Everybody is used to diesels being reliable work trucks, but what about hot rods? To drive the point home that diesel trucks really are performance vehicles, we decided to compare an '09 Chevrolet 2500 HD with the 6.6L Duramax diesel and six-speed Allison transmission to Chevrolet's newest muscle car offering-the '10 Camaro equipped with a 426hp V-8 and a six-speed manual transmission. In stock form, the pickup's 365 hp is no match for the Camaro's lighter weight and higher power figure, so we made a single modification to the truck: an aftermarket programmer. For more power via electronic tuning, we contacted Pacific Performance Engineering and explained our comparison. The truck had to be completely stock except for programming, and the stock exhaust (including the DPF), intake, and transmission all had to be retained. We think you'll be surprised at the result.
2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD
Extended Cab ShortBed
MSRP: $42,430 (plus $1,000 for programmer)
Engine: 6.6L Duramax diesel - PPE Hot + 2 E.T.
Horsepower: 560 hp at 3,200 rpm
Torque: 1,175 lb-ft at 2,300 rpm
0 to 60 mph: 4.4 seconds (estimated)
Quarter-mile: 13.0 seconds at 103 mph
Top Speed: 140 mph (estimated)
Fuel Economy: 16 to 17 mpg
Weight: 6,800 pounds
Seating Capacity: 5+
Cargo Capacity: 60 cubic feet
Towing Capability: 13,000 pounds
How's that for close? For about $8,000 extra, you get a truck that runs the quarter-mile in the same amount of time as the Camaro, has a better 0-to-60-mph time (thanks to four-wheel drive), and almost matches the Camaro in terms of fuel economy-despite being 3,000 pounds heavier. The best part is, the truck seats more passengers, is more comfortable, has six times the cargo space, and can tow and haul an infinite amount more-because the Camaro can't tow at all. Are diesel pickups hot rods? Yes, they are-perhaps the most versatile hot rods ever made.
2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
MSRP: $35,380
Engine: 6.2L LS3
Horsepower: 426 hp at 5,900 rpm
Torque: 420 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm
0 to 60 mph: 4.8 seconds
Quarter-mile: 13.0 seconds at 111 mph
Top Speed: 155 mph
Fuel Economy: 20 mpg
Weight: 3,849 pounds
Seating Capacity: 4
Cargo Capacity: 11.3 cubic feet
Towing Capacity: None