Sam Memmolo
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2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500/3500 Powertrain Built Ram Tough for the Long Haul
Dodge debuts new dynamic duo: The return of a legend and the most powerful heavy-duty diesel truck engine available The toughest Dodge Ram pickups ever made need powertrains to match, and nothing less than the legendary HEMI® and Cummins names are worthy enough to power the all-new 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty. More than just a famous name, the all-new, 345 horsepower, 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum V-8 is a melding of the much revered hemispherical combustion system architecture and modern materials, electronics and manufacturing technology. Designed to create class-leading performance while maintaining heavy-duty truck durability, the new HEMI Magnum boasts best-in-class acceleration and towing. Powerful and with legions of loyal owners, the name Cummins is as well respected in the heavy-duty market as HEMI is in relation to Chrysler and Dodge. With the new high-pressure, common-rail Cummins Turbo Diesel, the Cummins legend grows. The new 5.9-liter inline six turbo diesel is now simply the most powerful heavy-duty truck diesel engine available. Period. "The new 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum V-8 engine and the new High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel are essential to the success of the 2500 and 3500 Dodge Rams," said Rich Schaum, Executive Vice President, Product Development and Quality. "Powertrains and powertrain choice are absolutely critical in this market segment, and Dodge Ram Heavy Duty owners are some of our most technically savvy consumers. They are also the most loyal, making Dodge Ram Heavy Duty the Chrysler Group's top vehicle for owner loyalty." "When you combine the advances we have made in hydroformed frames, chassis design and the class-leading interior packaging, with the new 345 horsepower, 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum gasoline engine and new High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel-which produces the most torque of any production diesel truck engine in its class-you get the best heavy-duty truck on the market," added Schaum. Ram V-10 Rounds Out
Class-leading Powertrain Offerings The legend returns...
Although the name is legendary, the new HEMI is no throwback. It features cross-flow aluminum cylinder heads with hemispherical combustion chambers and investment cast, steel rocker arm actuated splayed valves for high air flow; two spark plugs per cylinder for fast, efficient combustion; and a new direct ignition system with high-power coils ensuring consistent, complete combustion. A fully-balanced, cast, nodular iron crankshaft running in cross-bolted steel main bearing caps reduces deflection and vibration for better drivability. "Although based on the legendary HEMI engine design, this is one of the most technologically advanced engines ever engineered by the Chrysler Group," said Floyd Allen, Vice President, Product Powertrain Team. "The new 5.7-Liter HEMI Magnum utilizes such advances as a composite integrated air fuel module and electronic throttle control. The hemispherical head design allows the use of larger valves and provides better air flow to the combustion chambers." To power a Dodge Ram Heavy Duty, an engine needs more than just class-leading power and a great name. Reliability and dependability are hallmarks of Heavy Duty Dodge Rams, and to ensure that the new 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum upholds those traditions, it was subjected to a rigorous reliability program, accumulating more than 7.5 million customer equivalent miles. "Our owners want a tough, durable truck that gets the job done, no questions asked," said Frank Klegon, Vice President Truck Product Team. "And that is exactly how we designed the all-new Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500." The All-New High
Pressure Common Rail Cummins Turbo Diesel: With nearly 75 percent of Ram 2500 / 3500s being sold with the Cummins Turbo Diesel engine option, it has developed one of the most devoted followings of any heavy-duty pickup. Cummins owners will accept nothing but the best, and the new high-pressure, common rail fuel-injection turbo diesel delivers. "Dodge Cummins owners are very exacting in what they want," said Dennis Hurst, Executive Director, Cummins Engineering. "Simply put, they want the strongest and most durable product available and they will not be disappointed with this engine. We have delivered the most powerful diesel available in this class, while improving the drivability, durability and fuel efficiency. This new engine is also much quieter than its predecessor, but still retains the diesel power, torque and toughness that our customers demand." In fact, the new 5.9-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel is so tough it is certified to a longer engine life compared to the diesels offered by top competitors from Chevrolet and Ford. The Cummins engine has an average major overhaul interval of 350,000 miles, providing a substantial advantage over the competition. An inline six, the new 5.9-liter Cummins has 30 to 40 percent fewer parts than typical V-8 diesels, which means added durability and better reliability. New High-Pressure Common
Rail Injection System A gear-driven injection pump delivers fuel to the rail and is electronically controlled to optimize fuel pressure at the individual injectors. The system provides injection pressures up to 23,200 psi (1600 Bar) and is less dependent on engine speed than traditional pump-line injection system. The result is cleaner combustion and higher low-speed torque with better vehicle response and acceleration. In addition to the use of pilot injection to smooth combustion pressure, the fuel-injection calibration - timing, pressure and quantity- has been refined across the entire range of speeds and loads to ensure smooth, quiet combustion. The use of pilot injection during starting also provides gasoline engine-like cold starting capability (verified at -40 F). Class-Leading Power and
World Beating Durability The new High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel
engine is as powerful as it is durable, delivering class-leading trailer towing
capability (23,000 lbs. GCWR), which is the result of class-dominating torque of
555 lb.-ft. at 1,400 rpm and 305 horsepower at 2,900 rpm. The standard Cummins
Turbo Diesel, which also employs high-pressure, common rail injection, boosts
its horsepower rating to an impressive 250 horsepower at 2,900 rpm (up from 235
horsepower at 2,700 rpm) and produces an equally impressive 460 lb.-ft. of
torque at 1,400 rpm.
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