2008 4.7: Weak

KyleW2 · Jun 20, 2019

I have noticed that my 08 Ram with the 4.7 is pretty sluggish pulling a trailer. I’m talking it struggles to pull a boat back up the boat ramp (18 ft boat). Seems to take a lot of gas pedal work to get it up. Maybe this is normal, but I’m just not happy with the performance of this engine.
Is a cold air intake worthwhile on these engines? I thought I read somewhere that the stock air box is fairly good. Anything else I can do? I have heard tuners but I had one for this truck at one point and all the modes warned against towing. Truck got all new spark plugs last summer (all 16) using oem plugs. Thanks in advance.

Fast69Mopar · Jun 20, 2019

The 4.7 can feel underpowered when towing or like you said, pulling up a boat ramp. The low end grunt is just not there and that's what you want.

The 4.7 does respond well to a larger throttle body and a cold air kit.

With tuners, all manufacturers will have their warning and tell you what not to do with their tuners. That being said, I personally have towed heavy with my 4.7's with tuners installed. If you tow smart with a tune installed you won't have any issues. With canned tunes for gas engines one thing that can occur is spark knock because of the timing tables that are used for the power gains. Use of a good quality fuel and keeping the temps down while pulling will keep the spark knock away.

Have no fear. Get a good tuner that is capable of custom tunes so that way if in the future you want to make some more power you can purchase a custom tune with Dyno time and get the best gains possible for a 4.7

Also, in my professional opinion, a centrifugal supercharger is a perfect match for the 4.7 and they make good horsepower and torque down low where you want it. Just a thought.

KyleW2 · Jun 20, 2019

It eases my mind a bit knowing it is normal on these motors. It runs flawlessly and only has 97K on the clock so I wasn’t super worried. Just uses a bit of oil already, so it made me think the worst. I will look into some tuners as well as the CAI and throttle body. Not real sure I want to spend the dime to put a supercharger on as I have the new truck bug. We will see

ST-8 · Jun 20, 2019

08+ 4.7s react well to a tune

KyleW2 · Jun 20, 2019

Okay guys, if I do get a tuner, to help low end torque would I have to switch to midgrade or premium fuel, or would I be okay to stick with 87 octane?

ST-8 · Jun 20, 2019

Superchips has 87 tunes an 91 tunes

KyleW2 · Jun 20, 2019

Cool, I will look into it.

Also, quick google search resulted in an “Airaid Poweraid Throttle Body Spacer” that claims it boosts throttle response and low end torque, “boosts offidle torque from 800rpm to almost 3000 rpm”. Is it really that easy to increase torque? I have doubts on that and don’t want to buy something that won’t help.

I am on a bit of a budget for this project (I only tow the boat 4 months out of the year). Don’t really want to dump a ton into upgrades. So if you were to pick, what is the best bang for the buck for torque? cold air intake, larger throttle body, tuner? I will likely end up with all 3, but don’t have the money for all 3 at the moment.
Thanks

HemiLonestar · Jun 20, 2019

Stay away from the TB spacer unless you're planning to drill it for nitrous lol. They are worthless on injected engines and in some cases are an intake restriction. You have the best version of the 4.7, it's only 35hp & 45ft/lbs down from a stock 3rd gen hemi (310hp vs the measly 230hp of it's Ram predecessors, not counting the 260hp HO from the Grand Cherokee). Start with a Superchips tuner; this should also give you the added benefit of trans tunability. I say should as it is available for the hemi trucks that year but I don't have personal experience using one on an 08 4.7. Cold air kit is basically to make the intake louder, unless you can rig something that actually acts like ram air. A larger TB may give you seat of the pants feel, but most likely will not give a good return on investment for the price (they're not exactly cheap) unless you do more serious modifications that really aren't there for any iteration of the 4.7. Airram.com is your best friend in this scenario.

KyleW2 · Jul 17, 2019

Okay guys. I was browsing Ebay and found a refurb superchips 3845 tuner that is compatible for the steal of $170, so I bit.

Since I was considering spending $400ish on the tuner, what other mods should I look at for my "price savings"? I am wanting to get a slight increase in mpg if possible, but if the truck is more fun to drive with the tuner I'll be happy with that.

dl2011ms3 · Jul 18, 2019

What gear is in your rear end? An upgrade may help out with low end feel as well. Though that is a more expensive option and could kill whatever fuel mileage you're used to having.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

dhay13 · Jul 18, 2019

I had a 2007 with 4.7 and 3.92s and it was a dog. I towed my 3500lb 14x7 enclosed trailer to Indy on flat highway and only got 8 MPG. The truck stayed in 3rd gear most of the way turning over 3000 RPM the whole way. I bought a Superchips for it and it helped but IIRC the 2008 responds way better to the SC tuner. The tow tune for mine required 91 or 93 octane, can't remember.

KyleW2 · Jul 20, 2019

dl2011ms3 said:
What gear is in your rear end? An upgrade may help out with low end feel as well. Though that is a more expensive option and could kill whatever fuel mileage you're used to having.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

No idea on gearing. I'm sure the original window sticker with the options is laying around here somewhere, I will have to take a look.

HemiLonestar · Jul 20, 2019

KyleW2 said:
No idea on gearing. I'm sure the original window sticker with the options is laying around here somewhere, I will have to take a look.

Not likely lol....go here and find out: https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing

KyleW2 · Jul 20, 2019

Thanks, 3.92 gearing.
Is there a good way to test the fan clutch? I have noticed some loudness from the engine bay when driving lately and I'm wondering if my fan clutch is out and that is causing my decrease in fuel mileage as well.

lharrell79 · Jul 21, 2019

KyleW2 said:
Thanks, 3.92 gearing.
Is there a good way to test the fan clutch? I have noticed some loudness from the engine bay when driving lately and I'm wondering if my fan clutch is out and that is causing my decrease in fuel mileage as well.

If your fan clutch is out, you would most likely be running hot. How have your temps been?

KyleW2 · Jul 21, 2019

lharrell79 said:
If your fan clutch is out, you would most likely be running hot. How have your temps been?

Temps are fine but I have done some reading about the truck being really loud if the clutch doesn’t disengage. It sounds like the fan is running constantly no matter the speed I’m going

HemiLonestar · Jul 21, 2019

KyleW2 said:
Temps are fine but I have done some reading about the truck being really loud if the clutch doesn’t disengage. It sounds like the fan is running constantly no matter the speed I’m going

But is it the clutch fan you're hearing or the condenser fan for the A/C?

lharrell79 · Jul 21, 2019

Or, a noisy AC compressor clutch.

KyleW2 · Jul 21, 2019

HemiLonestar said:
But is it the clutch fan you're hearing or the condenser fan for the A/C?

Nope because it makes the sound with the AC off as well, unless the fan operates while the ac is off as well?

Yesterday, I started the truck and almost immediately the fan kicked on full blast from cold. Engine temp was not even registered yet. Shut it off and the fan continued spinning for 4 or 5 seconds before stopping after the belt stopped, I thought it was supposed to stop at the same time as the belt from what I read but correct that if I'm wrong please. Fan moves the same amount by hand whether the engine is cold from sitting all night or if the truck is at operating temp then shut off.

KyleW2 · Jul 22, 2019

Got the tune installed today. Starting with MileageXS tune to see if I can get better fuel economy for a tank or two then will probably play around with the modes. Changed the trans tuning to the Superchips modes as well. Also have a drop in K&N coming tomorrow.

2008 4.7: Weak

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