dodge v-10 vs 454

I can purchase a 96 dodge ext. cab v-10 4x4 5spd trans dually with 93k miles. Is there any issues with these motors, and do they compare to a 454 from the 90-95 years for torque and hp? Is this the truck i would want for hauling around tractors or go with different one i want to spend under $6500? What would this get for fuel mileage compared to 454? I will be pulling 14 - 22,000 lbs.

I don't think you can talk about fuel economy and own a V-10 or 454.

Thats kinda like wanting a ban on guns but owning 2 or 3 yourself.

It just don't work.~})

Gary

In that age group I think you will be looking in the 6-7MPG area for mileage.

I have a 1997 GMC Dually, running it at those weights gets me about 7 miles per gallon. If you are going to do much pulling I think most people would find that unacceptable.

My wife's truck is a 2004 HD2500 Crewcab with the 8.1L and Allison transmission it will go 9MPG pulling those weights. I attribute that to being newer technology and a little different gearing, 3.55 vs 4.10.

the dodge diesel in that year would be a better choice if you want mileage the 97 I am used to gets around 12-15 loaded 22-25 unloaded of course the mileage changes with larg loads for wind resistance

Dodge V10 has more torque and HP that a 454. I owned a 94 Dodge 3500 ext.cab dually. Dealer told me it had more torque and HP than current year diesel. Realistic milage was 13-14 empty, 10-11 loaded pulling a 11k lb. mini-excavator. always had plenty of power.

Engine is basically bullet proof. No problems in 178,000 miles. Cost a LOT less to maintain than a diesel, and because of less weight, you have less problems with front suspension.

I would not be afraid to buy another one.

I have a 96 Dodge 3500 dually, extended cab, long bed 4x4 with the v10 in it. I usually get 9-10 miles unloaded driving around. Definately not a fuel effecient truck by any means..............



kevin

I own a 2001 Dodge with a V-10. When I haul loads it gets 6 miles per gallon. 9-10 miles on a good day when empty. I bought it with 24,000 miles on it and it has always used a little coolant. About a half gallon per month. I had it dye tested and found that both heads need replaced at a cost of $3,500 to me. The dealer said that he has seen this problem in another V-10, and it is because the material that the head is made from is too poorus,(I hope I spelled it right). Neeedless to say, I just chek the coolant often and haven"t had any problems. My wife use to drive it to work at a cost of $150.00 a week in gas. I parked it and she bought a car that gets 24 miles per gallon with the money she saves in gas. That engine guzzles gas like crazy, and I wish I had bought the Cummins Diesel instead. But you live and learn. Just my 2 cents. Mike.

My 2005 6.8L V10 Ford with 6 speed manual trans. gets 13 to 14 1/2 driving down the road like a car. Hook up the gooseneck and put a tractor or two on and drop to 8 to 10. I have heard that the Ford V10 is quite a bit better on fuel than the Dodge, but I never drove the Dodge so I can't swear to it.

The Goat V-10 is 488, later 505 CID.

The Dorf V-10 is a little feller of 413 CID.

i got a friend that bought a 98 dodge 3/4 ton 4x4, with the v 10, he gets 8 to 9 running empty, hates it,when he pulls a trailer he comes and borrows my 94 diesel, were both afraid if we hook a trailer to this thing it will go from miles per gallon to gallons per mile,

We had a 1990 GM dually reg cab 4x4 with the 454. I never hauled as heavy as 22000, but I can imagine what mileage would be attained. Driving empty we'd get 11 mpg on the highway (we really only drove highway); driving with about 16000-17000 lbs we'd get between 8-9 mpg.
Jason

Good point!
Something also to think about:
When you have a v10, everything is expensive to replace on it. Deisel same thing but not as bad.
454 very common - a lot cheaper for parts.
You have to factor that in because the few dollars you might save over a month with that "weird" motor, you loose on buying a little part to keep it running. My Dodge is sitting in my back yard with a blown tranny - 46RH bad!
Always stay with a stick if possible!!!

Mike Shuler, you might cure your coolant consumption by treating the engine with stop leak containing sodium silicate. I forget the brand name, but NAPA has it for about $8 per can. It's not something you just put in the radiator and keep driving, but it worked for me on another situation.

In a nutshell, it is not compatible with antifreeze, so you need to flush all of the antifreeze out of the cooling system, mix the contents of the can with 5 quarts of hot water, pour it into the cooling system, fill the system the rest of the way with water, idle the engine for a half to 3/4 hour making sure the engine temp goes over 200, shut it down and flush all of the sodium silicate mixture out of the cooling system. Then, leave the vehicle sit with the radiator cap off and the drain plugs open for 24 hours. Then refill with a normal antifreeze mixture.

The theory is, the sodium silicate crystals will melt the first time at about 208 degrees, and in their melted stage will seal everything from leaking gaskets to porous castings. Once they've melted and solidified initially, it takes a temp of like 800 degrees to melt them again.

It's just a thought, but it worked for me once on a Pontiac mini van with the no-account 3.4 engine that was getting away with coolant and no one could figure out where or how. A V10 might take two cans, but it's a heckuva lot cheaper than $3500.

Back to the original thread, I've had several Chevy and GMC crew cab duallies with the 454 over the years. They'd all get about 11 mpg completely empty. Once you hooked up a trailer, loaded or empty, they were down to about 8.

I once hauled a '67 GTO to Minneapolis for a guy, and hauling the Goat to Minneapolis and pulling the empty trailer back with one, I got 6.8. I admit, I had the hammer down with the A/C on. I was trying to make time, not gas mileage. Of course, gas was half the price than it is now.

Neither one is a good deal.
AS for the GM, find something with the 6.L gasser. It tops the 454 all around. Another easy 20-30HP extra with a tuner and a Air-raid pipe from the factory airbox. Mileage is far better too than the 454 or V10.
That's too much $$$ for a 13-19 year old truck.

A friend of mine that is a mechanic at a dealership says the v-10s are bad for having intake gaskets go bad and then running lean and having major problems. Lee

Are you hauling tractors off road or in winter? If not, look for a '94-'98 2wd, 5spd, Dodge diesel. The price will be in your range. The fuel milage and towing power will be far superior to any gasser.

The 6.0L may have more HP on paper, but at how may zillon RPM? All these truck companies claim more and more power every year, but it seems like it is at higher and higher RPM. I dont really care about the peak HP, look at how much TORQUE the 454 will make compaired to a 6.0L.

6.0l will outdrag a 454 up a hill and that"s what counts.
Have a look at the rpms for the two engines. There isn"t enough difference to matter. Intermitant sprints up a hill is alltogether different from continous wide open throttle, max rpm operation.
This is a highway truck. Not a irrigation pump application where a 1500rpm engine is preferred over a 2100rpm engine.

Have a friend with a dodge v10 5 speed good truck bought a new diesel truck. dealer did not want it on traid in.been trying  to sell it for almost two years no can do. can not give it away if it was a diesel could have sold it several times.I have had three or four 454 no problems as long as you can put gas in it do not think eather one would be a good deal that is my 2-Bits worth

Goose, I will try it. Thanks for the tip, I greatly appreciate it. Mike.

porus