Hemi 8 Speed MPG

[dsw1519]

Hey Guys,

Check out the info I jut found on allpar.com.

Dave

News: Ram Hemi 4×4: +2 mpg

 

[dsw1519]

comments from the story on allpar:

"The two transmissions are both based on similar planetary gear setups, albeit with another planetary gear in the eight-speed, but the new Torqueflite 8 has a much faster torque converter lock, extremely fast shifts, and many other features to reduce friction and power loss. It also has a much wider range than the older six-speed, which helps highway mileage and allows for more economical axle ratios. While no official figures have been released yet, test drivers have said that the eight speed feels “much, much faster” than the six speed. Switching from a five speed Mercedes automatic to the new eight speed in Chrysler’s large cars, with the V6 engine, dropped 0-60 times from around 8.7 to around 6.6 seconds, a dramatic improvement; the difference in Ram acceleration is likely to be less noticeable."

 

[arod412]

so i can see that the shifting times are better, but only 2mpg increase? I'm not impressed by that.

 

[Chewy]

That 0-60 time isn't really fair! The V6 also gained like 90hp over the outgoing model...

Happy I waited!

 

[dsw1519]

so i can see that the shifting times are better, but only 2mpg increase? I'm not impressed by that.

I'm disappointed by that also. All indications were the Hemi would see a 15-20% increase in MPG. It looks more like just under 10%.

 

[Chewy]

2 MPG is HUGE IMO. We'll have to put real world numbers against real world numbers because the current way they get the ratings is B.S. IMO.

I think the other benefits of it are huge too. 21MPG in a 395HP 407lbft brick, is pretty impressive IMO. Is there room to improve? Sure! All the vids I saw with RAM people talking about the new A8 made it sound like they expected 10% increase in mileage. Looks like they were damn near dead on.

Chris

 

[Hemi Joe]

so i can see that the shifting times are better, but only 2mpg increase? I'm not impressed by that.

I picked that up with my Bully Dog.

 

[dsw1519]

I picked that up with my Bully Dog.

You saw a 2mpg improvement with the bully dog?

 

[dogcar3]

You saw a 2mpg improvement with the bully dog?

I saw 1.5mpg increase in my heavy Power Wagon on the normal tune.

 

[Hemi Joe]

You saw a 2mpg improvement with the bully dog?

Was averaging 13 mpg, now I average 15, 16 if I take it easy which is hard. I have a 4 mile stop and go drive to work, but when I get on a highway it ranges 20-22 depending on what speed I'm going. Keep in mind I have a RCSB 4x4. Only mods so far are a Bully Dog and a 14" Magnaflow. I would buy the 8 speed for the performance, moreso than the gas mileage.

 

[Chewy]

I paid less than 400 bucks to upgrade to this transmission over the 5 speed that's tuned to feel like 6. That will take very little time to pay off for someone putting some decent miles on their vehicle.

 

[Trupiano]

Hey, every little bit of MPG counts!

 

[Hemi Joe]

I paid less than 400 bucks to upgrade to this transmission over the 5 speed that's tuned to feel like 6. That will take very little time to pay off for someone putting some decent miles on their vehicle.

It'll be worth it. I drove the Charger V6 and the Ram V6 with the 8 speed, it's a sweet trans. I would want it for the performance increase more than the gas mileage. I have an 8 mile round trip to work so my gas tanks last a while. And we have a 2013 Equinox for the family vehicle that gets surprisingly good 30+ mpg on the highway for our long trips.

 

[passmg2]

I have a 2014 5.7 Hemi Laramie with the 8spd. Quad cab. I have a K&N filter with a Trinity Diablosport 93 tune running 94 octane gas. I got 20.48 miles per American gallon over the length of my last tank when I filled up today (was stuck filling up on 91). That is 24.6mpg Canadian. I took it easy 'most' of the time. I am 75-80% highway driving. I love the way it sips gas on 4 cylinders in 8th gear on the highway as we look for Ford & Chevy pickups to play with! There seems to be a delay when I put my foot right into it which I'm not sure what that is.... I went 1,030 kilometres on this tank which is about 644 miles and it took 119 litres (31.44 American gallons, 26.18 Canadian gallons) to fill up, so I must have been pretty well empty. I had the truck up to 200kmh (125mph) a couple times during this tank. The fastest I've gone is 128mph within one mile before I ran out of road. If I remember correctly I had just shifted into 6th gear at that point and the truck was still wanting to go faster. Before the tuner it would be held back by the computer at 170kph (106mph). Not sure of top speed now but 135mph seems realistic, maybe more. The tuner says it goes 14.45sec @ 98.5mph in 1/4 mile. It's a beautiful thing! P.S. I have 19,000km (11,875miles) on the truck since new March 18, 2014 (about 2.5 months)

 

[Z77Z77Z]

Saw 18.5mpg actual(evic said 19.2) on my last tank....Which doesn't seem great until I started factoring all the time spent idling with the a/c on and I was driving pretty aggressive most times. I'm sure it's good for 20.5-22 for someone who uses the cruise and drives normal.

Imho it's an absolute must to upgrade, you gain mileage, performance, and durability for very little cost.

I have a 2014 Express 5.7 crew 4wd

 

[Caldwell]

and im over here like... whomp.

i average about 11.5-12 right now on my 6spd, 3.55, 4x4, 275/60/20 ( stop/go Philadelphia City ) on 93 octane w/ 10% Ethanol. i usually hit 19-19.5 on the highway. im really excited to upgrade into the 8spd w/ 3.92's hopefully next year. I would be one smitten kitten for 13 mpg daily lol.

overall it seems like the 4th gen crowd is pleased with the 8spd.