AH64ID,

You said the following:

Not all SO trucks were Cali, but all Cali trucks were SO. The SO was 250hp and the Cali was 235hp.

Pistons and valves are identical in HO and SO. The only difference is programing and the size of the piston cooling jets. All 5.9's have piston cooling jets, but the HO's have larger ones. I am not sure anyone has ever been effected by having the smaller jets.



Thanks for clarifying !

 

Thanks for all the information!!!! Very Helpfull!!!

I called and asked some more questions today about the pickup, the valve cover says 235hp. Will the cat give me any problems if I turn it up to HO power levels.

Anyone know how the 5speeds are holding up in these pickups? and which one it would be I see there is a NV4500 and a NV4500HD but I don't know which if either Dodge used, I will be pulling trailers with it. 10,000lb sould catch the loaded trailer most of the time, I really don't intend on pulling over a 15,000 loaded trailer with it.

The splits in that five speed would work very well with a Gear Venders.

Thanks
Jeremy

 

The five-speed manual offered for the 2004 model is a NV4500HD unit.

Differential Ratios Offered:
3.73 and 4.10

Maximum Tow Ratings:
2500 regular cab and quad cab, 4x2 and 4x4, 235 HP/460ft-lbs torque engine:
▪ five-speed, 3.73 differential – 18,000 GCWR
▪ five-speed, 4.10 differential – 20,000 GCWR

 

The trans should hold up but you may want to consider a better clutch setup if you are gonna tow heavy a lot.

I would also use the fact that it is an SO to bargain with. We all know it doesn't matter much but if you tell them you really wanted an HO then they may work with you a little more...

 

I'd rather have the 5spd trans over the 6spd. I have both.

 

Dropping a 5 speed in mine as soon as the 6 speed is sold, I don't ever tow anything that heavy with it anyway so why got through the extra gear? I have the 5 speed sitting in the shop, just finished going through it last night, so now it sits and waits.

 

Why? You have more time in the powerband with the 6-speed. I have towed with the guys who have 5 speeds, and they are hating life.. too many or too few rpms at certain speeds.... Even around town they say how much they would prefer a 6 speed.

 

Lest anyone think they are handicapped with the SO, look at my sig...

What was said above is correct. Same pistons and valves... both have oil cooling jets... in 04.5 and above, changes then included different pistons (not necessarily better pistons, just a different bowl), different injector spray angles to accommodate the new piston bowl, sodium filled valves and new valve seats, and "j" style jets for piston cooling. (an improvement over the "saddle" style jets)

If you get a smarty, it raises an SO to HO levels and then adds power. In the end, with a smarty, there is no power difference between SO and HO.

 

[QUOTE=MMpuller;2688422]Thanks for all the information!!!! Very Helpfull!!!

I called and asked some more questions today about the pickup, the valve cover says 235hp. Will the cat give me any problems if I turn it up to HO power level

I don't believe it has or came with a CAT.

 

If its a 235hp motor then its a Cali motor, and it has a Cat.

You shouldn't get issues, but non-stock tuning may cause the cat to plug or fill sooner, causing performance issues. Depending on where you live it may never get notice if the Cat is hiding in the attic :-)

One thing about the 235hp motor is it is physically the same as the 305, but due to 70hp less it hasn't been nearly as abused or heated.

 

235 hp SOs are the CALI Smog edition and did indeed come with a CAT....

 

Thanks for the info.

 

when Im not towing I drive my 6 speed like a 3 speed.2 4 6 works good and fast.

 

I had the SO with a 47re transmission and "PUKE" it was terrible. My 2001 HO with the 6spd was awesome! My 06 with the G56 was even better..... MO-POWA

 

Thanks for all the info I know now what I'm getting into and have some information to deal with.

Jeremy