HO CONFUSED?

I bought a 2004 Dodge 2500 HD 4x4 from a co-worker last summer. He had ordered a new truck, and I was able to buy his old truck for what the dealer offered him for a trade-in (below market). Anyway, the truck is supposed to have a 5.9L HO Cummins engine. No one at my local Dodge dealer can tell me if it really is a HO engine. The HP rating is stamped 305, but the engine doesn't say anything about HO engine. I was told that the horsepower rating of the 2004 HO was 325HP. Dodge couldn't answer this question. Hopefully you can. The engine is great regardless. With a K&N & Magnaflow exhaust (suggested by your magazine, tuner next.) it is even better. Thanks, Jeremy Falcon Via Email Jeremy,

According to my info archive, the early 2004 model-year Dodge Cummins, when equipped with an automatic was not an HO, and was rated for 305-hp and 555 lb-ft of torque. The mid modelyear 2004.5 HO was bumped up to 325/600. These later engines got the “HO” designation, which can be found on a valve cover data plate. Yes, the 305 is still a great engine, and has a lot of potential. Thanks for writing.