I'm looking at buying a 2013 Ram and just wondering what the gains are if I order the 8 speed, I've read 20% better mpg and 3 sec faster 0-60mph, What are your thoughts, Sorry if this is a double post I searched and didn't come up with anything
I find this very hard to believe lol.3 sec faster 0-60mph
Incorrect, the 8 speed will do much better. I have a 2013 Hemi 8 speed 4x4 QC with 3.21 gears. My dad has a 2009 with the Hemi, 5 speed (which is the same as the 6 speed) quad cab, and 3.21 gears. Effectively the only difference is that mine has the 8 speed and is a 4x4.Highway mpg will be roughly the same since both transmissions have the same final ratio.
my 6 is getting the same mpg its better than the Tacoma 4cyl I replacedwell not sure mine is the v6 (18-19 city (hand calculated,so far, , only filled up once and 2 half tank fill ups, and 27 mpg highway (evic one time trip so far) my last was hemi (14-16 city for it, 18-22 highway).. have not seen the window stickers just what people on the forums are saying
The 8-speed has less loss.
Good or bad; you get the e-Shift knob.
I don't think that the 6-sp is running the same throttle control algorithms during shifts or the temp/fluid management.
Whoops, I meant to explain that in my previous post.:doh:
The top gear ratio is the same but the 8-speed has a wider total gear range allowing you to have a lower gearing in 1st (all else the same). So you can run a higher rear axel gear without 1st gear slump........effectively making the last gear taller. The caveat is that the towing capacity is decreased.
Yes, but with the 8 speed the difference in tow rating between a 3.21 axle truck and one with 3.92s is much less than the difference between a 6 speed truck with 3.21s and one with 3.92s
I came from a 2003 Tahoe to a 2013 RAM with the eight speed, 3:21 axle ratio, I agree with snrusnak observation. My highway MPG is up two MPG over the Tahoe but my city driving is up several MPG. Some of the gains can be due to modernization of the powertrain.I find this very hard to believe lol.
Certainly the ratios of the 8 speed are better, but the 6 speed is also good. Highway mpg will be roughly the same since both transmissions have the same final ratio. Although I bet the 8 speed will be at least slightly more efficient. The city mpg should be a little better with the 8 speed and it should feel "lighter" while accelerating.
Your 2011 RAM 5 speed was, except for the shift pattern, identical to the later model 6 speed. Same guts, same gears, just different shifting.I never drove the six speed but it's 2-3 ratios are very close, just like my 2011 5 sped. It's basically a waste.