I don't want to start a war but a debate would be interesting!!

Since I am considering 1997 12V Cummins, I know that it may not have the power I need to do my job. So, I contacted several diesel performance shops to first, see which engine is prefered by them and second to see how much I could get out of the Cummins since the PSD has enough power already.

Suprisingly, ALL of the shops said that the Cummins is a better motor and much easier to modify (12V only) . In fact, said it would run circles around the PSD!!

The only negative thing they could say about the Dodge is that the transmission is WEAK!

What do ya'll think?

 

Well apparently we all like Powerstrokes... lol ... but i think the cummins is a good motor, (great sounding too!) but wrapped in a not so good truck. And i also heard that the tranny's are weak. just my .02!

 

The 12v Cummins is the easiest and cheapest diesel in a pickup to modify and get HUGE HP and torgue gains. Of course we're all partial to PSD's since this is a Ford oriented website. If you can live with the fact that the Cummins is wrapped in a Dodge package go for it!

 

That's just it...I'm partial to Fords!! But based on what these shops said, you'd think they were on the payroll of Cummins!! Oh well, I guess it's something to think about.

I like the idea of not having to modify the PSD...only if I want to.

But the Cummins I'd HAVE to! Not that adding extra HP is a bad thing. In fact, I almost like the idea . MORE POWER!!

I just won't be able to visit this site as much, except to tell ya'll how many PSD's I've smoked!! (and how many Dodge tranny's I've smoked too! )!!

 

Like you said, Diesel Daddy, if you buy the Dodge you'll have to modify it to get the performance you want. Besides, the shop guys all prefer the Cummins since it's easier to work on...nasty little secret they never reveal...

Buy a PDS and get real towing power, a tranny up to the job, brakes that don't need to be overhauled every 25k miles, and unlimited power potential if bone-stock don't get the job done.

 

That is true, but at the same time Cummins has been around the block a few times. For this very same reason, mechanics and diesel performance people know them like the back of their hand. So like 76Econoline says they're easy to fix. But I personally think the Powerstroke is the best engine for any job. Sure, you may have to work a little to get some mods installed, but you get alot of bang for your buck. Besides, it comes with plenty of power stock (hence the name "Powerstroke"). My Vote: may the Powerstroke reign forevermore!

 

My good friend is a tranny tech at a Dodge dealership. He won't have nothing to do with their autos, but their sticks hold up. Though the 5 speeds he says lose 5th gear first.

I've driven all of the diesels offered in 94 from the big 3. The 6.5 Detroit knocking diesel, the 5.9 Cummins and the 7.3 Powestroke. Now I could not tell much of a difference in the PSD and the Cummins. Both pull my roomates enclosed trailer loaded very well. But they both will run circles around a Detroit.

Cummins are simple, run just as long as a PSD. There actually expected to hit 350,000 miles before an over haul. Heres an idea. Set of hop up injectors for a Cummins, 3-700 bucks avg. OEM replacement for ONE injector on a PSD is about 350 bucks. I'm actually looking at getting a 95-98 Cummins with a 5 speed. Just can't find them with a stick dangit. I also like the better milage from a Cummins. But I still love a PSD.

 

well i just thought i would put my 2 in on this.

i had a 95 dodge cummings 25004x4 with a stick. key word being had. stock the truck was weak and it was in the shop more than i drove it. the roof leaked,brakes pulled to either sides when used, even when i replaced the calipers 3 times, lost oil pressure on top side if engine 3grand to fix that, the fuelshutoff solonoid went bad so it would cut off going down the highway,the door seals leaked. so thats why i dont own a dodge anymore and will never own anothere one. i had 2 at one time. the other truck was the same thing but red and an auto. it was even weaker and got worse fuel mileage.then it wouldnt start. i cant remember what was wrong with it that time..oh i almost forgot..my blue dodge would lose prime when it sat for about 30 mins. mt dad also has a dodge with the 24v in it. it hasnt given his as much trouble as mine did but he pulls a 24' beaver tail with only a johndeere 5420 up 77 into virgina at a blistering 35 to 40 mph. thats why i dont own a dodge and never will again....and just ask will work for mud how i felt about fords before i drove one. but thats all it took just once and 2 weeks later i had one

 

I woundn't be caught dead driving a dodge truck but the truth is that the Cummins can be made to crank out more power cheaper than a Powerstroke, even though the Powerstroke is more powerful stock. Dodge has poor quality compared to Ford trucks, and the Ford auto transmission is better. If it were my money I would buy the Powerstroke, They make plenty of power and If you have the money they can hang with most of the modded Cummins.

 

Boy, I just went and drove a 1995 F350 PSD 5-spd Crew and I am really disappointed!! It looks like I'm leaning to the Dodge.

I haven't spoke to one person who has said anything bad about the Cummins. It's less $$ and if it turns out to be a piece of junk, I guess I'll come back to Ford!?!?!

 

well what you have to remember is that back in 95 all the diesels were kinda weak go drive a 99 psd or just got tthe ford dealer and test drive the new 6.0 a good rule of thunb would be that the ford will always be a bit stonger than the same dodge of that year..i.e a 1999 psd vs a 1999 dodge cummings ford 250 hp dodge 235hp ...ie 1995 cummings 175 hp 1995 ford 195hp so you cant really compare a 1995 ford to a 2003 dodge cumming with 305 hp. and vise versa..my advise pick a year of truck that you like and drive both of them and see what you like best.

 

The Powerstroke had 215 hp in 1995 not 195 and the Dodges differ weither they are auto or manual transmissions. Good point though you can't compare an older engine to a newer one.

 

thanks for letting me know about the psd i couldnt quite remeber but i new i was close

 

Well my original post was that I'm looking at a 1997 Ford F350 PSD 5-spd VS a 1997 Dodge 2500 Cummins 12v auto. If I'm not mistaken, Ford didn't change the PSD from 1994.5 thru 1997. It was in 1999 with the new Super Duty's came out.

So, what I'm comparing is an old PSD to and old Cummins. The only difference is that the Ford is a 5 spd w/4.10's and the Dodge is an Auto w/3.54's.

Thanks for all the comments...keep 'em Cummins (oops!)

 

The Cummins is a good engine, I think we all know that. They are very simple compared to the PSD, and very reliable. But, as you said, the trannys are not up to the challenge. A good friend of mine has an '01 Dodge 2500. I have driven it alot, and the engine has tons of torque on the bottom, but put him on the highway with me and he won't stay close. The PSD is lots more fun to drive, and alot quieter. IMO, you should be looking at the whole package, not just the engine. For example, if you need room, the new body (99 & up) Fords have much more room inside than the Dodge. I don't think you could go wrong with either one, IF the Dodge was a manual trans and a 24 valve.