Dodge Ram 3500 diesel
06-07-2011, 10:07 AM
#1
Dodge Ram 3500 diesel I have an '05 Dodge Ram 3500 diesel. With a programmer it blows through transmissions like they are free. With that said, I wanted to jump ship, sell the Cummins and 48re and buy a 99-00 6.0 with a 4l80e (saves me 500lbs), and go with a 60mm turbo, or an 8.1 with the 5spd Allison and a 70mm turbo.
I am committed to the sale of the cummins, only because the trans in that thing can't hold up to the stock torque (610) much less the 800 it has now. I figure with a gas engine, the tq will come in at higher rpms, and it seems to be cheaper to build a 4l80e ($4000) to handle 600hp/6000tq than a 48re ($8000) to handle 500hp/850tq. I am open to input of course, but the bottom line is I want a Dodge Dually with a gas engine, stout trans that can run 13's, if it breaks I can go to the junkyard and source parts.
The 5.9 in my truck now is 15k new, and that's just a long block. Figured this would be the way to go. Friends have suggested buying a rolled 8.3 V10 and doing the swap, but I feel in the end, that the 6.0 has more options
I am committed to the sale of the cummins, only because the trans in that thing can't hold up to the stock torque (610) much less the 800 it has now. I figure with a gas engine, the tq will come in at higher rpms, and it seems to be cheaper to build a 4l80e ($4000) to handle 600hp/6000tq than a 48re ($8000) to handle 500hp/850tq. I am open to input of course, but the bottom line is I want a Dodge Dually with a gas engine, stout trans that can run 13's, if it breaks I can go to the junkyard and source parts.
The 5.9 in my truck now is 15k new, and that's just a long block. Figured this would be the way to go. Friends have suggested buying a rolled 8.3 V10 and doing the swap, but I feel in the end, that the 6.0 has more options
06-07-2011, 01:03 PM
#2
if i were you bro, id stick to the diesel and put an allison trans behind it. they sell the adapter kits as well as the programmers needed. that cummins is a hell of a motor, and will be more reliable as a tow rig (which i assume this is what it is) and also be more streetable than building a 6.0 that would match the power output.
also, that diesel will get better fuel economy putting out those numbers then a comparable gas motor would.
i'm not sure why your stuck on gas for that truck, but if your willing to fabricate all the neccessary stuff to put a gas motor in it, you can easily put the allison on the back of the cummins.
also, that diesel will get better fuel economy putting out those numbers then a comparable gas motor would.
i'm not sure why your stuck on gas for that truck, but if your willing to fabricate all the neccessary stuff to put a gas motor in it, you can easily put the allison on the back of the cummins.
06-07-2011, 01:17 PM
#3
On The Tree
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Big Mistake. 48REs will hold assloads of power & torque when they're built. Call one of the companies below, tell them your goals, and they'll fix you up. It'll be cheaper and more reliable than a whole powertrain swap.
www.atsdiesel.com
www.dieseltrans.com
www.goerend.com
www.suncoastconverters.com
Torque converter, valve body, improved clutch packs, billet input and output shafts, and other internal mods to the 48RE will hold 1500+ lb-ft of torque. 13s and 12s in a diesel truck is cake these days. The stock tranny sucks but has potential.
www.atsdiesel.com
www.dieseltrans.com
www.goerend.com
www.suncoastconverters.com
Torque converter, valve body, improved clutch packs, billet input and output shafts, and other internal mods to the 48RE will hold 1500+ lb-ft of torque. 13s and 12s in a diesel truck is cake these days. The stock tranny sucks but has potential.
06-07-2011, 02:03 PM
#4
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I think the Allison is a good idea too. The adapter is an off the shelf item. Remove your Dodge adapter and bolt on an Allison adapter. Not sure about the flex plate but Cummins/Allisons are all over the place in the commercial truck world. 545's are dirt cheap but no overdrive. I had one in a motorhome. 6 or 7 speed allisons do have overdrive I think. T
06-07-2011, 08:28 PM
#5
Ok gents, I will weigh the options as far as an allison versus the built 48re. The truck it self does not tow much, just a four bike trailer or a car trailer, neither weighing more than 6k. The Allisons don't really hold up any better than than the 48re, but the extra gears are a plus. I simply assumed I could build a nasty turbo 6.0 and 4l80e for the same 7-8k I would put in my trans.
06-08-2011, 06:13 AM
#6
i have allisons behind every vehicle in my fleet, and they constantly pull 30-35k lbs vehicles around all day. and my small trucks that have the 1000s in them all are beasts.
