Horsepower

Has anyone ever complained to the company shop that their truck had too much power?

 

Nope.

 

I've never had better fuel mileage from a 16L motor than I was getting from a 14L. The best I could get was around 7 from the larger one, even while hypermiling and keeping the boost low. The smaller engine averaged 8, even if I set the cruise control and pulled full throttle up the hills, jaking all the way down instead of coasting.

I've noticed the same thing driving pickup trucks. I might get the same fuel mileage fully loaded, but on light loads or empty, the smaller engine gets significantly better mileage. The only benefit I see to having a larger engine is for passing power or hauling more weight than a smaller engine can. The larger engine might work less or have more heavy duty components that should theoretically last longer, but it will probably not be more efficient.

 

I'm running 12.7l detroit. I am yet to be passed by a modern engine going up hill. Older cats, and cummins yes. Any newer isx, volvo, maxforce, Mx or newer detroit never. Ran with a guy for a few days with a 500 paccar, he asked me what model cat I had? Sorry its a detroit. I take of easy and dont drive hard, but he claimed to have his foot right in it and i was pulling away every round we ran. We both were 90 to 98k lbs.

 

Some states will sell you permits to run 90k or even up to, I don't know 150k hauling rock or grain or anything in like south dakota, Michigan does that too. No offence but sounds to me like you need to get around a little more.

 

Horsepower=(torque x RPM)/5252

Maybe this will help. I think this is pretty accurate

Debunking Horsepower and Torque Myths

 

On another note, there's not a HUGE difference with 50 horsepower, in race world 10 hp = .1 second, .1 seconds in race world is also = to 100 lbs lighter car. In truck world Max hp doesn't matter much, shape of the curve (flatter better) where at (1500RPM better than 2000 RPM let's say) matters so much more. Torque is how much work, HP is how fast is the work done. Ultimately it depends on your preferences, area of operation ( these numbers are derived @ sea level, 64-74 degrees farenheit or on a dyno..