Diesel engines that are naturally aspirated are far more massive than gasoline engines of the same power for two reasons. First, it takes a larger capacity diesel engine than a gas engine to produce the same amount of power. Essentially, this is because the diesel can’t operate as quickly. The rev limit is slower, because getting the correct fuel to air ratio into a diesel engine fast enough is more difficult than a gas engine. The second reason is due to the fact that a diesel engine needs to be stronger to withstand the higher combustion pressure needed for ignition.

Diesel engines also produce very little carbon monoxide as they burn the fuel in excess air except at full loading capacity, where a full quantity of fuel is injected per cycle. They can however, produce a black soot from the exhaust, which consists of unburned carbon compounds.

Often times, this is caused by worn injectors, which don’t atomize the fuel sufficiently enough, or a faulty management system that allows more fuel to be injected that can then be burned with the available air.

For commercial use that requires towing, diesel engines tend to have more desirable torque. Diesel engines tend to have their torque peak quite low in their speed range which provides smoother control over heavy loads when starting from rest, crucially allowing the engine to be given higher loads at low speeds than a gas engine.

The lack of an electrical ignition system in diesel engines improves the reliability. The high durability of diesel engines is also due to the overbuilt nature as well as the combustion cycle, which will create a less violent change in pressure when compared to a gasoline type spark ignition engine. Diesel fuel is also a better lubricant than gasoline, so it is less harmful to the oil film on piston rings and cylinder bores – making it routine for diesel engines to go 250,000 miles or more without having to be rebuilt.

For several reasons, diesel proves to be better than spark engine ignition. Diesel engines last a lot longer, they offer more torque, and they are also more reliable. They are also more expensive as well, although you get what you pay for. If you have never owned a diesel vehicle, you owe it to yourself to see everything they offer you – and you’ll find yourself a very satisfied customer.

If you plan to use your truck for towing, value good fuel economy and plan to put plenty of miles on it, you may want a diesel. The price to buy a diesel truck is really high, although they can offer you a lot in return.

Below, you’ll find the leading vehicle manufacturers and what they offer you.

Dodge

The 2500 and 3500 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty trucks are the newest 3/4 and 1 ton trucks on the road. Back in 2002, the Ram didn’t have enough power with the 245 HP 9.5L. Dodge promised more powerful engines for the 2500/3500 platform and they delivered on that promise.

The new base engine is the 5.7L gasoline V-8 that’s not only the most powerful engine of the group at 345 HP but also revives the well known and historical Hemi name.

Ford

Ford helped push the 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck market to where it is today when it introduced it’s international engineered power stroke diesel back in 1994. Before 1994, these diesels were poorly built and no match for the big inch gasoline engines.

From 1994 to 2002, over 70% of super duty Fords were sold with the optional 7.3L V-8 diesel engine. This engine helped to put Ford among the leaders in diesel trucks, as they had more than they needed to dominate the market.

Chevrolet/GMC

The GM 2500/3500 twins Silverado HD and Sierra HD both come standard with GM’s 6.0L gas engine V-8. This engine is ideal for 3/4 ton trucks where towing isn’t a concern. The upgrades start with the 8.1L gas V-8 that’s based on Chevrolet’s venerable big block engine.

Over the years, diesel trucks have proven to be effecient with mileage, great for towing, and easy on maintenance. Unlike gas engines, diesel engines do not have spark plugs, which means you won’t need to get them tuned up near as much as gasoline engines.

For those who like to haul heavy loads on a frequent basis, diesel is the way to go. You can get quite a few miles per gallon, and diesel trucks are built to go 250,000 miles or more before the engine needs to be rebuit, making them a purchase that is more than worth your money.

The renewed interest in diesel as of late stems from its potential to improve passenger vehicle fuel economy. The best diesel passenger vehicles of today are more efficient on fuel than their gas counterparts, helping to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent or more.

There are some auto makers that are talking about re-introducing diesel into light duty markets as a solution for reducing global warming pollution from both cars and trucks. Another important reason is that the higher efficiency of diesels will provide a quick fix for manufacturers who are struggling to meet federal fuel economy standards for light trucks.

Even if the efficiency benefits of diesel do yield real world improvements on the economy, the potential climate change benefits are modest.

Even though diesel achieves more miles per gallon than gasoline, many are concerned about the impact that diesel passenger vehicles have on the economy. From time to time, the combustion in the engine can cause black emissions to spit from the exhaust, which is actually very bad for the economy.

While gas is actually the worst, diesel is taking strides to improve engines and the impact on the economy. Diesel is getting more and more popular these days, as gas prices continue to rise and rise.

Although diesel engines can have an impact on the economy, they are the way to go for those looking to conserve mileage. Diesel vehicles cost more than gas vehicles, although they will offer you more than you can expect. If you are looking for a quality ride, diesel is the way to go.

Due to the high compression ratios and resulting high cylinder pressure in diesel engines, they must be built to withstand a lot more punishment than gas engines. The parts that are spruced up include a thicker block and cylinder heads, pistons, crankshaft, and valves, which can be very costly indeed.

When it comes to the price, gas wins this one by far. Diesel costs a lot more to own than gas, which is one of the main reasons why people tend to choose gas over diesel.

Fuel cost

Diesel fuel is easier to refine, taking less time to get from raw petroleum to final product from gas, giving it a lower price than that of gas. On the other hand, within the United States, diesel is priced the same or just a bit below regular unleaded gas.

Noise and vibration

Despite many improvements in noise isolation and engine noise technology in trucks over the last 10 years, diesels are still much louder and shake more than gasoline powered vehicles. At idle, the clatter and shake of diesel vehicles are clearly noticeable, while it can be hard to tell if the gas engine is even running.

Cold weather

If you’ve tried to start a diesel engine on a cold day, you know that gas is by far easier to start. Diesels don’t have spark plugs like gas engines do, as the fuel is ignited once it’s injected into the cylinder that is already under pressure. When it gets cold, the air isn’t hot enough to ignite the diesel fuel.

Maintenance

Maintenance on a diesel vehicle is more expensive, thanks to many things including the larger volume of oil in the engine and the fact that fuel filters and water separators must be serviced more often than gas vehicles. Gasoline engines have a bigger advantage due to extended service periods on spark plugs, engine oil, and even antifreeze.

Making that final choice between gas and diesel comes down to what you’ll do with your vehicle and where you live. If you use your vehicle for quick, fast acceleration and rarely ever haul heavy loads, and don’t plan to keep your vehicle past 100,000 miles, you may want to consider buying a gasoline vehicle.

Gas runs smoother, fuel is easier to find, and they are easier to start in cold weather. On the other hand, if you plan to tow, value good fuel economy and plan on racking up a lot of miles, then you’ll want to buy a diesel.

Price is also an important consideration, as diesel vehicles can be a bit more expensive than gas. If you aren’t worried about price, then diesel may be your best bet. For trucks, diesel is by far the superior choice for those who like to haul heavy loads on a frequent basis.

The use of diesel engines is mandated by several large organizations. All NATO machinery for example, runs on either diesel or aviation grade kerosene. At the current level of technology, fossil fuels, and especially diesel are the most economical and convenient means of supplying power to a variety of equipment and even backup generators.

All industrial diesel engines can be either air cooled or water cooled. The smallest engines for residential purposes will typically provide about 10kW and cost a few thousand USD. These smaller scale engines power much of the mobile machinery we see around us on a daily basis, such as trucks, farm equipment, small boats, stationary process machinery, earth movers, and so on.

The medium scale industrial diesel engines can provide levels between a few hundred kW and a few thousand kW and are sold for prices in usually the thousands of dollars. These types are used in larger machinery such as larger mining equipment, oil rigs, trains, large boats, military equipment, and much more.

The largest of industrial diesel engines provide 10,000 to 80,000 kW, sold in the millions of dollars, and are used for ultra heavy equipment, electric power generation, and the largest of ships. Large industrial engines can be up to 49 feet side and run on low grade diesels. In places such as China, where there is a high demand for de-centralized power sources, these types of engines are often utilized.

Industral engines are classified in terms of their speed, or RPM (Rotations Per Minute). High RPM engines are normally used for the lighter, more common applications, such as trucks and other types of land equipment.

Medium RPM engines are generally used for power generation. Low RPM ranges, and high torque engines are used for the biggest type of equipment, such as marine equipment and applications.

For the most part, industrial diesel engines can vary in terms of size and performance. Chances are, you’ve either seen or used industrial equipment at some point in time. Although they cost a lot of money, they are the way to go with bigger equipment for getting the job done right the first time.

Therefore, when you consider the relative merits of deisel and gas cars, try knocking the MPG estimates for the diesel car down by 20 percent. A diesel vehicle will cost you a bit more, so you’ll get more bang for your buck from a gasoline vehicle.

The nasty rumors you hear about diesel are true as well – diesel is less refined than gas, or in other terms it’s dirtier. Diesel vehicles also emit more particulate matter and NOx, both of which are serious health hazards and air pollutants. Current diesel engines are more polluting per each mile they are driven than gas engines.

Using biodiesel on the other hand, will improve this situation. If biodiesel is available in your area, you’ll still need to examine whether a diesel is the right vehicle for you.

When you consider the facts, you have to ask yourself which models you can afford, what is the MPG, will engine be succifient for you, and the number of passengers the vehicle will accommodate. Then, given your budget, you can go from there.

There are numerous gas and diesel vehicles available, all you have to do is decide which one is right for you. If you research carefully, you’ll have the perfect vehicle for your entire family.

Both classes have their own specific advantages and uses. For autombiles, the four cycle engines is most used. For motor boats on the other hand, the two cycle engine is most often used.

The horse power of gas engines is designated as HP and also brake test HP. The IHP is the theoretical HP, which is found by figuring different formulas, in which the diameter of the bore, length of the stroke in inches, and number of revolutions per minute form the basis for calculation. The results are found by the use of such formulas.

The BTHP on the other hand, is the power the engine actually develops in service, and is considerably less than the IHP. Keep in mind, this depends upon the degree of the mechanical perfection attained in the construction of the same. If both the compression and construction are good, the engine may actually reach 80 – 88% of the intended IHP.

With gasoline engines, high HP and high RPM ranges are what makes them popular. Gas engines have always been more popular than diesel vehicles, for the simple fact that they can achieve more speed. If speed is what you are after, gasoline vehicles are what you should be looking for. Although they may lack in torque and raw power, they make up for it with speed and tuning options.

Fuel efficient mid size car – Toyota Prius hybrid (60 mpg city and 51 mpg highway) The Prius, unlike the Honda Insight, is capable of carrying 5 people plus their gear. The Prius will generate a total of 110 HP from its gasoline engine and electric motor. The sleek shape to the Prius has a low co-efficient drag although Toyota has managed to do this with a larger, yet more driver friendly vehicle than the Insight of Toyota.

Most efficient compact car – Honda Civic hybrid (49 mpg city and 51 mpg highway) With a reputation of being the cheapest hybrid in North America, the Civic hybrid takes the great design of the regular Civic and makes it a lot more efficient. With an output of 110 HP, the Civic hybrid is very competitive for the class.

Most efficient sub compact car – Volkswagon diesel (37 mpg city and 44 mpg highway) The Volkswagon Beetle diesel is ahead of even the sub compact hybrids. Making 100 HP, the Beetle diesel may not sound that powerful, although the 177 lb-foot of torque will put shame on every other vehicle in the same class.

Most efficient station wagon – Pontiac and Toyota (30 mpg city and 36 mpg highway) The Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix are both the result of a joint venture of Toyota and General Motors. Both vehicles come equipped with Toyota engines, although a lot of the design and engineering came from General Motors. Both the Matrix and the Vibe are versatile with active lifestyles. With a fuel efficient 1.8L 4 cylinder that produces 126 HP, the Matrix and the Vibe aren’t going to win a street race although they make up for it with smoothness, efficiency, and refinement.

Most efficient large car – Hyundai Sonata (24 mpg city and 34 mpg highway) The Sonata is a major surprise, beating out very stiff competition. The 2.4L 4 cylinder engine is very smooth, responsive, and powerful. The suspension however, is soft, and geared more towards comfort than handling. This isn’t a BMW, although the build quality is great, clearly demonstrating that Hyundai is no longer a second rate manufacturer.

At the top of the piston stroke, the diesel fuel is injected into the combustion chamber at high pressure, then through an atomizing nozzle, it mixes with the hot high pressured air. The resulting mixture will ignite and burn very rapidly. This combustion will cause the gas in the chamber to heat up rapidly, which increases the pressure and forces the piston downwards.

The connecting rod will transmit this motion to the crankshaft. The scavenging of the engine is either done by ports or valves. To get the most out of a diesel engine, use of a turbocharger to compress the intake of air is vital. You can also use an aftercooler or intercooler to cool the intake air after compression by the turbocharger to further increase your efficiency.

An important part of older diesel engines was the govenor, which limited the speed of the engine by controlling the rate of fuel that was delivered. Unlike gas engines, the air that comes in is not throttled, so the engine would overspeed if this wasn’t done. Older style injection systems were driven by a gear system that came from the engine.

The diesel engine is truly an advancement to vehicles as we know it. As technology gets better, you can expect the diesel engine to get better as well, possibly even proving just how much better it is to the gasoline engine.

Diesels have experienced a great history here in the United States. In 1980, General Motors modified their 350ci gas V8 to run on diesel fuel. The result however, wasn’t that god. These engines offered better fuel economy but little else. They were very slow, and not very reliable.

Mercedes Benz on the other hand, had better luck in the 1980s with an array of vehicles available with diesel engines. These great vehicles offered amazing durability although they were rough, noisy, and smoked quite a bit. Volkswagon offered diesel as well, although they had a habit for spewing blue smoke from the tail pipe.

Throughout the 90s, Benz and Volkwagon offered diesel vehicles in the United States, with each generation becoming cleaner, smoother, and more powerful than the last. Overall, they were a tough sell as they still lacked the horsepower that many were seeking.

Today, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Volkswagon, Ford, and many other manufacturers are offering diesels to many markets throughout the world. To put it simple, forget everything you know or think you know about diesel engines in the United States.

These newer engines benefit from hundreds of technical innovations. There are several diesels in Europe that offer better acceleration than their gasoline counter parts. BMW’s 120d has 163bhp, goes 0 – 60 in under 8 seconds, and achieves 49.6 miles per gallon.

Benz offers the C320 CDI SE that has 224bhp, and over 360 lb foot of torque. This car gets just under 48 mpg on the highway, with an acceleration of 0 – 60 in under 7 seconds. Throughout North America, you won’t find a gasoline engine that offers this unique blend of fuel economy and excellent performance.

The reason why diesels haven’t caught on in North America comes down to one word – sulfur. We have too much sulfur in the diesel here in the United States. This cheap grade of diesel fuel will run havoc on the more sophisticated diesels offered overseas and cause an increase in emissions.

There is hope however, as refiners will soon be producing what is known as ultra low sulfur diesel fuel. This will help to reduce the sulfur content from 500ppm to 15ppm.