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Two of the biggest names in American diesel trucks are Powerstroke and Cummins. Powerstroke is the diesel engine from Ford, and Cummins is in newer RAM and older Dodge trucks. Both of these major brands appeal to prospective truck buyers. How do you know which diesel is better? A closer look at these engines should give you the answer.
The Cummins Turbo-Diesel is the older brand by far. The first-ever Cummins diesel engine dates back to 1919. But Chrysler didn’t use the Cummins in Dodge trucks until roughly 1988. The first Cummins in these trucks was the trailblazing 5.9-liter six-cylinder.
1992 Dodge Power Ram 250 Cummins 4×4 with a 5.9-liter Cummins intercooled turbodiesel inline-six. Source: Bring a Trailer
This engine revolutionized the diesel market, thanks to its turbocharger, something neither Ford nor General Motors diesel engines had at the time. The Cummins also featured direct injection and 400 pound-feet of torque. This early model was one of the most popular diesel engines, its legacy nearly spanning decades until 2007 when strict emissions standards prompted the creation of the 6.7-liter.
From 1983-1987, Ford had 6.9-liter and 7.3L IDI diesel engines manufactured by International Harvester. The first Powerstroke Diesel, a 7.3-liter engine, wasn’t introduced until early 1994. Like the Cummins, the first Powerstroke diesel engine quickly rose to fame, becoming an industry leader.
1995 Ford F-350 XLT with a 7.3L Powerstroke. Source: Bring a Trailer
It was available for years until, like the Cummins, new emissions standards required the engine to change. The next Powerstroke was a 6.0L, which was more powerful than the previous engine but also came plagued with problems. Head gasket failure and chronically clogged EGR valves were frequent issues with this model.
Diesel trucks are popular for many reasons, including their towing capacity. Towing requires torque for power, and diesel trucks are great at generating torque, especially compared to their gas counterparts. It makes diesel trucks proficient at handling boats, campers, trailers, and other heavy equipment. How much torque a Cummins or Powerstroke engine makes depends on the truck’s make and model.
The first generation Powerstroke, the 7.3L, created 425 pound-feet of torque. The following generation improved upon that with 570 pound-feet of torque. Then came the 6.4L with 650 pound-feet of torque and the 6.7L with 1,050 pound-feet of torque. During the 2023 model year, the 6.7L Powerstroke introduced a high-output variant capable of up to 1,200 pound-feet torque.
As previously mentioned, the first Cummins was capable of 400 pound-feet of torque. The 6.7-liter engine upgraded to 650 pound-feet torque. The most recent iteration reaches 850 to 1075 pound-feet of torque, depending on the truck model.
The Powerstroke and Cummins are neck-and-neck in torque production, with Powerstroke only having a slight advantage. When determining torque, a truck’s model matters more than whether the engine is a Powerstroke or a Cummins. For example, a 2024 RAM 3500 can reach a maximum torque of 1,075 pound-feet. The 2024 Super Duty uses the high-output version of the Powerstroke for a maximum torque of 1,200 pound-feet.
The Cummins 6.7L and Powerstroke 6.7L diesel engines
As mentioned above, most people buy diesel trucks for their superior torque output. However, horsepower is also important for towing and hauling. It enables the truck to get up to speed faster. In general, the Powerstroke engines have offered more horsepower over the years than Cummins engines. The 6.7L Cummins makes between 370-420 horsepower, while the 6.7L Powerstroke makes 450-475 horsepower.
Towing capacity isn’t determined just by the engine, it also depends on a truck’s structural design. Towing capacity can vary among models or even trim types, depending on their equipment. Some trims are even geared towards towing capacity and improving a truck’s towing abilities. If you want the highest capacity, you’ll likely find it on a 2WD trim. When comparing different trims of the exact same models, a truck’s 4WD option will always outperform its 2WD.
Cummins and Powerstroke engines are tied in towing capacity. Cummins and Powerstroke engines, best case scenario, can both tow over 26,000 pounds. Keep in mind, 26,000 pounds is far above what the average truck owner can tow. In the US, you need a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) to tow anything over 10,000 lbs. Most popular towing items, including campers and boats, fit within this capacity, so either engine is more than capable.
Diesel pickups are primarily work vehicles, so potential buyers focus less on their fuel economy. If you pay attention, you’ll find that diesel engines have improved fuel economy over gas engines. Heavy-duty diesel truck manufacturers are exempt from reporting fuel economy estimates to the EPA for trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 8,500 pounds. For that reason, there aren’t “official” MPG numbers for heavy-duty diesel trucks.
Light-duty trucks with smaller Cummins/Powerstroke engines, like the Nissan Titan, do get tested. Ford’s light-duty truck, the F-150, also gets tested, but Ford discontinued the diesel engine option for the F-150 in 2021.
According to self-testing from Car and Driver, the 2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty with the 6.7L V8 diesel engine gets 20 MPG on the highway. In comparison, the 2024 RAM HD with the 6.7L Cummins diesel gets 16 MPG under the same conditions.
The Cummins Turbo Diesel is considered the more reliable of the two engines. Ford model trucks are still known for being more reliable and longer-lasting than RAM pickups. Both engines may run into issues, including some of the following:
Some of these issues depend on how the engine is used. The 6.7L Cummins exhaust manifold might shrink and crack, and this problem is found in Cummins trucks that tow frequently. The Powerstroke Diesel’s turbocharger problems pop up more in tuned engines, whose extra horsepower and torque cause the turbo’s ball bearings to degrade.
Ford, RAM, and Nissan all have a warranty on their diesel pickups. Ford and RAM trucks typically include a limited 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
The Cummins is arguably the most popular diesel engine, and it has the most name recognition. This is likely due to how long it’s been around. Buyers looking for their first diesel pickup might lean towards the Cummins for this reason alone. In terms of the trucks themselves, the RAM is also a popular truck. However, Ford trucks in both diesel and gas forms have long been among the best-selling vehicles in America for many years. This is especially true of the F-150.
Because it has been around longer, Cummins is arguably the most popular of the two and has the most name recognition. First-time diesel truck buyers might be swayed toward the Cummins for brand recognition alone. RAM trucks are very popular, but the Ford F-Series has consistently been America’s top-selling truck. In 2023, Ford sold 135,128 diesel-powered F-Series trucks, which is a 12% increase from the previous year.
Q4 2023 U.S. Diesel Vehicle Sales by Brand and Model – Source
| – |
Powerstroke |
Cummins |
| Engine: | 6.7-liter Powerstroke | Cummins B-Series |
| Layout: | V8 | Inline-six |
| Displacement: | 6.7 liters | 6.7 liters (408 cubic inches) |
| Power: | 450 horsepower at 2,800 RPM | 400 horsepower at 2,800 rpm with automatic transmission only on the RAM 3500 |
| Torque: | 1,050 pound-feet at 1,800 RPM | 1,000 pound-feet at 1,600 rpm with automatic transmission only on the RAM 3500 |
| Turbo: | Single variable-geometry | Single variable-geometry |
| Transmission: | Ten-speed automatic | Six-speed automatic |
| Head: | Aluminum alloy | Cast iron |
| Block: | Compacted graphite iron | Cast iron |
| Bore x stroke: | 3.90 x 4.25 inches | 4.21 x 4.88 inches |
| Compression ratio: | 16.2:1 | 16.2:1 |
| Valvetrain: | Overhead valve with four valves per cylinder | Overhead valve with four valves per cylinder |
Ultimately, Cummins and Powerstroke engines are very similar in performance and capability. They provide comparable horsepower, and torque, and give non-commercial drivers all the towing capacity they need. Your decision comes down to personal preference.
Whether you decide to buy a RAM Cummins diesel or a Ford Powerstroke diesel truck, you can count on ProSource Diesel to supply all the aftermarket diesel truck parts you need. We’ll help you get the most out of your truck.
