I don't know if any of you guys have seen the new Truck Trends magazine. However, they are the first I have seen to actually test the new GM Duramax Diesels. They compared the new Duramax to the new for 01' Dodge Cummins 5.9HO against the old (99-2000) Powerstroke.

The Duramax:
Rated max HP: 300 @ 3100rpm
Dynod max HP: 245 @ 3500rpm
Rated max Torque: 520 @ 2800rpm
Dynod max Torque: 490 @ 1500rpm

The Cummins 5.9HO:
Rated max HP: 245 @ 2700rpm
Dynod max HP: 180 @ 3000rpm
Rated max Torque: 505 @ 1600rpm
Dynod max Torque: 604 @ 1000rpm

The Powerstroke:
Rated max HP: 235 @ 2200rpm
Dynod max HP: 240 @ 2500rpm
Rated max Torque: 500 @ 1800rpm
Dynod max Torque: 552 @ 1000rpm

All in all pretty impressive for the Powerstroke. If the new 01' version had been tested, it would have probably out-gunned them all. Nicest thing is the low rpm range.

Pitiful hp showing for the Cummins, but amazing torque.

The Duramax gave an ok showing. However, based on the rpm ranges, I was not particularly impressed. Also, the Duramax GM's are looking to be major BIG $$$$$.

One bad thing is that the GM blew away the other two in actual acceleration #'s. This is due to the fact that the Chevy was the only one in the test with an automatic. This may help to explain their low dyno #'s also. However, I would not expect to see significantly higher with the manual.

Just thought it was interesting, as I love Diesels.


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Gloria
94 Lightning, daily driver
93 EB Explorer, 1000 RTI

 

My TT arrived yesterday, and I too chuckled at the comparison. Although, TT did state up front that the vehicles were not identicly matched - the 2 things I noticed were 1)the auto vs manuals 2) the price differential!! Boy, the GM was over $11,000 more than the Powerstroke!!! Man, what I could do with 11G and a Powerstroke (or Cummmins for that matter...

 

Yes, the pricetag thing almost made me choke also. Notice that the PS even had leather interior.

It was kinda funny though, because they actually told the work truck crowd which truck to buy. The Fords (in 4wd) have a solid axle vs IFS in the Chevy. The Ford interior is more spacious and simple vs the Chevy car-like (can you say plastic?) interior. Also, notice how the curb weight of a regular cab 2wd SD is not much less than a crew cab 4wd Chevy.

Hmmmmm, wonder which one will last longer being worked hard.

On a side note, did you notice that the Duramax diesels will be rated significantly less in applications other than the trucks? This is due to the fact that the Allison trans will not fit in the Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon package. The 4L80E cannot handle the stock power of the diesel. Pretty sad.

 

Not to do any GM bashing (as enough of that is done elsewhere) but what is the latest info on Ford owning Allison? If that is such a good tranny, then why would GM give up on it? Just curious.

 

GM is using the Allison.

Just not in the "regular" duty lineup (according to 94LightningGal).