramax, I would. It won't be slower, if GM does it properly it would be more capable than 5.3 if not rival the 6.2...it will last longer, tow more, better fuel economy, wider maintenance intervals. Just gotta wonder about the price, knowing GM it will be ridiculous.

MikeNH · April 7, 2013

Nothing wrong with a little power smoke, what's stupid is people with dirty tunes that drive around in 4th gear in town to make smoke on purpose. That being said, the new diesels probably run as clean as a gasser.

Probly cleaner actually. You ever look on the inside of a new stock tail pipe? Perfectly clean. With all emissions in place they are cleaner than an equivalent displaced/HP gas engine. That is a fact.

That being said, ya they run clean with emissions garbage on them but doesn't make sense. Ya it runs cleaner but youre at the pump alot more. just doesnt add up.

Take my truck for example. All emissions removed, run a clean tune it gained 4 MPG being modest...the emissions game is all just a scam to get you at the pump more. Pump more money into government.

Diesel is the way of the future OR direct injected turbo'd engines. GM has to do something, they are falling waaaay behind. People would buy 1/2 ton Duramax, I would. It won't be slower, if GM does it properly it would be more capable than 5.3 if not rival the 6.2...it will last longer, tow more, better fuel economy, wider maintenance intervals. Just gotta wonder about the price, knowing GM it will be ridiculous.

GM backed down because Ford and Dodge did several years ago on half ton diesels. They had the damn engines ready to go- a few showed up on eBay supposedly during the bankruptcy days. But everyone backed down because not only will it eat HD sales from the three, it will be a tough sell in the half tons because the engine will add thousands to the price of the truck. All the HD diesels add upwards of $7000 to the cost of the truck and half tons likely won't be much different. I know I won't ever pay that much for an engine option, especially since it'll likely be efficiency focused rather than power focused.

Doug_Scott · April 7, 2013

The last paragraph of the article...

"VM Motori is a 50/50 joint venture between Fiat and General Motors but unless GM is sandbagging a well-concealed diesel program for the new Silverado or Sierra, Ram will be the first half-ton to market in the U.S. with a diesel engine. And if Nissan puts a baby Cummins in a Titan, our test title won’t be a misprint: Ram Diesel Versus Cummins Showdown."

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/02/we-drive-ram-1500s-diesel-in-a-jeep.html

I think GM will pay close attention to sales of the Dodge with the 3 litre diesel. If it is a success, GM will go the same route. They already own half the company. In order to be a success in North America, the diesel needs to be quiet, smooth, and not stink of diesel fuel. Earlier diesel powered cars did a lot of damage to the diesel image. VW is making good headway now to clean the image up. We have to remember that the vast majority of drivers have little knowledge of how engines work. You mention diesel, they think big truck, loud, and smoke. Auto manufacturers have to build for the majority. Personally, if the cost of the diesel option was more in line with the price of an optional gas engine, I would look seriously at a diesel. Currently VW in Canada charge $2k for the TDI option for example.

Did some looking around on this engine, found this, http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/1208dp_banks_vm_motori_630t_v6_diesel_engine/ . This engine is very impressive engineering wise. Engine is a light 500 pounds as well.

Prokopchuk_9 · April 7, 2013

The last paragraph of the article...

"VM Motori is a 50/50 joint venture between Fiat and General Motors but unless GM is sandbagging a well-concealed diesel program for the new Silverado or Sierra, Ram will be the first half-ton to market in the U.S. with a diesel engine. And if Nissan puts a baby Cummins in a Titan, our test title won’t be a misprint: Ram Diesel Versus Cummins Showdown."

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/02/we-drive-ram-1500s-diesel-in-a-jeep.html

I think GM will pay close attention to sales of the Dodge with the 3 litre diesel. If it is a success, GM will go the same route. They already own half the company. In order to be a success in North America, the diesel needs to be quiet, smooth, and not stink of diesel fuel. Earlier diesel powered cars did a lot of damage to the diesel image. VW is making good headway now to clean the image up. We have to remember that the vast majority of drivers have little knowledge of how engines work. You mention diesel, they think big truck, loud, and smoke. Auto manufacturers have to build for the majority. Personally, if the cost of the diesel option was more in line with the price of an optional gas engine, I would look seriously at a diesel. Currently VW in Canada charge $2k for the TDI option for example.

Did some looking around on this engine, found this, http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/1208dp_banks_vm_motori_630t_v6_diesel_engine/ . This engine is very impressive engineering wise. Engine is a light 500 pounds as well.

Pretty neat looking, see the heads?? Amazing port design for a factory head. Id love to see the 600hp version go in a small pickup!! Gale banks builds some pretty BA stuff!!

Prokopchuk_9 · April 7, 2013

The last paragraph of the article...

"VM Motori is a 50/50 joint venture between Fiat and General Motors but unless GM is sandbagging a well-concealed diesel program for the new Silverado or Sierra, Ram will be the first half-ton to market in the U.S. with a diesel engine. And if Nissan puts a baby Cummins in a Titan, our test title won’t be a misprint: Ram Diesel Versus Cummins Showdown."

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/02/we-drive-ram-1500s-diesel-in-a-jeep.html

I think GM will pay close attention to sales of the Dodge with the 3 litre diesel. If it is a success, GM will go the same route. They already own half the company. In order to be a success in North America, the diesel needs to be quiet, smooth, and not stink of diesel fuel. Earlier diesel powered cars did a lot of damage to the diesel image. VW is making good headway now to clean the image up. We have to remember that the vast majority of drivers have little knowledge of how engines work. You mention diesel, they think big truck, loud, and smoke. Auto manufacturers have to build for the majority. Personally, if the cost of the diesel option was more in line with the price of an optional gas engine, I would look seriously at a diesel. Currently VW in Canada charge $2k for the TDI option for example.

Did some looking around on this engine, found this, http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/1208dp_banks_vm_motori_630t_v6_diesel_engine/ . This engine is very impressive engineering wise. Engine is a light 500 pounds as well.

Pretty neat looking, see the heads?? Amazing port design for a factory head. Id love to see the 600hp version go in a small pickup!! Gale banks builds some pretty BA stuff!!

FargoZ71 · April 8, 2013

Probly cleaner actually. You ever look on the inside of a new stock tail pipe? Perfectly clean. With all emissions in place they are cleaner than an equivalent displaced/HP gas engine. That is a fact.

That being said, ya they run clean with emissions garbage on them but doesn't make sense. Ya it runs cleaner but youre at the pump alot more. just doesnt add up.

Take my truck for example. All emissions removed, run a clean tune it gained 4 MPG being modest...the emissions game is all just a scam to get you at the pump more. Pump more money into government.

Diesel is the way of the future OR direct injected turbo'd engines. GM has to do something, they are falling waaaay behind. People would buy 1/2 ton Duramax, I would. It won't be slower, if GM does it properly it would be more capable than 5.3 if not rival the 6.2...it will last longer, tow more, better fuel economy, wider maintenance intervals. Just gotta wonder about the price, knowing GM it will be ridiculous.

I think the Colorado and Canyon diesels that should debut in 2015 are going to go nowhere because of the size relation of the gm "midsize" trucks compared to the full size silvy's and sierras, and if pricing is similar to the last go around, the sierras ect are almost the same price for a more capable truck, that said I would look at a Canyon ect for a 6spd manual with the 2.8liter they have rumored.

I agree with you that new diesels are very clean, and I am hoping for a 1/2 ton with a Dmax I just don't see it happening unless ford rolls one out too, the 3.0 powering the Cherokee in a Ram, I don't think it will touch the Hemi for towing #'s to throw in the face of the competitors.

GM backed down because Ford and Dodge did several years ago on half ton diesels. They had the damn engines ready to go- a few showed up on eBay supposedly during the bankruptcy days. But everyone backed down because not only will it eat HD sales from the three, it will be a tough sell in the half tons because the engine will add thousands to the price of the truck. All the HD diesels add upwards of $7000 to the cost of the truck and half tons likely won't be much different. I know I won't ever pay that much for an engine option, especially since it'll likely be efficiency focused rather than power focused.

Engine would add more to the price tag, but the 1/2 tons I think outsell the 3/4's and 1-tons a fair amount.. Wouldn't be a bad option for those with campers who daily drive their trucks and want economy and power too, not just one or the other.

I don't think the premium would deter people that much.. A buddy of mine spent 51k on a 2012 F150.. and I know GM's options with gasers right now can get just as high, would just add another nitch to go with their truck lines.