Tuner + Sonnax line booster

[URdone21]

Hey guys. Just bought a BD 40430 tuner for my truck! I was informed before my purchase that a tuner with canned tune does not provide better shifting by itself. I am looking for better shifting while driving around town, which I do 99% of the time @ 25-40MPH.

Will the Sonnax line booster 44957-LB2 provide what I am looking for when paired with my tuner?

If so, should I add the Sonnax line booster 44957-LB2 after I have loaded a tune from my BD tuner or before I load the tune.
Thanks!

 

[wickedwhite2012]

The computer will readjust for it after a while. I put one on my truck wasnt very impressed. You can get custom tune to do the same thing. Call sean at Hemi Fever he got mine right. Its like day and night over the canned tunes

 

[TylerB]

The Sonnax will only changed shift firmness, mostly at WOT too. Npt a huge difference at part throttle driving stop and go.

Bullydog=no custom tuning

 

[blackout11]

Dont use the line booster with a tuner its a bad thing

 

[blackout11]

Best bet diablo tuner and a hemi fever tune

 

[URdone21]

My tuner as previously mentioned is a BullyDog. Ill stay away from the sonnax per your recommendations so far.

 

[Hemi_Express2013]

I cannot speak for other year Ram but from my conversations with Bully dog and Sonnax about this it is safe right now. Sonnax is for stock trucks and the current version of 40430 Hemi plus '13 doesn't alter line pressure. I was advised by Bully after each update to check if line pressure has been altered. Call Bully to confirm this.

 

[Mopar_Express]

I dont know if anyone who is saying its a bad idea has ever ran one, but I have the exact combo you are asking about and I notice a nice change at all rpms/ shift conditions. Something with the tuners must stop the truck from compensating for the line booster, I have had mine on for several hundred miles and it has not reverted back to stock. I know people who do not have tuners have had issues with the trucks computer compensating for the sonnax and reverting shifts back to stock but with the BD i havent had that problem. I too do a lot of around town driving at low speeds where I live, and with the Sonnax my shifts are quicker and a bit more firm. Its not an enormous difference but it is noticeable and IMO it makes the truck a little more enjoyable. I also dont see how it would hurt the truck either, it is simply sending a bit more pressure through the trans lines, quicker, firmer shifts usually are better for a transmission. IMO its a 50 buck part that gave me exactly what I was looking for. I would trust a Sonnax more then a trans tune. Thats just my 2 cents.

 

[Jerseymike]

I run the Sonnax and the Bully Dog and it shifts great for 4 months now. Much better than stock. I would listen to the guys that are running the set up you are looking at. Since custom tuning is not available for the 13 then a sonnax and BD would be your best bet. You will be very happy with the outcome. I had the sonnax before the BD but I cant see where the order would make a difference.

 

[09SMOKINHEMI]

I dont know if anyone who is saying its a bad idea has ever ran one, but I have the exact combo you are asking about and I notice a nice change at all rpms/ shift conditions. Something with the tuners must stop the truck from compensating for the line booster, I have had mine on for several hundred miles and it has not reverted back to stock. I know people who do not have tuners have had issues with the trucks computer compensating for the sonnax and reverting shifts back to stock but with the BD i havent had that problem. I too do a lot of around town driving at low speeds where I live, and with the Sonnax my shifts are quicker and a bit more firm. Its not an enormous difference but it is noticeable and IMO it makes the truck a little more enjoyable. I also dont see how it would hurt the truck either, it is simply sending a bit more pressure through the trans lines, quicker, firmer shifts usually are better for a transmission. IMO its a 50 buck part that gave me exactly what I was looking for. I would trust a Sonnax more then a trans tune. Thats just my 2 cents.

maybe the BD and sonnax is a good thing. however I was advised not to run my custom tune with the sonnax. i assumed that all tunes with sonnax was not a good idea. but hey, if the BD and sonnax works fine together that's great

 

[Hemi_Express2013]

I had the BD Tuner first. The tc only locked from time to time, mostly 4th and 5th. Since adding the Sonnax, tc locks a lot more, id say a very notable 50% or more in every gear. I'm not sure, I know nothing about transmissions, but I think that's a good thing.

 

[Mopar_Express]

09SmokinHemi I think its more of a Bullydog thing because the BD canned tunes do absolutely nothing for the transmission. The only thing you can do is set the WOT shift points. I certainly would not run a Sonnax with a Hemifever or Whitelightening tune seeing as both of those have tweaks to the tcm built in from what i understand.

 

[Riccochet]

I'd wait until some custom tunes are available for our '13's. Looks like SuperChips is about to release a canned tune as well. Who knows what that'll do for our trucks until someone gets one on a dyno.

 

[09SMOKINHEMI]

09SmokinHemi I think its more of a Bullydog thing because the BD canned tunes do absolutely nothing for the transmission. The only thing you can do is set the WOT shift points. I certainly would not run a Sonnax with a Hemifever or Whitelightening tune seeing as both of those have tweaks to the tcm built in from what i understand.

i see.... thanks for clarifying. good to know for all members

 

[URdone21]

So maybe what I will do is use the tuner with the truck for a few weeks and decide from there if I should add the sonnax or not. Good to know though that if I want to, there's no problem.

 

[BlackRamHemi]

Dont use the line booster with a tuner its a bad thing

I've used both since early 2010 (Diablo/Sonnax) Raced hard for over 3.5 years,
Fastest 4G Ram currently on the list on this board, set to break into the 12's soon.

500WHP for the last two months and still going strong on my original transmission
(with a back up built one waiting to go in)

To maximize its results I remove it every couple months, drive for a week and re-install
(the adaptive PCM adjusted over time and needed a reset on my 2010)

More line pressure is a good thing, my new trans has a modified valve body and pump for +50psi line pressure
...along with a ton of upgraded frictions and custom tuning to make it all work together in harmony under Boost.
Once that goes in I can toss the Sonnax.

I didn't think Sonnax had LPB available for the 2013's yet?
I certainly wouldn't use one on the new 8 speed trans

 

[Hemi_Express2013]

I've used both since early 2010 (Diablo/Sonnax) Raced hard for over 3.5 years,
Fastest 4G Ram currently on the list on this board, set to break into the 12's soon.

500WHP for the last two months and still going strong on my original transmission
(with a back up built one waiting to go in)

To maximize its results I remove it every couple months, drive for a week and re-install
(the adaptive PCM adjusted over time and needed a reset on my 2010)

More line pressure is a good thing, my new trans has a modified valve body and pump for +50psi line pressure
...along with a ton of upgraded frictions and custom tuning to make it all work together in harmony under Boost.
Once that goes in I can toss the Sonnax.

I didn't think Sonnax had LPB available for the 2013's yet?
I certainly wouldn't use one on the new 8 speed trans

Sonnax doesn't but after some research and some video by Chrysler tech explaining the 545RFE, 65RFE, I learned they are mechanically the same trans with the only difference being software upgrade to make it 6 gears. No issues with it yet and I personally like it. I will use it until someone offers mod valve body for it. From what I gather the last 3 series of trans are mechanically the same but different software.

 

[Hemi_Express2013]

The next six speed derived from the 545RFE was the 65RFE, used with V8 versions of the Ram 1500, Durango, and Grand Cherokee. The 65RFE only has six forward gears in ERS/AutoStick mode or kickdown mode; it is essentially a software and name change, which allows people to reach the “prime” gear via ERS as well as than kickdown. An internal Chrysler communiqué to dealers summarized the change in a similar fashion

Original is at The 45RFE, 545RFE, and 65RFE automatic transmission for Jeeps and Rams The 45RFE, 545RFE, and 65RFE automatic transmission for Jeeps and Rams
Follow us: @allparcom on Twitter | allparcom on Facebook

I wanted to add this quote from Allpar. Makes me wonder if the same valve body is used as well...

Anyone with the answer?

 

[Mopar_Express]

Im pretty sure the valve bodies are different. Thats why it is so hard to get one for the 11-12s. The 09s-10s were different and they had the 545rfe. You can get aftermarket ones for them no problem.

 

[Hemi_Express2013]

Im pretty sure the valve bodies are different. Thats why it is so hard to get one for the 11-12s. The 09s-10s were different and they had the 545rfe. You can get aftermarket ones for them no problem.

Yep, you are right. There are some minor differences, but differences none the less. Talked with Sharadon performance. Valve body #RL166834AK.