Originally Posted by atikovi
Originally Posted by supton
Casual poking around indicate the 453T was used in 18k to 26k GVWR applications. Which would have that engine wrung out on any hill. More than up to the task in an unloaded F350.
OK but a 15 speed or whatever number of gears they use in big trucks compensates a good bit. Seems pretty high strung if you compare the spec between the two. Kinda like the 350 HP AMG 4 cylinder engines Mercedes puts in 4,000 pound sedans.
2 stroke Detroits were generally driven as if you were mad at them--keep 'em wound out, they didn't care for lugging around.
Number of gears doesn't matter that much--having the right one does, and loaded up, no matter what, they were slowing down. 175hp is always 175hp, regardless of tq. A 15 speed just means that many more gears to click down through. [Guessing most 453's had 5+2's behind them? maybe some 13's?]
Finally, while hp is nice and all, it's more of a recent thing to tow fast. The great half-ton (and larger) towing wars came after the heyday of the Detroit.