5.4 vs Hemi
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Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Pearl Harbor
5.4 vs Hemi
Some may remember that I was looking for a SUV about 2 months back. I ended up buying a 2005 Durango AWD Limited w/ Hemi. As I'm fairly certain there ain't many people with both a 5.4 and Hemi in the driveway...I figured I would put some observations up.
Basic Specs:
Hemi:
Power and Driveability:
Hemi:
MPG:
The ever important question. Although, why does anybody buy a V-8 if they're worried about gas mileage? It ain't a deciding factor for me. Safety and Power are my deciders.
Hemi:
Hemi:
I'm not trying to convert anybody, just putting it out there. My experiences with the Hemi have given me a whole new respect for Dodge. Time will tell how the rest of it holds together.
, I still prefer my F-150. It's fun having more HP, but the F-150 is just nicer in all other respects.
Basic Specs:
Hemi:
335 HP
370 TQ
16 Sparkplugs
5.4: 370 TQ
16 Sparkplugs
300 HP
365 TQ
Sparkplugs that like to stick and break
365 TQ
Sparkplugs that like to stick and break
Power and Driveability:
Hemi:
Around town, not a bad motor. It's manners leave something to be desired. I am reminded of my younger days when I had a 383 Stroker running on Leaded gas. There is power at low RPM's, but the motor doesn't really come into it's own until 2300 RPM. The throttle is extremely touchy and jumpy, and honestly the power is iffy feeling at low RPM. Sometimes though, I've done a few AWD burnouts. Those are just plain fun and a different experience from the norm. 
Out on the highway, give it some throttle and watch out. Very quick. 5.4 is no contest against the Hemi on the highway.
5.4:Out on the highway, give it some throttle and watch out. Very quick. 5.4 is no contest against the Hemi on the highway.
As we all know, power is down low, and has nice manners at low speeds. The 5.4 out accelerates from 0-30 mph...hands down. Not exactly a runner on the highway, but defineately gets the job done. No complaints here
MPG:
The ever important question. Although, why does anybody buy a V-8 if they're worried about gas mileage? It ain't a deciding factor for me. Safety and Power are my deciders.
Hemi:
I can't honestly compare it vs. the 5.4. The Durango has a 5 speed with 3.55 gears. I consistently get 14 mpg around town with 95% of my driving 0-40 mph. I get about 0 highway mileage. I need to do a tune-up, and then I'm guessing I might get 15-16 mpg. Can't offer highway MPG since there isn't a dang highway to try it out. 
5.4:On the mainland, I got 14-15 mpg mixed driving. Lately, the truck gets 12-13 mpg every single tank. Like the Durango, it only gets driven 0-40 mph 100% of the time (commuter). I have previously gotten 21 mpg on the highway though. On a plus side, I only fill up 1 time/month.
Modability:Hemi:
Old school tech here. Cams/Rockers/Pushrods/Heads/Intake/Exhaust...you name it, the sky is the limit. A popular item is the 6.1 SRT 8 Cam. Adds about 25 HP and TQ for <$200. Add a tuner and your close to 400 HP pretty quick...and for under $1,000
5.4:Yeah...Tuner, CAI, Exhaust, Headers...and Forced Induction. Mod Motors are great stock, but suck some serious a** when you want more.
I'm not trying to convert anybody, just putting it out there. My experiences with the Hemi have given me a whole new respect for Dodge. Time will tell how the rest of it holds together.
, I still prefer my F-150. It's fun having more HP, but the F-150 is just nicer in all other respects.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,175
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From: here and there
Some may remember that I was looking for a SUV about 2 months back. I ended up buying a 2005 Durango AWD Limited w/ Hemi. As I'm fairly certain there ain't many people with both a 5.4 and Hemi in the driveway...I figured I would put some observations up.
Basic Specs:
Hemi:
Power and Driveability:
Hemi:
MPG:
The ever important question. Although, why does anybody buy a V-8 if they're worried about gas mileage? It ain't a deciding factor for me. Safety and Power are my deciders.
Hemi:
Hemi:
I'm not trying to convert anybody, just putting it out there. My experiences with the Hemi have given me a whole new respect for Dodge. Time will tell how the rest of it holds together.
, I still prefer my F-150. It's fun having more HP, but the F-150 is just nicer in all other respects.
Basic Specs:
Hemi:
335 HP
370 TQ
16 Sparkplugs
5.4: 370 TQ
16 Sparkplugs
300 HP
365 TQ
Sparkplugs that like to stick and break
365 TQ
Sparkplugs that like to stick and break
Power and Driveability:
Hemi:
Around town, not a bad motor. It's manners leave something to be desired. I am reminded of my younger days when I had a 383 Stroker running on Leaded gas. There is power at low RPM's, but the motor doesn't really come into it's own until 2300 RPM. The throttle is extremely touchy and jumpy, and honestly the power is iffy feeling at low RPM. Sometimes though, I've done a few AWD burnouts. Those are just plain fun and a different experience from the norm.
Out on the highway, give it some throttle and watch out. Very quick. 5.4 is no contest against the Hemi on the highway.
5.4:Out on the highway, give it some throttle and watch out. Very quick. 5.4 is no contest against the Hemi on the highway.
As we all know, power is down low, and has nice manners at low speeds. The 5.4 out accelerates from 0-30 mph...hands down. Not exactly a runner on the highway, but defineately gets the job done. No complaints here
MPG:
The ever important question. Although, why does anybody buy a V-8 if they're worried about gas mileage? It ain't a deciding factor for me. Safety and Power are my deciders.
Hemi:
I can't honestly compare it vs. the 5.4. The Durango has a 5 speed with 3.55 gears. I consistently get 14 mpg around town with 95% of my driving 0-40 mph. I get about 0 highway mileage. I need to do a tune-up, and then I'm guessing I might get 15-16 mpg. Can't offer highway MPG since there isn't a dang highway to try it out.
5.4:]On the mainland, I got 14-15 mpg mixed driving. Lately, the truck gets 12-13 mpg every single tank. Like the Durango, it only gets driven 0-40 mph 100% of the time (commuter). I have previously gotten 21 mpg on the highway though. On a plus side, I only fill up 1 time/month.]
Modability:Hemi:
Old school tech here. Cams/Rockers/Pushrods/Heads/Intake/Exhaust...you name it, the sky is the limit. A popular item is the 6.1 SRT 8 Cam. Adds about 25 HP and TQ for <$200. Add a tuner and your close to 400 HP pretty quick...and for under $1,000
5.4:Yeah...Tuner, CAI, Exhaust, Headers...and Forced Induction. Mod Motors are great stock, but suck some serious a** when you want more.
I'm not trying to convert anybody, just putting it out there. My experiences with the Hemi have given me a whole new respect for Dodge. Time will tell how the rest of it holds together.
, I still prefer my F-150. It's fun having more HP, but the F-150 is just nicer in all other respects.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Augusta
My complaints with the hemi: 1) plastic valve covers- yuck!!!!!
2) Darn MDS- too little improvement in mileage for the cluster crap to deal with once the MDS system screws up. Also, couldn't stand the flip-flopping in and out of 8 cylinders to 4 to 8 to 4 to 8. Stupid for a truck....
Other than that, I would love to have one. Esp. compared with the injectors and plug problems with the 5.4. Dumb-ss FMC
2) Darn MDS- too little improvement in mileage for the cluster crap to deal with once the MDS system screws up. Also, couldn't stand the flip-flopping in and out of 8 cylinders to 4 to 8 to 4 to 8. Stupid for a truck....
Other than that, I would love to have one. Esp. compared with the injectors and plug problems with the 5.4. Dumb-ss FMC
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, Ga
I got 19.8 on my 2 hr trip home the other day. A third of that being through Atlanta. I just babied the throtle. No hard starts and slowed down way before red lights to try and catch them on green. Never went over 60 either. Im driving the same thing Tylus is cept mine is a Lariat.
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Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Pearl Harbor
Cruise Control, Highway driving, Mental State of "Grandpa"...properly aired tires, fresh Air Filter, fresh oil.
that was also with 600#'s in the bed and 3 people in the cab.
I thought it was a fluke myself, but it's repeatable. Just get on the highway and go. Short highway trips (100-200) miles and I get 18-19 mpg easy...65-70 mph also. MPG drops significantly over 70 mph.
If the Hemi was a "truck" motor, it would win hands down. It's more a "car" motor though. Power just isn't where you need it in a Truck.
also, while it's not as fast as my Mustang GT was, it is pretty damn close. The Hemi is no slouch once you get it in the upper RPM's. The speedo is only 0-120...and that dial sweeps pretty quickly
that was also with 600#'s in the bed and 3 people in the cab.
I thought it was a fluke myself, but it's repeatable. Just get on the highway and go. Short highway trips (100-200) miles and I get 18-19 mpg easy...65-70 mph also. MPG drops significantly over 70 mph.
also, while it's not as fast as my Mustang GT was, it is pretty damn close. The Hemi is no slouch once you get it in the upper RPM's. The speedo is only 0-120...and that dial sweeps pretty quickly
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 75
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That was a good comparison. I will say though, I used to spank a friend of mine's Hemi Ram 1500 all the time with my 4.6 Explorer. They were both '03s. I had intake, headers, exhaust and a tune on my Explorer and he had intake and exhaust on his Ram. From a dead stop it was no contest. I easily took him by a car length and he never caught up. It really used to tick him off.