Shift firmness on 2008 ram

[redlightmike]

I just got my first diablosport tuner in the mail today. I have a 2008 ram with a 5.7 hemi. I installed the 93 performance tune as well as set tire size, top speed, etc.. I took the truck out for a test drive and noticed that it does shift a little harder but not like i expected.Is there an option to increase shift firmness using the canned tune or will i have to get a custom tune to do so. thanks

[Mike_Levy]

You need something to increase line pressure. UNtil the TCM is cracked, theres no way to do that through the tuner. You'll have to get one of the Line Pressure Boosters from Sonnax. http://www.sonnax.com/product-lines/hig ... parts/1785

[redlightmike]

so all i have to do is plug this in and its done? is it a safe mod for the most part? i really dont want to change out a tranny in a month

[Mike_Levy]

I haven't used it, but a lot of guys here have. From what I've heard its plug and play. Seems to work well, and be pretty reliable. And its a cheap mod, under $50 if you shop around.

[redlightmike]

thanks for the help, i just ordered one..49 bux shipped.. i hope i hear a little scratch when it hits 2nd now, ive been a ford guy for years so im trying to get this hemi truck to make me grin like my lightning does lol

[Mike_Levy]

Theres power to be made with the Hemi. I made 530hp at the wheels on my Jeep SRT8 (6.1L), naturally aspirated, so I wouldn't be surprised to see 475-500 at the wheels out of a 5.7 Ram.

[redlightmike]

i dont think my pockets are deep enough to make that kind of power but i do want a little pop when i hit the gas..from what ive read it seems i should go with a 180 tstat also??

[Mike_Levy]

Yep, 180 stat is always recommended on the Hemis. They heat soak and like to knock, so a cooler thermostat is needed.

[redlightmike]

thanks for the info, looks like i have alot to learn on these things..the tstat sounds like a good sunday afternoon project

[white_lightning]

You need something to increase line pressure. UNtil the TCM is cracked, theres no way to do that through the tuner. You'll have to get one of the Line Pressure Boosters from Sonnax. http://www.sonnax.com/product-lines/hig ... parts/1785

TCM is cracked enough to increase shift firmness with custom tune. I figured out how to do it.

so far, I have TCM tuned several Rams that had Sonnex, and they prefer how their trans shifts with my custom tune and Sonnex removed.

TooCoolHemi is one.

"tricking" the TCM into adding more line psi with a resistor like a Sonnex is not as good as direct line psi change in a custom tune, IMO.

can also do custom shift schedules.

[Mike_Levy]

Either way will do the job. The Sonnax is the cheaper route unless you're charging way below market for tranny tuning.

[TooCoolHemi]

I've tried both. Since i've put Dave's tune in the tranny is so much more responsive,shift's better/firmer,feel's better and much more well behaved with my aftermarket stall. The sonnax is not going back on. There's no comparison between the two. Dave's tune's does a lot more than just raise line pressure. (TM reduction,converter lock up adjustment's,custom shift schulde, ect,ect,ect.) For the differance in price, Dave's tune is a much bigger bang for the buck. The more your modded the bigger the bang is. But even a stock truck will notice a big differance over just raised line pressure. So to say the sonnax is cheaper is true. But to compare the two is not even close.

[white_lightning]

I've tried both. Since i've put Dave's tune in the tranny is so much more responsive,shift's better/firmer,feel's better and much more well behaved with my aftermarket stall. The sonnax is not going back on. There's no comparison between the two. Dave's tune's does a lot more than just raise line pressure. (TM reduction,converter lock up adjustment's,custom shift schulde, ect,ect,ect.) For the differance in price, Dave's tune is a much bigger bang for the buck. The more your modded the bigger the bang is. But even a stock truck will notice a big differance over just raised line pressure. So to say the sonnax is cheaper is true. But to compare the two is not even close.

thank you, Joe!!

[white_lightning]

Either way will do the job. The Sonnax is the cheaper route unless you're charging way below market for tranny tuning.

what you you consider "market value" for tranny tuning to be?

[Mike_Levy]

At least $150-$200 for minor work. There are a couple of shops, who stall remain nameless, who charge $1300-$1500 for TCM tuning on the W5A580.