New guy!

M.Rad.

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Hello everyone! I'm a new owner of an '06 QC, Inferno Red SRT-10. Late to the party, I know... but at least I know I'm in the company of true die-hards!
I've read through many posts on this and other forums, and will try to refrain from asking questions that have been answered previously, but no promises ;).

I also own an '06 Magnum SRT-8, also in Inferno Red. They'll make a nice couple!

I must admit I have some trepidation regarding the auto trans, although everything else seems to be normal in terms of failures and maintanance. I've been wrenching on cars and motorcycles for over 45 years, so I'm not overly intimidated. At least I don't have to deal with overhead cams and associated hardware.:mad:

Cheers,
M.R.
 
Hello.

Although tougher than the old 727 (which of course the 48RE is largely based on), there isn't much wiggle-room for applying more than around 600 ft. lbs. of torque (or lbs. ft. if you prefer) before the 48RE starts to complain; and that is the power level where an unmolested Cummins from that era operates. Oddly, Mopar didn't see fit to overbuild their power train for either that or the SRT-10 in the auto trans department. Keeping costs down, no doubt.

The 48RE is an ancient design with roots in the 1950s (the original cast-iron unit).
They are among the very last autos on the planet that still require band adjustments.

My engine kept wrecking my 48RE after above average mods, so I had to go with a "race- build"; But for near stock power levels they are "okay", so don't be skeered. :)

I bought my truck brand new and have also been wrenching for quite a while (nearly 6 decades in this hobby). It's been an adventure for sure.

Enjoy your truck.
 
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Welcome aboard M.Rad. ...
Ronnie is a wealth of info on these trucks .. Experienced !

As far as the 48re ,, just gold plate everything and make it look good until it goes bad the remove the gold and pay for a new one with HP internals hahahaha Gold prices should rise ...
 
Welcome!!! As mentioned Ronnie is a definite wealth of tried and true knowledge. You can read any thread he's made and your head will hurt from knowledge hahaha
 
I must admit I have some trepidation regarding the auto trans, although everything else seems to be normal in terms of failures and maintanance. I've been wrenching on cars and motorcycles for over 45 years, so I'm not overly intimidated.
Welcome! Be a pioneer then, do an 8HP90 swap.
 
Any idea what is needed to accomplish that swap for the QC's or SC's.. Would internal models be necessary for the trucks ? Sounds interesting ...
8HP90 trans
Your choice of electronic shifter (car t-style or truck dial)
Sound German retro harness
V10 to hemi bellhousing adapter
Custom driveshaft; ZF trans doesn't have provision for a slip yoke
TCM tuning to tailor trans (especially the torque limiting) to the engine. TCM is integrated into the valve body.

Now the fun part....integrate the dial into the dash somewhere or cut up the lower dash to install a console for the 2005 QC. If you have a 2006 they come with the truck business console and it would likely be fairly simple to modify it for that. A stock '90 has a max torque rating of 1000 n-m, which is well over 700 lb-ft so it can handle an engine with some modifications. If need be it can be much more fortified; stock original 707 hp Hellcat was 650 lb-ft. The Demon 170 makes 1,025 hp & 945 lb-ft on E85 and there is a special '90 behind it that handles it no problem. The various Demon 8HP90's also have an integrated transbrake.
 
Any idea what is needed to accomplish that swap for the QC's or SC's.. Would internal models be necessary for the trucks ? Sounds interesting ...

A custom bell housing, crossmember, driveshaft(s), torque convertor, aftermarket standalone controller and someone to tune it. The last one is a biggie.

I would also suggest beefing up the transmission itself as (well-known): they don't like shifts under full power.

Other than that, enough cash and patience to see the project through and a piece of black tape to cover your Check Engine Light. :)
 
A custom bell housing, crossmember, driveshaft(s), torque convertor, aftermarket standalone controller and someone to tune it. The last one is a biggie.

I would also suggest beefing up the transmission itself as (well-known): they don't like shifts under full power.

Other than that, enough cash and patience to see the project through and a piece of black tape to cover your Check Engine Light. :)
Yeah the cash .. looking up just the transmissions costs , the the mods to make it work lol is big .. Even though it would be a cool swap .. maybe a change of rear gears to top it off ...
 
IMG_3001.jpeg


Disadvantages of the ZF 8HP90 gearbox​

  • This is a reliable and durable automatic transmission, but it comes with very powerful engines.
  • From aggressive driving, the solenoids quickly become clogged with friction wear products.
  • Wear of the torque converter clutches causes vibration and destruction of the oil pump bearing.
  • With frequent acceleration, the aluminum parts of the mechanical part of the gearbox cannot withstand.
  • Another weak point of the automatic transmission of this line is the rubber gaskets and bushings.
 
I see the top 2 gears are both Overdrive in the HP90.

Crazy low 1st and 2nd gear ratios.

These engines don't need steep low and intermediate gearing as they are far more long distance runners than they are sprinters. They can tolerate a fairly wide spacing of gear ratios between shifts without a big acceleration penalty.

Case in point: My very confused 48RE jumped from the top of 2nd immediately into Overdrive Lockup back when I was using the much lower 17" Drag Radials. Those created a strange dynamic with the wheel speed sensors. It still turned a respectable 12.40 (torque is a wonderful thing) at the 1/4 mile track.

I'd maybe install an HP90 in a donor drag vehicle, but the ancient 48RE can be built to last.

My build is 10 years old already.
 
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So what would you think would be a good rear gear to use with those ratios ... I would think with 8 speeds you still keep decent top end and mileage !

What are the 48re gear ratios and the rear gears using the 4.56 .. would there be a decent compromise for top and bottom end plus mileage gains with different rear gears.

Sort of getting the efficiancy higher and improve all around performance ...
 
Well, as they say....it depends.
Camshaft choice will dictate the efficient r.p.m. you'd need to run at for high enough dynamic cylinder pressure (operating cylinder pressure) for optimum mileage.

I pretty much need to drive in tow/haul mode with the cam I have installed for city driving to keep the engine at a higher r.p.m. for better mileage but that's not a hardship.

The 4.56s when in Overdrive limit the top speed because the engine will hit an electronic wall (rev limiter) with stock settings and not because of a lack of power.

The Overdrive (8th gear) in the HP90 is numerically a close match to the 48re's 4th gear ratio when the 48RE is in Overdrive Lockup. So 4.56s would be close to the same on the top-end with the HP90.
It's the numerically lower ratios between 1st and 6th in the HP90 that would be useful for pulling a trailer when drag racing.
And it would likely be a great unit for 1/8 mile bursts.
 
Hello everyone! I'm a new owner of an '06 QC, Inferno Red SRT-10. Late to the party, I know... but at least I know I'm in the company of true die-hards!
I've read through many posts on this and other forums, and will try to refrain from asking questions that have been answered previously, but no promises ;).

I also own an '06 Magnum SRT-8, also in Inferno Red. They'll make a nice couple!

I must admit I have some trepidation regarding the auto trans, although everything else seems to be normal in terms of failures and maintanance. I've been wrenching on cars and motorcycles for over 45 years, so I'm not overly intimidated. At least I don't have to deal with overhead cams and associated hardware.:mad:

Cheers,
M.R.
welcome to the RBC from the Mile High City and yes you are in good company enjoy the 10 and do not hesitate to ask for help if you need anything.
 
I had the same questions when i joined 3 years ago. Now i'm considering a 6spd swap and trying to gather parts.
Before you put your 6spd in make sure the reverse selector pushes the gear all the way home. Factory fault, they don't lock into reverse and will pop out on back up. Mine does
 

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