2009 Dodge Ram Sport R/T - First Test - Motor Trend

 

Like the 4.10:1 gears, but Dodge needs to up the 5spd to 6spds like the others are doing.

Significantly smaller brakes provide better stopping distance than the Tundra.

Also the HEMI has quicker 0-60 times than the Tundra, even with a 5spd compared to the Tundras 6spd.

Depending on the overall quality, Dodge may just have provided a competitor to Ford/Chevy.

 

Notice in the specs it say the recommended fuel is midgrade, which I take is 89 octane. Thats a downside IMO.

 

Doesn't the 5.4L require mid grade? I know here in CO, we don't have 89, only 87, but 87 is okay to use in place of 89 here at this altitude.

So can't say it's really a downside. Just normal anymore.

 

89 is a couple of cents more then 87, barely make a difference, but from what I understand, it will still run on 87 but with slightly reduce power. I guess that is a trade off of 10.5:1 compression

 

Running lower grade fuel isn't going to hurt the power in the 5.4l, which I do not beleave has enough compression to require a higher octane gas than 87. The only difference fuel makes on power is if you are running a normal motor with low compression and you get the bright idea hey lets run race gas (101 octane), which will actually hurt the power because the gas wont completely burn do to not enough heat thus not heating the air well enough. The only time you need a higher octane gas is when you are running a high compression motor. The reason you need a higher octane is so the fuel wont pre ignite from the heat during the compression stroke.

 

The 5.4ls run on a minimum of 87, unless Ford changed it for 09'. You should know, you have a 5.4l in your sig.

 

The 3V 5.4 has a 9.8:1 CR which is high, however its runs on 87 fine.

 

'06 owner guide states a minimum of 87 octane. Listed below is a link to the '06 owners guide and page #296 lists the recommendations. Here's a little tidbit.

Unleaded Gasoline engines
Your vehicle is designed to use “Regular” unleaded gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend the use of gasolines
labeled as “Regular” that are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in
high altitude areas.

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../06f12og4e.pdf

Here is the 1st release of the '09 F150 owners guide, which it also recommends 87 octane on page #373.

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pub.../09f12og1e.pdf

You think the 9.8:1 is high, just look at the 5.7L HEMI at 10.5:1 as lead head stated as does the article.

 

The CR on the 5.7l is way up there, no doubt helps performance out though. Should also lend itself to a healthy just in power with 93 octane and custom tuning. I just see many people may see that the Dodge needs 89 and shy away because they don't want to pay $.10 more per gallon for fuel, who knows. Ford has about reached the max CR with the 5.4l to run 87, at least with current EFI.

 

Is there something I am missing about smaller brakes providing better stopping distance? I thought it was larger brakes that stopped better.


and as far as the new Dodge, I like it, I have a hard time parting with the cash that companies are asking for new cars though.

 

No you aren't missing anything. Usually bigger brakes provide better distance, but not in this case.

Don't know if it's due to the weight difference between the Ram/Tundra Or exactly what the case may be, but this is what the report stated, just going off what they said.

 

OK, I went back and read the report again, I missed a lot of pieces through out due to our puppy running around and harassing one of our cats.


it's definitely quite a truck and I would not mind having it in my driveway, if the price was right.

 

Honestly the new Dodge is a nice looking truck, better than the tundra and GM for shure maybe even better looking than the F-150.

Dodge probably went with a larger caliper with more pistons.

 

Not always the case. In a comparison, if both vehicles stop hard enough for ABS activation then the deciding factor is the tires.

Vehicle weight plays a large role, as well.