[rammertide07]

Originally Posted by cleatus12r

I'm not trying to single you out, but where in the world does this idea come from?

It's false. There are attributes that an inline six cylinder has that make it a nicer-running engine, but there is no validity in the "more low-end" argument.

I'm no "inline vs V engine" expert. I read statments such as these and they seem to know what they are talking about...

"For the same displacment an inline will have a broader torque curve because 6 cylinders is all they have. (Anymore and the crankshaft will twist.) Because there are fewer cylinders the stroke and/or bore is larger. Ususally the stroke gets the bigger increase and increases torque when compared to the same size V-8.
Also most larger inline 6's are developed for trucks were hood height and engine bay width aren't a problem like in a car so the can use longer rods which broaden the torque curve."

"The rods on an inline doesn't share a rod journal with another rod on the crankshaft like the V's.
Each rod is also supported by their own pair of main bearings.

Powerwise, a V8 has a power stroke every 90 degrees of crankshaft rotation.
The inline 6 has a power stroke every 120 degrees of crankshaft rotation."

"The long rod inline engine also has less side thrust on the piston and more room for the rings on the piston compared to a V-8 because of packaging room in the engine compartment.
I suspect the reason the change to a V-8 on the 1500 is to meet emission and fuel economy standards for light duty trucks after thinking about it. The V-8 might use a more efficient transmission also, something else to look into."

"I just don't know if I would trust a V8 diesel to last as long and do as well as an turbo'd inline.

My .02,,,

As for the difference between V blocks & Inline's. I'm an EX-Trucker here, I've driven both types and basically found no real difference in diesel engines with EXCEPTION of torque of the inline better. Most semi's today use inline 6 turbocharged over the old V8. BUT,,, I've seen some Vblocks that were modified or custom built for show and no go work. For instance I worked for Werner Enterprises for 5 years. They have built show trucks that are both restored and show rigs. From their gas engine 1956 Ford up to CL-2 with a V16 Detroit Diesel!

22+ years
48 States / 3 Provinces of Canada
2.5 Million miles"
If V8's are better at making torque, why aren't they used in more semi's? Edit: Maybe low end torque is not the best way to say it, but they sure do make a lot of torque for pulling. And dollar for dollar, you can get more power out of a 5.9 (especially 24v) imo. I think the 6.4 is a good continder for that though.