[country_hick]

There comes a point where extra power makes a truck or a car not fit for normal road use. That extra power could cause the vehicle to not handle well in rain or snow. If the tires turn without wanting them to I say the truck or car becomes something besides a daily driver.

I know, an experienced driver used to power can handle 800 hp but when they let their teenage kid drive it they risk a major accident. Where is the sweet spot between extra power that is useful for towing and daily driving just before the truck becomes dangerous to more inexperienced drivers?

I do realize these trucks weigh somewhere around 3 to 4 tons. That extra weight adds adds a hp safety margin as the weight counteracts a certain amount of hp and torque.

Is there a general rule of thumb about when extra power makes a vehicle act squirrely?

 

[estrada5.9]

Its all in the setup and the driver.

I know people that shouldn't even drive a stock rig.

 

[lostnwalmart]

^^this
If its a modified I wold not let any else drive it who doesnt know or respect that.

 

[estrada5.9]

Yep I NEVER let anyone else drive my rigs unless I am with them.

 

[country_hick]

2012 Dodge RAM 2500 Press Release:
Available 6.7-liter Cummins® High Output Turbo Diesel automatic produces
350 horsepower (261 kW) at 3,000 rpm and 800 lb.-ft. of torque (1083 N•m)

I guess the hairy hp levels must happen above that?

 

[lostnwalmart]

No even that is to much for some of my friends LOL

 

[#2gunsmoke]

wouldnt suggest going over 450/1100... can have alot of fun at that level and still do what you want.

 

[Drothgeb]

My wife didn't have any problem driving mine when it was in the 400-450 range, but that was the upper limit. Since the twins and etc, I don't think that I would let anyone drive it.

 

[gr8shot]

I would say that with a well setup and tuned rig, 400rwhp is probably pretty much the limit for a DD IMO. That's enough power to break the tires loose when you try to, but not so much that. you can only use half the pedal before your frying the tires. With a good setup 400hp can still tow with low egts as well. IMO on a 12v I'd say that limit is a little lower due to the under sized stock turbo and poor flowing head which contribute to higher egts when towing. Of course with a "good" driver you can tow with 3294751748hp and just use your foot and gear selection to control egts but IMO after 350-400hp you can't hook up 15k lbs and not watch the egt gauge at all. That's when you lose the practicality to me.

My dmax with efi live is a different story. My old lmm was at 450rwhp and I wasn't afraid to let my fiance drive it anywhere. Egts would never go above 1300 even with 10k+ hooked up on the 450hp tune and the hammer down. But that's a different thread...

Sent from my old skool Droid

 

[crazyrunner33]

Some other factors to consider would be the gear ratio and the transmission, an automatic with 3.54 gears will be a lot faster and can break the tires loose easier than a manual with 4.10 gears. The '99 we use to have would break the tires loose at around 25 mph during lock up and sometimes at around 50 mph when shifting in third gear with an auto and 3.54 gears. The '97 my father has with a stick and 4.10 gears is a lot more tame with 525 hp at the crank vs the '99 with around 375 hp.

 

[manganos]

I'm not sure how much power I have but if it is raining I can roll the throttle in 4th and once I build some boost the tires just break loose. I wouldn't let my wife drive it. On dry pavement I can light them up building boost but it is pretty predictable.

 

[98-6BTA]

Yea I agree, on dry pavement I wouldn't mind most of the people I know driving it. But as of now I have the plate in a position that max EGT is 1200 and the stock GSK back in as the truck is at the parents while I am stationed in Japan for 6 months (poor lonely beast).

But as I have it when it is under my operation is no plate and 4K GS.... locked up in overdrive with just a damp road at best, at whatever speed, the rear end will come around easy on you. EASY for people not use (as use to it as you can be... never fails to amaze me) to the instant TWIST from these things to make things bad in a hurry.

 

[estrada5.9]

I almost fear other Cummins pickup drivers now after hearing these stories about barely over stock pickups being too hard too handle.

 

[98-6BTA]

Touch of sarcasm I'm guessing?

 

[Big Blue24]

My 400 HP daily driver is tame. I let lots of people use it, not afraid to let my wife drive it, and it tows just as well as it did stock, except for the fact that it'll maintain the speed limit when towing whereas stock didn't have enough power on the hills.

With proper AFC tuning, it runs clean, power is very predictable, and it's a great handling vehicle with a few minor steering upgrades.

In my opinion, 500 HP is the limit for a normal daily driver, above that level and all bets are off.

 

[Gasoline Sucks]

Whats wrong with 700hp and a valet switch for when you for some stupid reason you let an idiot drive your truck

 

[Gasoline Sucks]

was my response just too stupid to respond to?

 

[country_hick]

Whats wrong with 700hp and a valet switch for when you for some stupid reason you let an idiot drive your truck ... was my response just too stupid to respond to?

Nah, I was just trying to figure out just who would let an idiot drive their 700 hp truck. :coocoo


I actually asked the original question here because I have seen some people ask how to get to a stated amount of hp. I never did see any threads talking about excessive hp and the problems it caused. Yes, I did see some threads where things like tires that would spin in the rain were mentioned but only in small bits and pieces.

I thought it might be helpful to see some real world results from people who got to a certain hp level who then found driving the truck was not right for a daily driver. Just knowing that stopping at a given hp level for a daily driver could be helpful for those who want big power that is also usable every day.

I probably will never gain more hp than my hx35 will handle unless it needs to be replaced. Apparently that is around 300 hp if I remember correctly. I have a house to buy and a 1969 Chevelle 6 cylinder convertible (only 484 made) to restore (bundle of parts now) and spend lots of money on before I spend much money adding extra power (free mods are great) just so I can have more power for those occasions it would be nice to have.

 

[95PoloZ]

I agree with Gasoline Sucks, 700 seems to be a good number to me. In my Camaro it currently makes 430 rwhp and weighs in at ~3400#s, the new motor should be easily 750+ to the wheels and I will DD it when its nice out. But as far as letting other people drive it....no, and the same goes for my truck. My brothers and a couple close friends that also drive modded cars are the only exceptions.

But there are also people out there that shouldn't be allowed to drive smart cars, let alone a modified truck. Its actually scary to think about

 

[estrada5.9]

Nah, I was just trying to figure out just who would let an idiot drive their 700 hp truck. :coocoo

Google: Valet switch Mr. hick.

Instantly neuters 700hp.