Engine overkill?
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Elder User
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From: outback
Engine overkill?
After reading many hundreds of posts over the weeks i have found that there is a large engine bias on these boards. People are 99 times out of a 100 recomending going with the bigger engine. As far as i am concerned, the BEST engine is the one that is the most reliable, and the one that gets the job done. In fact i think the smaller the engine the better if the application gets done. If all things are equil mpg and reliablity and price then sure, go with the bigger engine, otherwise it is just an ego thing. One last thing, i rented a 1.2 liter diesel in europe over the summer, it got 60 mpg and was the most fun car i have driven in years. Driving at 90mph with 4 people to boot!! After that experiance i am now a born again diesel fan!!! Why every truck and suv is not a diesel is crazy, but i hear that once the sulfer content is lowered that may change. Just a few thoughts.....
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From: Evanston, WY
It has been my experience that the suggestion to go to a bigger engine is usually immediately preceded by the question: "What should I do to my 360 to get more power?".
The fact is you are right. The best engine is the one that is just big enough to get the desired result. If that happens to be to out-accelerate some perceived competition then it is typically counter productive to go with a smaller engine.
Now there are certainly advantages to diesel engines, but there are also drawbacks. Please come to my town on a cold winter morning where about 60% of the trucks are diesel. The air becomes so acrid with fumes that it burns the eyes. I do hope that reformulation of the fuel helps.
That being said, I will be driving my 511ci 1000hp gas guzzler. Definately an ego thing!
-Scouder
The fact is you are right. The best engine is the one that is just big enough to get the desired result. If that happens to be to out-accelerate some perceived competition then it is typically counter productive to go with a smaller engine.
Now there are certainly advantages to diesel engines, but there are also drawbacks. Please come to my town on a cold winter morning where about 60% of the trucks are diesel. The air becomes so acrid with fumes that it burns the eyes. I do hope that reformulation of the fuel helps.
That being said, I will be driving my 511ci 1000hp gas guzzler. Definately an ego thing!
-Scouder
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Originally Posted by Scouder
It has been my experience that the suggestion to go to a bigger engine is usually immediately preceded by the question: "What should I do to my 360 to get more power?".
The fact is you are right. The best engine is the one that is just big enough to get the desired result. If that happens to be to out-accelerate some perceived competition then it is typically counter productive to go with a smaller engine.
Now there are certainly advantages to diesel engines, but there are also drawbacks. Please come to my town on a cold winter morning where about 60% of the trucks are diesel. The air becomes so acrid with fumes that it burns the eyes. I do hope that reformulation of the fuel helps.
That being said, I will be driving my 511ci 1000hp gas guzzler. Definately an ego thing!
-Scouder
The fact is you are right. The best engine is the one that is just big enough to get the desired result. If that happens to be to out-accelerate some perceived competition then it is typically counter productive to go with a smaller engine.
Now there are certainly advantages to diesel engines, but there are also drawbacks. Please come to my town on a cold winter morning where about 60% of the trucks are diesel. The air becomes so acrid with fumes that it burns the eyes. I do hope that reformulation of the fuel helps.
That being said, I will be driving my 511ci 1000hp gas guzzler. Definately an ego thing!
-Scouder
Tim
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From: Oregon
Originally Posted by elemint
After reading many hundreds of posts over the weeks i have found that there is a large engine bias on these boards.
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From: Hoquiam, WA
Scouder, let me know when you fire that up. I want to warn the seismology center at the UW. 
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Originally Posted by elemint
[snip]
If all things are equil mpg and reliablity and price then sure, go with the bigger engine, otherwise it is just an ego thing. [snip]
...
If all things are equil mpg and reliablity and price then sure, go with the bigger engine, otherwise it is just an ego thing. [snip]
...
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From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Diesel's (YUCK)
And thats comin from a Trucker!! They stink....They sound like the rods are getting ready to fly out of the block...The pistons sound like there getting ready to swap holes!!!
And once you get that God awful smell on you..it takes a week to get the smell out!!
And thats comin from a Trucker!! They stink....They sound like the rods are getting ready to fly out of the block...The pistons sound like there getting ready to swap holes!!!
And once you get that God awful smell on you..it takes a week to get the smell out!!
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From: outback
Diesel's yuck.
Thats what i used to think, but the modern diesel are a whole new deal and cleaner low sulfe fuel like in europe and you would be blown away. I would not even know i was drive a diesel if i was a passenger. No smell, no smoke, no noise, even at 80mph it was only somewhat noticable.
Thats what i used to think, but the modern diesel are a whole new deal and cleaner low sulfe fuel like in europe and you would be blown away. I would not even know i was drive a diesel if i was a passenger. No smell, no smoke, no noise, even at 80mph it was only somewhat noticable.
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From: Evanston, WY
Originally Posted by elemint
Diesel's yuck.
Thats what i used to think, but the modern diesel are a whole new deal and cleaner low sulfe fuel like in europe and you would be blown away. I would not even know i was drive a diesel if i was a passenger. No smell, no smoke, no noise, even at 80mph it was only somewhat noticable.
Thats what i used to think, but the modern diesel are a whole new deal and cleaner low sulfe fuel like in europe and you would be blown away. I would not even know i was drive a diesel if i was a passenger. No smell, no smoke, no noise, even at 80mph it was only somewhat noticable.
-Scouder
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From: Jackassville
well, i know in europe there disels are far superior to ours as there is a higher demand for them in europe. in fact about a year ago a german diesel company ( i dont remeber who) made a 210 MPG engine that had 180 horsepower! too bad it didnt make it here. gas is expensive there and disel is a lot cheaper there also i agree we should see more diesels in our newer vehicles these days because they are far more efficent, have less toxic fumes, and in genral are more reliable. however, i know i wouldnt want a diesel in my truck too heavy and not enough HP. i see your point but gassers are funner in older trucks. im not a big block fan myself i like the power small blocks make but i have nothing against folks who want a big block.
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From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
Besides glow plugs, the diesel engine relies 100% on compression for ignition to occur. Any diesel you will ever encounter worldwide can have annoying problems getting started especially after wear and tear causes the compression to drop below a certain level. The drop isn't really that much either. Now even with lots of miles on them, most gasoline engines still manage to start decently after the wear and tear and even more loss of compression.
If you want proof of the difficulty to start worn diesel powered vehicles just ask a truck driver or a diesel mechanic. They have seen how plenty of different diesel engines perform after the wear and tear has taken place. We keep cases of ether in the shop all year long.
I have noticed a particularly high amount a water with diesel fuel. After over six years of working on deisel powered vehicles and being around truck drivers I have to say that there is a major water contamination problem with diesel fuel. When the number of fuel filter changes are higher than the oil changes in one year then you have to realize there is a problem. The quality of the deisel used is the exact type you will encounter at the gas stations you go to every week.
I can't remember the last time anyone I know has had a problem with water in their gasoline. The last time I had any problems with water in my gasoline is never.
If you want proof of the difficulty to start worn diesel powered vehicles just ask a truck driver or a diesel mechanic. They have seen how plenty of different diesel engines perform after the wear and tear has taken place. We keep cases of ether in the shop all year long.
I have noticed a particularly high amount a water with diesel fuel. After over six years of working on deisel powered vehicles and being around truck drivers I have to say that there is a major water contamination problem with diesel fuel. When the number of fuel filter changes are higher than the oil changes in one year then you have to realize there is a problem. The quality of the deisel used is the exact type you will encounter at the gas stations you go to every week.
I can't remember the last time anyone I know has had a problem with water in their gasoline. The last time I had any problems with water in my gasoline is never.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Texas
back to the original topic, and in defense of many of the people that frequent the FE Forum, this forum often reccomends staying with the smaller FE motor when asked to decide between the FE and a 429/460 upgrade.
That may just be logistics or because this forum is the FE forum. But, we're not above suggesting a 390 over a 460 :-)
That may just be logistics or because this forum is the FE forum. But, we're not above suggesting a 390 over a 460 :-)