The 12v or 24 v cummins???

[olde_ram85]

I'm looking to buy a 4x4 manual cummins and dont know which motor to go for, i know the 24 valve motors have some more power but i talked to a guy that gets 23mpg out of his 98 4x4 auto, 12v, which motor is going to get better mpg??

[fox]

That is a tough question.
I had a 95 auto Cummins. I still hate the fact that I traded it. I now have a 02 auto Cummins. It is a great truck too.
The 95, with the mechanical injection pump was a beast with torque. I am surprised the factory hitch stayed on it. The Cummins was not stock. Most of its usable power was below 2400 rpm.
This 24 valve motor is best pulling when over 1800 rpm.It will run to 3400, it is not stock either.
If this truck gets wrecked, I plan to look for a 12 valve. With the mods available now it would be an improved set-up. I got a best MPG of 23.5 with thw 12 valve. Every day driving was 17. The 24 valve is 2 mpg under that.
It all depends on what you want to do with it. Towing? Go 12 valve. Racing, leans toward 24 valve.
Remember, with a diesel, you want torque, don't even worry about the horsepower, since it is rpm dependent.

[TK]

I have a buddy with both, he likes his 12V better. (better MPG, more low end.)

[cageman]

Easier and cheaper to work on too, right?

[fox]

And less need to work on it!!
Unless you need more power, then that is cheaper and easier.
The best mod to those is a govenor spring kit. This will allow it to rev a little higher. 3400 won't hurt it.
Then a fuel plate.

[olde_ram85]

thnaks guys that helped alot, wow 23.5 out of an old 95 thats awesome a 5speed would be even better yet, i really wont be doing much towing at all, once in awhile but nothing on a regular basis, daily driver, and the occausional playracing, i just have always loved the cummins and i want a newer dodge ram to drive but the mpg on a v8 would kill me i already have a 440 sittin in my wagon, so it'd be pointless 2 have 2 gas eating trucks, i never really even thought of that fact that a 12v would be cheaper and easier to mod untill now!

[ss/tmall]

get a ford i have 2 one is a 83 with a 6.9 n the other is a 03 with a 6.0 its fast n lots of power.

[cageman]

Id rather be Cummin, than strokin. Ha

[olde_ram85]

one other issue, my buddy test drove a 97 5spd 4x4 and said that the 5speeds wrap out pretty fast cant get much more than 80-85mph out of them with it pinned, i know big trucks arent much of a race vehicle but there are times when i'm in a hurry and may need to be crusie'n around 90 or so without redlining the motor