2015 Pentastar V6 Towing [SUPERCHARGER SUCCESS!]

[engineering]

This online tool was very helpful while I was studying the impact of gearing. You can define the important parameters and see the results in all the gears at the same time. I wish that it had a torque calculator at various points in the drivetrain - ending with the tire contact patch. I had to do those calcs in Excel.

Either way - this is cool.


https://www.blocklayer.com/rpm-gear.aspx
View media item 30440

 

[engineering]

The Sprintex Supercharger Kit is now in transit along with the Diablo Sport programmable PCM.

All the guessing is about to be converted into reality whether that is good or bad. I am now off to get some ideas for upgrading the cooling system if it end up being necessary. I want to be ready for that.

 

[RLJ10X]

I looked at the Sprintex. It looks pretty cool. I was one of those guys who said "gears first". I'm not being snarky or sarcastic. I hope it turns out for you. I'd like to follow your project. It's always good to learn something new.

I put a ProCharger on my 2013 V6 Perf PAC Mustang, and it turned out extremely well. The Ford 3.7 Cyclone engine is a very well built, tough engine.

I had often read that the Pentastar was originally built with Forced Induction in mind. You can't argue; Chrysler likes Superchargers. I am concerned for your transmission, tho.

And as always: GO 4.10s! Lol. Good Luck!

 

[VernDiesel]

Me to believe I was the first to say gears first and that you might not even need the supercharger after the gear swap. When you were saying in some situations you were down to only being able to use the first 2 or 3 gears. Looking at the link I put up for you the 4.10s are only available for the 2002-2010. The 4.56 would be a better choice IMO. Allowing you to use the first 4 or 5 gears in those same situations ie 2 more gears not 1.

https://www.americantrucks.com/ram-...60879b05a0d91b21d42ffb00122c3cea&gclsrc=3p.ds

 

[engineering]

The 4.56 would be a better choice IMO. Allowing you to use the first 4 or 5 gears in those same situations ie 2 more gears not 1.

https://www.americantrucks.com/ram-gears-2009.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=+ram++gears&utm_campaign=Drivetrain+-+Gears+(R)&T5_Var1=(R)+-+Gear+-+Generic+-+General+(BMM)&T5_Var3=Red&T5_Var2=search&dialogtech=ppc&&msclkid=60879b05a0d91b21d42ffb00122c3cea&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Drivetrain - Gears (R)&utm_term=+ram +gears&utm_content=(R) - Gear - Generic - General (BMM)&gclid=60879b05a0d91b21d42ffb00122c3cea&gclsrc=3p.ds

Not sure if these will work - 9.25ZR rear in 4.10 but they are listed in the 2002-2008 section.
http://www.moes-performance.com/Moe...9_25_and_9_25ZF_R_p/c9.25-410-dd.htm?CartID=1

 

[VernDiesel]

Off the site you linked for me.

"Motive 4.10 ring and pinion gear set for 2002-2010 Ram 1500's with the 9.25" Rear axle.

These gears do not fit the 2011+ Ram 1500 trucks with the 9.25ZF rear axle."

 

[2003F350]

The Sprintex Supercharger Kit is now in transit along with the Diablo Sport programmable PCM.

All the guessing is about to be converted into reality whether that is good or bad. I am now off to get some ideas for upgrading the cooling system if it end up being necessary. I want to be ready for that.

I hope everything works out well for you - and you're right, there should be ample room to upgrade your radiator if needed, which certainly can't hurt things.

I like that you're going to collect data on this thing, both before and after - it's a good idea, regardless of how much time it takes. Data is always good to have. And a datalogger is going to be better than watching the gauges on the dash, analog gauges would be better but will take time to install and in the end may not be necessary.

good luck!

 

[Robeffy]

Ya, lots of room under the hood.
An extra rad for the tranny won't hurt either. I put a separate gauge on my trans as well, a simple analog one.
I think the rad fluid cooling runs thru the main rad, so, it will also help to cool the engine, while the engine helps to get the trans up to temp when everything is cold.

 

[RLJ10X]

Just for funsies What I pull.

The brown one, with TEN gears, has too tall of a rear end. I don't care how many gears you have, that's just half of the equation. Ju

 

[engineering]

Me to believe I was the first to say gears first and that you might not even need the supercharger after the gear swap. When you were saying in some situations you were down to only being able to use the first 2 or 3 gears. Looking at the link I put up for you the 4.10s are only available for the 2002-2010. The 4.56 would be a better choice IMO. Allowing you to use the first 4 or 5 gears in those same situations ie 2 more gears not 1.

https://www.americantrucks.com/ram-gears-2009.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=+ram++gears&utm_campaign=Drivetrain+-+Gears+(R)&T5_Var1=(R)+-+Gear+-+Generic+-+General+(BMM)&T5_Var3=Red&T5_Var2=search&dialogtech=ppc&&msclkid=60879b05a0d91b21d42ffb00122c3cea&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Drivetrain - Gears (R)&utm_term=+ram +gears&utm_content=(R) - Gear - Generic - General (BMM)&gclid=60879b05a0d91b21d42ffb00122c3cea&gclsrc=3p.ds

So, just to make sure I have interpreted your views correctly:

You are saying that I should do the gear change no matter what? 4.56 would be a reasonable choice considering 80mph in 8th is still only 2600 RPM. For the days where it is not pulling/hauling, that is not too bad.

I like the idea of reducing the torque load on the transmission (should run cooler), but the gear shifts have less MPH in-between. Curious if that will have the effect of constant shifting?


EDIT: I just spoke with a local shop that only does rear-end work. The person I spoke with cautioned me about going with aftermarket gears for reasons of quality. The biggest OEM gear is 3.92 which still seems like a significant jump from 3.21. Interesting suggesstion from a professional that also sells all the aftermarket performance gears.

OEM does seem 'safe' and the goal of this project is to maintain reliability as much as possible.

 

[engineering]

Just for funsies What I pull.

The brown one, with TEN gears, has too tall of a rear end. I don't care how many gears you have, that's just half of the equation. View attachment 234692 JuView attachment 234691

I think your Freightliner would pull my 5000# travel trailer, no problem

 

[Robeffy]

You are saying that I should do the gear change no matter what? 4.56 would be a reasonable choice considering 80mph in 8th is still only 2600 RPM. For the days where it is not pulling/hauling, that is not too bad.

I think that is quite reasonable, 80 mph in 8th gear.

EDIT: I just spoke with a local shop that only does rear-end work. The person I spoke with cautioned me about going with aftermarket gears for reasons of quality. The biggest OEM gear is 3.92 which still seems like a significant jump from 3.21. Interesting suggesstion from a professional that also sells all the aftermarket performance gears.

OEM does seem 'safe' and the goal of this project is to maintain reliability as much as possible.

There has to be a supplier of high quality aftermarket gear ratios... not sure I believe in only OEM suppliers. Check with off roader forums?

I would like my speedometer to be able to read properly, not sure how that is done these days. A long time ago you would change a set of plastic gears in the trans. I think I read of a converter, used in the Hot Rodding world, that you attach to the trans and you can "program" it to make anything work.

 

[engineering]

I think I read of a converter, used in the Hot Rodding world, that you attach to the trans and you can "program" it to make anything work.

Yes - you can (with the right tools), program the speed coefficient via OBDII/CANBUS to correct the speedometer. I am already about 4mph off because I installed slightly smaller tires recently. If/When I do a major gear change, I will re program the ECM to report the correct speed.

 

[RLJ10X]

Engineering, if you ever figure out how to make my MPG--meter accurate, I'll give you$5. Lol!

 

[engineering]

UPDATE:

The Sprintex supercharger kit arrives on Wednesday (2 days from now)
The modified ECU arrives today.
The parts I need for the datalogger arrive in a day or two.

The planned goal was to build and program the datalogger and run it up my predetermined hilly drive. The problem is that now there is snow the will cause problems. I may need to consider a more mild drive to get the baseline data from the truck before and after modifications as well as unloaded and fully loaded.

I was planning to get the following on the datalogger:
Coolant Temp
Oil Temp
Trans Temp
MAF
TPS
Load (if that is available)
Speed
RPM

That should be enough to analyze the practical impact of the supercharger and the various loads. After I am done, I will probably re-write the code in the datalogger to track peaks and trends to keep track of the system long term in various conditions.

I will probably add GPS, outside air temp as I can.

 

[Robeffy]

UPDATE:

The Sprintex supercharger kit arrives on Wednesday (2 days from now)
The modified ECU arrives today.
The parts I need for the datalogger arrive in a day or two.

The planned goal was to build and program the datalogger and run it up my predetermined hilly drive. The problem is that now there is snow the will cause problems. I may need to consider a more mild drive to get the baseline data from the truck before and after modifications as well as unloaded and fully loaded.

I was planning to get the following on the datalogger:
Coolant Temp
Oil Temp
Trans Temp
MAF
TPS
Load (if that is available)
Speed
RPM

That should be enough to analyze the practical impact of the supercharger and the various loads. After I am done, I will probably re-write the code in the datalogger to track peaks and trends to keep track of the system long term in various conditions.

I will probably add GPS, outside air temp as I can.

Will the above data let you know what your throttle position is? IE, how close to floored you are?

 

[engineering]

Will the above data let you know what your throttle position is? IE, how close to floored you are?

Yes - that is the "TPS" Throttle Position Sensor
That along with the Mass Air Flow sensor can offer some useful information about the load vs % of throttle.

 

[Robeffy]

Yes - that is the "TPS" Throttle Position Sensor
That along with the Mass Air Flow sensor can offer some useful information about the load vs % of throttle.

Of course, TPS... I go back to manual chokes on my cars... lol

Seems to me that you have it covered..

 

[engineering]

Of course, TPS... I go back to manual chokes on my cars... lol

Seems to me that you have it covered..

I also go back to manual chokes on cars and motorcycles Modern cars are all about acronyms ----
EFI, TPMS, ABS, DI, MAF, TPS, PCM, ECU, DOHC, CAN, OBD, etc, etc, etc.....

 

[engineering]

The new hardware arrives today - just in time for a bout of nasty weather though.
I still need to finish writing the code for my OBD2 data logger.....really think I should be patient to gather my baseline performance numbers while the truck is still bone stock. If anything goes out of bounds - I want to know about it as fast as possible.

Using an M0 Adalogger and SparkFun OBD2 to UART breakout. I like the flexibility is gives me to code the functions I want and store the data I want.