Towing with Ecoboost

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Towing with Ecoboost

Couple big reasons are
Exhaust temp is a lot higher on a gas motor and the exhaust is much more corrosive
Diesels run much thicker oil
In cold climates you really have to either use an engine block heater or really warm up the motor - gas motor is just click and go.
Can you cite your sources? I've been in the diesel engine business for 30 years and sort of in the emissions side of the business for the last 15 of that and I don't recall the word corrosive once. I also don't agree about oil or temperature either. Guys. most of this turbo talk is nothing better than speculation. You can't make these generalities.

I am working with a 4000 bhp natural gas engine that runs 90 - 100% load all the time and it's at 15,000 hours without a turbo replacement? Totally apples and oranges, but so are all of these comments.

The reason that gasoline auto manufacturers shy away from turbos is cost and turbo lag. Period. Turbo lag has been greatly reduced with VGT (variable geometry) and twin turbos. Cost is better with volume. You're going to see more and more in all size vehicles. Even small 4 cylinders.
 

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: Towing with Ecoboost

Can you cite your sources?
Life?

I've been in the diesel engine business for 30 years and sort of in the emissions side of the business for the last 15 of that and I don't recall the word corrosive once. I also don't agree about oil or temperature either. Guys. most of this turbo talk is nothing better than speculation. You can't make these generalities.

OK - take a look at the exhaust system on a gas truck and a diesel with the same number of miles - exhaust systems rot out on gas engines much faster

I am working with a 4000 bhp natural gas engine that runs 90 - 100% load all the time and it's at 15,000 hours without a turbo replacement? Totally apples and oranges, but so are all of these comments.
Not really applicable to a discussion about how a turbo gas engine performs in a truck that sits outside in -20 degree weather and gets cold started repeatedly

The reason that gasoline auto manufacturers shy away from turbos is cost and turbo lag. Period. Turbo lag has been greatly reduced with VGT (variable geometry) and twin turbos. Cost is better with volume. You're going to see more and more in all size vehicles. Even small 4 cylinders.
Lag may be part of it, but reliability is another. MN winters eat turbos - as a result you don't really see a ton of turbo gas cars in this part of the country.


As I said, I'll be curious to see how these ecoboosts perform and last locally. They sounds pretty decent, but my Ram gets the same milage as the ecoboost - although mine is rated for a couple thousand lbs less.
 

Bamaman1

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
1,895
Re: Towing with Ecoboost

Gasoline manufacturers are no longer shying away from turbochargers and superchargers. An example is the new 1.4 liter turbocharged Chevy Cruze. European cars have tiny engines--often with turbos to give them power to climb a hill. Ford's announced a 1.0 liter 3 cylinder turbocharged engine of 120 hp to power the Focus.

The emissions regulations in North America and Europe are requiring major engine technology changes. [removed] CAFE mpg ratings of the mid 50's will require even more changes--including forcing us to drive cars we don't really want. Who wants to drive a 1500 pound car--when there are 82,000 pound heavy trucks jockeying for the same place on the road?

I would prefer [to] go a different direction--like switching over to liquified natural gas cars--since we have so much natural gas reserves.

We are a country that works hard. There will always be a need to pull trailers and heavy weights, and light, medium and heavy trucks will always be needed.

I'm hoping my 3/4 ton diesel pickup will last me the rest of my life--@ 10K miles per year. I have no problems pulling a trailer--up to 13,000 lbs. My pontoon boat and trailer only weigh 5000 lbs.--so I'm good.

Edit: Keeping any hint of politics out - QC
 
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