Test drove a 02 Roadtrek with the 318 on a 2500 chassis. Handling was fine but i question the 318's guts on mountain hills. I had a FAlcon 360, and despite lower gas mileage, with the carb i put on , was awesome on hills. Having to deep throttle the 318 with a loaded unit just to keep speed on hills feels underpowered to me. Would appreciate any input from users on engine choices both Dodge, Chev or Fords, looks like the diesels get hi marks for power and mileage. Shopping for another Roadtrek, appreciate comments.
Thanks
Planewrench
We have a 318 (5.2 L in metric) Dodge on a 3500 in our '96 RT 190V and don't think that it's underpowered. We always lock out the OD when climbing steep hills. With gas prices the way they are now, we don't go over the speed limit and sometimes will set the cruise to several mph below the limit to save fuel. Plenty of power, IMHO.
We have the GM 8.1L vortec in our 35 ft MH. Even when towing our Cavalier, plenty of power in the mountains, and on the flat it is loafing. Gas mileage sucks tho. About 8 mpg. A diesel would be a better choice. I also keep the speed at about 60 to save gas.
Though my b 250 DIY camper is probably several hundred pounds lighter than a loaded Roadtrek, I feel it's got enough power, and mine is a pre magnum 318 engine which is rated about 35 less horsepower. I wouldn't trade any mileage for more power.
My engine has been rebuilt but with no performance parts. I do have a flowmaster 50 series muffler, and that was instantly noticeable in terms of power. The original Y pipe from the manifolds was 50 percent blocked where the arms meet, when it came out of the factory.
Though some people have tricked out a 318 to get 500 normally aspirated horsepower, most agree that the 360 is a better platform for power improvement.
We have the V8 6.0 L SFI gas engine (Vortec) on our RT. The is the same engine on the Chevy RT's sold today. Not a problem with power on hills whatsoever. We are pleased with it. It is quiet and smooth. The vehicle is a true pleasure to drive.
Sounds like you were testing a RT Dodge 170? I've owned a '00 RT Dodge 190 with the 318, and it had adequate power here in the SE mountains. Certainly not overpowered, but adequate. The lighter 170 should be a bit better. My '02 RT Chevy 190 with the last iteration of the 350 / 5.7 was noticably more powerful, but the Dodge was no slug.
Several things to check... underinflated tires or dragging brakes can make a vehicle feel underpowered. Total mileage and state of tune can make a difference in performance, too.
I've never seen any statistics, but I think the 360 was a fairly rare option that's in maybe 5-10% (???) of the Dodge RT's. Diesels are extremely rare in US-made B's; I'm not sure Dodge even offered one in the Ram van. Heck, the 170 is pretty rare itself.
Good luck with your search!
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
I've never seen any statistics, but I think the 360 was a fairly rare option that's in maybe 5-10% (???) of the Dodge RT's. Diesels are extremely rare in US-made B's; I'm not sure Dodge even offered one in the Ram van. Heck, the 170 is pretty rare itself.
Good luck with your search!
Jim, "Mo' coffee!"
I would agree with that percentage WRT RT's. Not so sure about the other brands. I think RT used the 318 as their standard. I think most of the other B manufacturers tended to use the 360 as standard in their units.
Back when I was actively looking for an "new" used unit, most of the LTV's and PW's seemed to have the 360, while most of the RT's seemed to have the 318.
As for the 318, I can't speak for mountain use in the Rockies and further west, but I never had any problem with it in the mountains of southwest Virginia. Just put it in non-overdrive and keep moving.
Erroll, Mary, Duffy the Wonder Doxie & "Ollie"
1996 RoadTrek 210 Popular, on 1995 Chevy Chassis
My 2 cents is that the Chrysler 318 has always been a good engine and would be just adequate if it's in good shape and tuned well, the 360 is good too, but would have a lot more torque. I've have experience with both. Howsomeever, there is really nothing that can compare with the Chevy 6.0 for a combination of power and gas mileage. We currently have an 05 RT 170 and I have never had an engine so powerful, so smooth that will get 16.8 mpg at 75 mph, fully loaded against headwinds, and gets up to 12 mpg towing. The Chevy 350 is also very good but just can't match the newer Vortec engines.
Thanks for all the input from all of you. What year have RT been using the Chev 6.0, might look around and try driving one of those. I guess i need to try the 318's again with the OD off. The search continues..........
JoeRT04 wrote: We have the V8 6.0 L SFI gas engine (Vortec) on our RT. The is the same engine on the Chevy RT's sold today. Not a problem with power on hills whatsoever. We are pleased with it. It is quiet and smooth. The vehicle is a true pleasure to drive.
Same feeling here. The PW lexor uses the same setup as the RT 190's. A pleasure to drive!!
Bob & Sharon: Retired GM & AT&T
2007/06 Chassis, Chevrolet Pleasure-Way Lexor TS
Eastern Kansas FMCA# 386853
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