Trans Swap

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OlDirtyJohn

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Naha-shi, Okinawa, Japan
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2004 Quad Cab 2500 *Sold*
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Hemi 5.7
i have never heard of it being done. I would assume though, that tuning would be a nightmare.
 

jimdd810

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2003
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5.7 hemi
Third gen rams trannys are not computer controlled or cannot be tuned. You would have a nightmare in your hands computer wise.
 

KGBIGCOUNTRY

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2004 RCSB/2005 QCSB
Engine
5.7 / 5.7
Im sure it can be done with alot of $$$. Get a standalone for the engine and a standalone for the trans and be ready for a fight.
 
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Misfit Ram

Misfit Ram

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Fort Riley, KS
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2005
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5.7 Hemi
lol alright, cross that off the list. looks like i'll be looking at parts to beef her up then!
 

HemiLonestar

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Third gen rams trannys are not computer controlled or cannot be tuned. You would have a nightmare in your hands computer wise.

Not computer controlled or tunable?!? Huh? 2003's ARE computer controlled, but can't really be tuned. The 04's and later can be tuned though. The 'FE' in RFE stands for Fully Electronic....
 

PCA4208

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Albuquerque, New Mexico
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2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Not computer controlled or tunable?!? Huh? 2003's ARE computer controlled, but can't really be tuned. The 04's and later can be tuned though. The 'FE' in RFE stands for Fully Electronic....
Our transmissions are electrically controlled, and some are tunable. The 4L80e is not. So the computer would go crazy without any input from the transmission. I know that in 2500's the hemi can be ordered with a manual transmission, so that could be another option. You would just have to find out how it would work computer wise. But I'm sure somebody has swapped one into a 1500... Somebody, somewhere.
 

Redtruck-VA

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Virginia
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2003 & 1989 D250 RWD
Engine
Hemi-5.7, 5.9 12v & 24v diesel
Gentlemen, I have been told our engine (PCM) will run with the TCM unplugged on a 03. There is also the manual trans versions PCM's from the 2500. AS for GM trans there are abuntant stand alones for them. Megasquirt being one of them. There are also engine/trans adaptors available. Plus there is the 727/od model trans that looks to be a good candidate. Jeeps and hemi retro installs have many different combo's folks are using. Go outside the box....
 

KGBIGCOUNTRY

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5.7 / 5.7
The standalones would be ideal but time and money will start being the factor. Deff do a ton of research before parts start showing up if anyone went that route.
 

Redtruck-VA

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Anyone ever put a 4L80E in a third gen ram?

You peaked my interest with this and I got to looking around and what really caught my eye was the A58 swap. Most of you I am sure know more about this than I, but here is a lttle I found out. Being it's a 727 with a overdrive and lock up converter, so I looked for adaptors to bolt the trans up to a 3g engine. couldn't find a kit to do it, plenty of GM trans adaptors but nothing for the trusty 727. Found several statements to the fact that it simply bolts up. All it needs is a spacer plate, flex plate and mini starter.
XV Motorsports - Products

Several folks sell a vacum or full electric kit to control the OD and converter lockup. My question is, why are folks fighting with the 545/45 transmission when these are relatively cheap and much stronger?
 

Redtruck-VA

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My question stands.... even found reference on the Durango boards where folks are using A518 built trans 750+hp with a simple electric switch for OD (30%) and a lockup TC behind the 3g hemi. Toss the TCM and not even reflashing the PCM. Man we have to get our thinking outside of the box....
 

indy05daytona

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2005
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5.7 hemi
bringing this to the top..... anymore news on this? has it been done?

thanks,
jeremy
 

charonblk07

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bringing this to the top..... anymore news on this? has it been done?

thanks,
jeremy

It's been done, but it's not straightforward or a simple bolt up. There are working options for the 545rfe now from L&M customs and TrueStreet Performance. I've had a L&M behind my '09 for over 2 years now and I made 738rwhp. The only difference between my '09 and '07 trans is a slightly different valve body. If you have an '05+ they can work with you on a trans, just learn how to drive the truck properly and you can make them last for a long time anyways.
 

Lethal Hemi

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5.7L
People are in the process of doing it and like me will be doing it with a manual VB. There is someone doing it as I type this and really waiting on him to finish before I jump the gun
 

Redtruck-VA

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Hemi-5.7, 5.9 12v & 24v diesel
I have been running a 46RH/A518 for several months now. The reason I couldn't find any adaptors previously for the A518 to hemi is that the simply bolt together. Need a special flexplate and a 05 manual trans starter motor with a little fitting with a hand grinder to mount to the block. The driveshaft fits without modifications and the trans cross member needs to have the trans mount holes elongated about a half an inch. The hard part is fabricating a Throttle Valve cable to control shift points. Mine is a 03 and uses a cable to control the APPS and I just added another cable to the pedal to drive the TV using old motorcycle brake cable with nylon liner. Martin Saine built the trans to handle more power than I should ever make using a few billet pieces. Edge 3000 stall converter. As for the PCM, there is many choices in how you want to handle it. 1. simple unplug #4 plug and remove the wiring. Will have DTC's but run fine. 2. Flash the Automatic PCM with a manual flash and again remove #4 plug wiring. 3. Install a 03 2500 manual transmission PCM that only has three plugs. Your choice.
 
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