I have been reading this board with great interest. I currently own a 97 Chevrolet 5.7L. Before you groan, I have been interested in purchasing a Ford V-10 4x4 CC with single axle and LB.
I test drove the Ford up a 6% grade out of town, which I am very familiar with. I hate to say it, but my 5.7L Chevy DESTROYS this V-10 going up the same hill. I was stunned. I held the engine at 3200 rpm, which is supposed to be it's max torque. Have any of you had experience comparing the two engines? I was a little dissapointed with the power. I guess part of the problem is the 3-73 rear-end that is in the truck - but the chevy has the same. Please don't flame me - I am interested in an honest appraisal of the two engines. Other than the power issue, I really liked the Ford, and to be quite honest, I wanted to like it more. Does the V-10 take a while to break in? Do you think I just happened to test drive a dog?

 

Well, I doubt that you are comparing apples to apples here.
Is your chevy a 3/4ton 4x4 crewcab long box?

I often wonder why people need all that truck unless it is for commercial use. Save some weight(and a hell of a lot of gas) and get a shortbox, or even a supercab. (well not if you are using this truck for human transport, but you see my point).
How in the hell do you park that friggin thing?????

With that big of a truck, it might just need diesel torque.
A lot of the mags do say that the v-10 is powerful though (see truck trend Sept/oct!

As well, there is some break-in required, but I don't know how substantial the increases in performance or mileage is.
Matt

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1978 F250 4x4 - 351M
Don't crush them, restore them!

 

Yeah, I guess I should have been more specific. I Need to Haul a ton 'o stuff. I test drove a extended cab 4x4 shortbox, just to feel the engine. I beleive it should be comparable to my Chevy which is also a extended cab shortbox 4X4. The Chevy has plenty of power, but I am constantly loading this truck over it's capacity. I also have a slide in camper, which would be best put to use on a Longbox.
My only real complaint with the Chevy is the brakes. They are horrible. Even unloaded they can barely stop me. Again, I really liked the Fords I drove, I just wanted someone's opinion on the powerplants. Perhaps the V-10's power isn't really evident until you tow something. I had a 460 in the past, and it had great diesel-like low end grunt. It also drank gas like single-malt at a scotman's birthday, but then you have to pay for power somewhere, huh?

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 03-Oct-01 AT 07:59 PM (EST)[/font][p]Ok, so you did drive comparable trucks, except for the 1/2ton - 3/4 ton thing, and the fact that the ford has a real chassis and front axle.

But you are right that the V10 should make up for that difference, you would think!

Are they both autos?
Any other ideas guys??

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1978 F250 4x4 - 351M
Don't crush them, restore them!

 

I own a 2001 v10 SC 4x4 and have driven a late model Chevy with the 351. I just like the Ford better, it seems more rugged over rough terrain, less "car-like" if that makes any sense. My neighbor has the Chevy and bought it for exactly the same reason I don't like it, car-like ride. To each his own I guess:-)

Anyhow, I'm unclear exactly what you tested when you drove the Ford v10 up the grade. If you held the v10 engine to 3200 rpm, what didn't it do that your Chevy can do? Did you do a 50 to 70 mph comparison, full throttle blast for the top, or just sit at 3200 rpm?

FWIW, I towed a 7k lb trailer with my v10 through the PA/OH mountains and hardly knew it was there. A couple of times the wife commented on my speed, oops:-)

I'd like to take a ride in the Chevy 502cid v8 to see how it performs against the v10.

 

I believe the 5.7 may be quicker in a lighter empty truck. This is the same concept that most gassers are quicker than diesels while empty. My only comment would be to test both trucks with equal or close to max weight. Just as the current diesels will out pull most gassers with 12K being towed I believe the V10 will redeem itself with your full load. I'm happy with my V10 and think it's smoother and has a little more top end rush over my old slightly modified 460.


jgrove, The V10 did allright against the 496 Chev. But the higher torque #'s finally took over for the GM/Allison when pulling a load up a grade. (Sept/Oct. Truck Trend)

 

jgrove,
Do you have the 3.73 or 4.30 axle ratio. I'm considering a new Ford V10 to tow out 7K lb trailer but can't make up my mind about the axle ratio.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 04-Oct-01 AT 07:52 AM (EST)[/font][p]The Ford motor will feel tighter because it is a new motor made on modern equipment. Your 5.7L was probably made in a GMPT plant in MI, either Flint (now torn down), or Warren. These plants had old (30 years) equipment and was not toleranced as tight as the newer motors are. Figure at least 3000 miles for break in. The GM 8.1L will slightly outpull the V-10, but from what we're hearing at the truck plant (Flint Assembly, where the new GM HD's are made), it is only getting 6-8 m.p.g. There are also some "issues" with the Allison transmission. My V-10/auto/3.73LS gets 12-13 mpg unloaded with oversize tires (P305's), and 10-11 while towing my 6500-7000 trailer. When towing I park it at 70 mph. Overall, after making an objective accessment and taking all things into consideration (like my GM employee discount), I personally feel the V-10 Super Duty was the best truck. It has equal or greater power, wider cab, solid front axle, and a "tighter" assembly. It also has looks that others have tried to duplicate but cannot match. If you're going to do the slide in camper thing, get the F350. Do not even consider the F250.

 

Blackbeauty, did you notice any power loss going with the larger tires with your gear ratio? I have ordered a 02 Crew 4x4 V-10 A/T with that ratio. Should I have gone with the 4:30's? I will probably be putting on 295's or maybe 305's so if you could get back to me on this I would appreciate it.

Last question, did you calibrate and if so where and how much?

 

I've owned them both. Still got the v-10. As far as zoom-zoom goes, the Chevy out ran the Ford. As far as pulling heavy loads,
the Chevy was quicker to make it move but the Ford was way more stable and handled better.(2k trailer with 5.6k bobcat skid-stear.) Both with 3.73 gears. The Chevy was 1/2 ton. The Ford is
a SD. The Ford seams to be a lot tougher. I get between 11-14 mpg
with the v-10. And at 413 cubic inches that ain't bad.Got between
14-15 with the 350. And no longer than the v-10 has been on the market I can say Ford has made a good product with it. I'm fast aproaching 100k on the truck and have had no problems with it at all.
BTW- Both trucks are 4x4, ext. cabs with short beds. As far as rugged, tough dependability( if you have to abuse the truck ) go with the Ford. It has stood up to every task I've handed it. As far as ride goes, both being 4wd, there was not that noticeable of a differance. You can always change the shocks if you want a smoother ride.
I can give you this advice-stay away from Dodges! With reluctance I will admit that I did own one. Never again! The stearing is trash. You cannot keep tires or brakes on the front of them. And every single Ram and RamVan I've been behind doglegs
down the road.(Goes sideways.)Man, what a pile of junk! I trade in every 100,000 miles. The Ram managed to make it to about 35,000.I could'nt stand it anymore.
Good day to you.
~Tomohawk~
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http://diebinladendie.tripod.com

 

Spook
I had a 99 F-350 CC 4x4 V10 A/T 3.73. I wanted to put on 295's but calculating the gear ratio it would end up around 3.55. I found the 3.73 to be kinda limp pulling a 8000lb trailer up the slopes.
I now have an identical 02 with the 4.30. Coupled with the transmission upgrades this new setup is awesome. 4.30 is definately the way to go. BTW I though mileage differance would change drastically but it is barely noticeable. (12mpg)

 

I have always said if we could just put the Chevy engine in the Ford Truck we would have one heck of a vehicle.

 

I miss the 460. Then I wouldn't agree with you. Diesels are another story though.

Daywalker
92' F-250HD 351 4x4 xlt 4.10 ZF 5speed supercab longbed

 

I have the 3.73 and factory tires. I will go to a larger tire (33x12) when these wear out and hope the 3.73 still has plenty of grunt. FWIW, I never felt like the truck was straining with the trailer.

 

i miss the 460 also