The question is simple. Which pickup truck is faster? A first generation Ford Raptor with the 6.2L gas V8 or a first generation 6.6L Duramax V8-powered Chevy Silverado 2500 HD. Roman and I have been driving these trucks for the last few years, but we have not had a chance to put them up against each other in a friendly drag race.
This is a classic diesel versus gas mashup. The diesel truck has less horsepower and more torque (6.6L Duramax V8: 300 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque), when compared to the 6.2L gas V8 with 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque. The Duramax diesel is backed up by a 5-speed Allison automatic transmission. The Raptor has Ford’s 6-speed automatic.
The Raptor’s powertrain is all stock, while the Chevy has two modifications: an Airaid intake system and a MBRP exhaust system. The Duramax ECU is in stock tune.
Our test facility at IMI Motorsports is at about one mile above sea level. Roughly speaking, we have about 17% less air density here and naturally aspirated engines (such as the 6.2L V8 in the Raptor) are down on power and tend to lose about 1.5 seconds in 0-60 MPH acceleration tests. Turbocharged or supercharged engines do better at elevation, but they cannot completely make up for the lack of air pressure.
We expected that the Duramax will be slower than the Raptor in this drag race. We were surprised!
