Uhhh... that's not what he said. Dodge didn't even have the Hemi 10 years ago, it came out in 2003. He just said 10 years ago 300hp in a pickup was unheard of, and that's true. Being gasoline was understood I think, diesels are in their own class. I should know, I had one pushing near 1000 lbs tq. =)
And this isn't a worship the big 3, quick to get defensive aren't we? Before Dodge came out with the Hemi, ALL manufacturers were just increasing their power every year by a little, even the big 3. No one was over 300hp, and Dodge didn't just go over it, they jumped to a huge 345, which forced everyone to step up quite a bit... even the big 3.
Again, I took away from Dodge's credit that I think their #'s were overrated a hair, I owned 2, but it didn't matter, that forced everyone (including Ford & GM), to step up their power.
I don't think an engine made 30 years ago proves much about current productions in the past 10 years which is what is being talked about... because in the past 20 years there hasn't been that much power in a gas pickup period.
Heck, look at Chevy, they are still worshiping their 5.3L in most of their trucks, and it's way behind most of the competition... 330hp, 338 lbs. tq? Yes, they got the 6.0L, but do you know how hard they are to find in non high-end models compared to finding like a Hemi or 5.7L? They are rare, I've looked. They need to step it up, and will with the 6.2L, but they're behind IMO. Ford is also behind with their old 5.4L pushing what... 300 or so hp and 365 lbs. torque?
So no... not a worship the big 3 thread sorry, just a statement that one of them broke the mold and forced the others to step up, hence why we now have a lovely 5.7L Tundra I'm really craving.
