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Old 05-12-2018, 03:08 AM   #1
jack65
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Best Temps & RPM range for driving in mountains with 8 speed tranny?

Two questions?

1. What is the best RPM range for driving in the mountains with an 8 speed tranny with 5.7 Hemi? I'm going to Mt Rainier Paradise around noon today and it's fairly steep and I've read where a 8 speed tranny can overheat going back n forth too much, so I think manually shifting would be best, so what is a good RPM range for that, like what is too low/lugging and what is too high/rpms? I want to get use to driving this before towing my 6,000 lb trailer this summer. Or is it OK to just let the auto shift itself?

2. Are these temps normal? When I drove on the flat stretch I-5 to Salem two weeks ago in 62 degrees rainy weather, I got these readings? Is that normal for a 2014 Ram with 8 speed tranny with a 395 hp / 410 torque 5.7 Hemi & 392 rear axle ratio?
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Old 05-12-2018, 03:32 AM   #2
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Jack, I looked at a few sites asking more or less your question across the board; all brands. About the average answer came from ford-trucks.com.
"When the truck is fully at operating temp., the oil will be hotter than the coolant by approx 5 degrees F (give or take a couple degrees)."
Most of the sites gave the average operating temperature in the 205-210 range.
I didn't search any info on your transmission temperature.
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Old 05-12-2018, 03:39 AM   #3
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Here is the information gleaned from ramforum.com:
http://redirect.viglink.com/?format=...FReference.pdf
It reads "optimum temperature of this transmission is 176 degrees."
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Old 05-12-2018, 03:38 AM   #4
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Hemi's like to rev, especially in the mountains. And even more so, towing in the mountains. I guess I could say that for any modern day gasser. Revving allows in the internals to cool and maintain temp along the drive line. All temps in your pic are very reasonable and expected on flat terrain. Remember, trans temps are less tolerant of heat and especially in the mountsins.. That's why a gasser needs RPM's.
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Old 05-12-2018, 04:25 AM   #5
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I was not able to find a torque curve for your engine, but most gassers' torque curves would suggest that you will be north of 3,000 rpm in heavy towing conditions for best performance. Anything less in rpm and the curve is too steep resulting in the tranny seeking another gear. With our 6.2 F250 in the mountains, I find that 3,800 to 4,200 rpm is a sweet spot where speed is maintained with no shift searching.
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Old 05-12-2018, 05:34 AM   #6
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Pulled our TT (loaded at 7000#) with 5.7 hemi/8 speed 1500 for several thousand miles over many mountains and flat land and the trans temp never went over 170 degrees. Always towed in tow/haul mode. Only used manual shift on long downhill stretches. Never used cruise for towing. Truck had 60,000 miles on it when traded in and no issues. The 8 speed trans will find it's sweet spot. YMMV
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Old 05-14-2018, 04:27 AM   #7
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Well, I manually shifted the tranny going up to Mt Rainier Paradise. I kept the gears in the 3,000-4,000 RPM range and the cooling temps were actually a bit lower than when I let the auto do in on the flat I-5 freeway. I didn't take pics of the gauges this time as I wanted to keep my eyes on the road going up that steep windy road to Paradise.

I will do the tranny flush and add a performance chip before I tow my trailer.

Here are some pics. We took my wife's niece up with us.
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Old 05-14-2018, 04:42 AM   #8
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I would advise not to install a "chip" in any modern gas engine. They are typically tuned by the factory for a compromise between performance and economy, with the engineering to protect the vehicle drive train from damage.

Installing a "chip" will likely put your vehicle warranty in jeopardy as well.

With your truck/trailer combination, I'd suspect you won't see any need for increased performance and will find that "chipping" your truck won't give you any significant advantage.

The potential disadvantages usually outweigh the advantages for most people who tow "realistically matched" rigs.
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Old 05-14-2018, 05:20 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
I would advise not to install a "chip" in any modern gas engine. They are typically tuned by the factory for a compromise between performance and economy, with the engineering to protect the vehicle drive train from damage.

Installing a "chip" will likely put your vehicle warranty in jeopardy as well.

With your truck/trailer combination, I'd suspect you won't see any need for increased performance and will find that "chipping" your truck won't give you any significant advantage.

The potential disadvantages usually outweigh the advantages for most people who tow "realistically matched" rigs.
Boy, now I'm confused... a friend of mine back east who really knows cars, and tows his Show Corvette on a heavy trailer a lot had this to say:

Quote:
All the temps look normal to me. My Ava has a towing mode which increase line pressure in the trans & raises the shift points. You can do the same thing by installing a PERFORMANCE CHIP & PROGRAMMER. I have used these since 2003...it does increase hp & tq plus takes the slippage out of the trans shifting. Just take it easy & keep an eye on your trans temp..I would also suggest flushing your trans when you get back & change the trans filter. They have flushing systems that get all the old fluid out & replace with new right from the radiator. takes about 1 hr & is much better than draining because on almost all cars you can't get all the old oil out of the converter.
Have a good time, don't forget to take your camera Roll Eyes
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Old 05-14-2018, 06:11 AM   #10
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Don't take my word for it, I'm sure other members will also post their opinions about altering the computer programs for modern automobiles. Pro or con, the decision is up to you. If you have a warranty on your vehicle, contact Chrysler and ask the specific question: "If I add a performance chip to my vehicle, will it affect my warranty?" The answer to that question should help you decide on what to do.

As for flushing the transmission and changing the filter, that is regular maintenance. Follow the "heavy duty use" recommendations for your truck, found in your owner's manual. Any unique problems may alter that maintenance regimen, but Chrysler's maintenance regimen is usually adequate for any vehicle that isn't "abused" beyond its capability.
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Old 05-14-2018, 10:34 AM   #11
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"it does increase hp & tq plus takes the slippage out of the trans shifting" I'll bet GM wishes they knew about this chip.....
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Old 05-14-2018, 12:02 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
Don't take my word for it, I'm sure other members will also post their opinions about altering the computer programs for modern automobiles. Pro or con, the decision is up to you. If you have a warranty on your vehicle, contact Chrysler and ask the specific question: "If I add a performance chip to my vehicle, will it affect my warranty?" The answer to that question should help you decide on what to do.

As for flushing the transmission and changing the filter, that is regular maintenance. Follow the "heavy duty use" recommendations for your truck, found in your owner's manual. Any unique problems may alter that maintenance regimen, but Chrysler's maintenance regimen is usually adequate for any vehicle that isn't "abused" beyond its capability.
It would be great if I heard from other members experiences with the pro/cons of using performance chips or not. Thanks for sharing your info.

I'm running a K&N system and Flowmasters muffler system which should boost HP/Torque and performance some. Don't know how much though.
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Old 05-23-2018, 06:42 AM   #13
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Quote:
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Boy, now I'm confused... a friend of mine back east who really knows cars, and tows his Show Corvette on a heavy trailer a lot had this to say:
As a retired Chrysler dealer Service Manager, installing a chip is a bad idea because it will compromise your powertrain warranty. I have a 2011 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi that I use to tow my Cougar Fifth that weighs just under 10,000 pounds loaded, and before someone asks how can I tow it with a 1500 I verified what I could tow with Ram tech. I have had no issues towing anywhere including the Rockies with my truck. Again I would strongly recommend not adding a chip or any performance modifier, as this could (as one customer of mine found out) can be a very expensive modification in the long run.
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Old 05-14-2018, 12:32 PM   #14
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Only way I would chip it is if it was out of warranty, and I'm not sure I would do it then. First couple of pages of your owners manual is very clear about performance alterations. They can detect it. Once you start modifying it you'll keep throwing money at it. Maybe for a play car but not something you need.
That engine should do everything you need it to do in stock factory condition.
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Old 05-14-2018, 01:42 PM   #15
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I'd suggest going over to ramforum.com and ask members about tuning your V8. You'll get a ton of responses on tunes from Hemifever and such. Most have only good things to say.
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Old 05-14-2018, 02:47 PM   #16
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For what's it worth I had an 05 F250 6.0 engine. When it was out of warranty I bought an SCT programmer ($350cdn). Fooled around with it for many,many hours. No appreciable difference in towing or not. YMMV
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Old 05-14-2018, 03:33 PM   #17
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On a diesel engines tuners/programmers can make ridulous amounts of up/torque & most of the engines can handle it, not so much the transmissions. On gas engines I seriously doubt you would notice enough difference to justify the price. Yes you can add cold air intakes, free flowing exhaust for fun, but again won't notice much if any benefit. Personally WOULD NOT tune my diesel or gasser.
As for a tranny flush, NO, drop the pan change the internal filter if it needs it (check manual for trans filter change intervals) at a Dodge dealer or transmission shop, not some quick oil change place, flushing just moves the crap around.
These are my opinions! Been doing my own maintenance forever, now to old to crawl around under them & don't enjoy it as much as when younger.
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Old 05-14-2018, 03:36 PM   #18
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Quote:
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For what's it worth I had an 05 F250 6.0 engine. When it was out of warranty I bought an SCT programmer ($350cdn). Fooled around with it for many,many hours. No appreciable difference in towing or not. YMMV
If that was the POS Ford 6.0 diesel the only cure for it was open the hood, drop in a stick of dynomite, close hood & don't look back.
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Old 05-14-2018, 05:41 PM   #19
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If that was the POS Ford 6.0 diesel the only cure for it was open the hood, drop in a stick of dynomite, close hood & don't look back.
Kind of agree. Passed the truck on to one of my SIL's. Currently has something over 300,000 kms ( 200,000mi.) still the sucker goes down the road with no problems other than he did injectors and an exhaust replacement. He is very conscientious about servicing every 8,000kms. Has been pulling a 5er since 2005. This one must have fallen through the cracks at Ford.
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Old 05-14-2018, 03:56 PM   #20
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I'll second the "no" to transmission flushes. I've heard it both ways though. I heard the flush will break up the scale and it will never clean up. Think I'll let the dealer do whatever gets done. CYA
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