Drafter

Previously I had understood that it was risky at best to put something like an edge ez on a truck with the 48RE auto. Now that we know what the numbers are going to be on the new HO I'm wondering if any changes are going to be made to the 48RE to handle these increases. If no changes are going to be made than it shouldn't be a problem to put a box on. Yes or no?????

doug

too soon to tell, but heres some thoughts:

1. Dodge just recently put a lot of work into the 48RE. Just my opinion, but I bet they've built it to stand up to the new cummins 600. Its possible that they're planning some additional work on it, but the stakes are so high that I think they beefed it up already to accomodate future needs, including the cummins 600. Just my opinion, but I think work on this tranny now is likely concentrated on the exhaust brake side of things. Unless of course they find something really bad, which hasn't happend in 2 years in the field (since the 2003 model intro)

2. same goes for the axles, U-joints, recently re-sourced from American Axle. all very robust.

3. The transfer case is already a tank. the NV271 and 273 come from the Chrysler half of the New Venture Gear arrangement (as opposed to the NV5600 transmission, which came from the GM half). It is spec'd for vehicles who's gross vehicle weight is 17,500 lbs! it also has an input torque spec of way more than twice what the Cummins 600 will deliver in 1st gear (600 * 5.63)

Mopar_Mudder

[quote author=Doug link=board=20;threadid=23468;start=0#msg220372 date=1070927607]
Unless of course they find something really bad, which hasn't happend in 2 years in the field (since the 2003 model intro)

[/quote]

The 48RE hasn't been around for 2 years, it just came out in Jan of 2003, late Jan I believe, that is less then a year. But you would have to assume that they planned ahead for this......

doug

oops thanks mopar. So Im with you on the planning thing -- they had to have known at 48RE intro time that the cummins 600 was coming in another 12 months.

really, the new engine is only an 8% increase on torque. Its not like the 04.5s are going to blow away the 04s. Here's what it does mean (1st order approximation of physics...):

1. The 04.5 can maintain towing speed on steeper hills. how much steeper? about 25 feet per mile steeper! oooohh, well that makes me want to trade in my 04 right now.

2. The 04.5 can accelerate faster. how much faster? well, top speed after an equal acceleration time will be like 65 mph instead of 60 -- thats for the automatic under the most optimum conditions (meaning the improvement won't be quite that much). whoopie! and remember that the higher peak torque of the 04.5 requries 1600 rpm instead of 1400 rpm.

But at least the numbers look more manly ...

HOHN

That's why I stuck with my '02. It's WAY cheaper to BOMB it to the level I want than to trade up. Besides, I LIKE the fact that it's loud.

I just wish I didn't have the VP44. I would prefer the fire-hydrant like fueling abilitites of the HPCR engines. But with 700hp being achieved from the stock VP, I guess it will fuel enough for my needs. :

Justin

doug

The 2004.5s have a new turbocharger. just heard that from DC. they didn't give any specifics though.

Lightman

Yes, theyve said for months they would probably be goign to a new VGT turbo. IMO it's a band aid for the lost power due to the addition of whatever mystery emissions devices they are adding.

doug

vgt is required for egr, and won't be found on the engine if in fact there is no egr. Cummins told me that. yea, if the new 04.5s have vgt and egr, the vgt will be there as a bandaid to support egr.

But if what the DC call center says to me is true, the 04.5s will have a different turbo, 5 inch exhaust turbo to muff, and 4 inch exhaust muff to tail, and no cat and no egr.

Big Bob

About the 48RE. When I was at Piers Dynomania in September, I talked with Bill Kondolay of Diesel Transmission Technology. He told me that the 48RE was a much improved transmission and many of his ideas or methods of enhancing the transmission performance have been incorportated into the 48RE. He felt that the 48RE would hold 400 to 420 HP if you were not pulling heavy, above 10,000#'s. Over 10,000#'s he suggested a torque converter, valve body and a few other trick in the tranny.

If the 48RE will hold 400 HP, that's good enough for me!