8th Gear on Highway

[Dusty1948]

GregHBNA, agreed that the the 3.6 pentastar is a great engine. I'd put it near the top of "regular/workhorse" motors. And also agree it doesn't belong with the 3.21 in the Ram.

But GM's 4.3 and turbo i4 work much better. I too have driven them, and it's not really a competition between those and the 3.6. They're still not hemi's, but they make much torque, and in the case of the i4 they make it really low down. You can say "it sucks", but compared to what. The Hemi? Ok... Compared to any other base engine in a truck from Ford/Ram? Nope. The i4 is a replacement for the 4.3, not the 5.3, and viewed in that light it does an amazing job for all those people who buy trucks to be used as "big passenger cars". You're not going to tow a 30 foot TT, but they're base engines. The 5.3 and the 6.2 and the 3.0 diesel cover towing.

Let's face it; I love my Ram, but the GM twins have better power train options all around. We need something to match the 6.2 v8 and 3.5 ecoboost, there is nothing. The 3.0 diesel is a strong performer, with much less lag and more power it seems than the 3rd gen ED. And the base engines (4.3 + turbo i4) are stronger than the 3.6.

Anyway, I'm rambling, but I prefer to keep Ram's feet in the fire to push them into better powertrains, we can't do that by pretending it's all sunshine and roses in the Ram because that really is their weakspot. (and my hemi ticks and clacks too much, at times I'm embarassed to drive it)

"...I prefer to keep Ram's feet in the fire to push them into better powertrains, we can't do that by pretending it's all sunshine and roses in the Ram because that really is their weak spot."

What you say is true, comparatively Rams powertrain selection is meager by todays competitive standards. Of course, up until very recently FCA'a financial position was grossly negative and I'm sure that had a limiting effect on engine development. Technically they have 6.1, 6.2, and 6.4 power plants that could be used, but with having to buy CAFE credits from other companies for the last ten I'm sure it negated their thoughts of packing one of those for a 1/2 ton.

This may surprise you but of all of the engines I've had from GM, Ford, Nissan and Toyota, the smoothest, quietest engine I ever owned was the 4.7 PowerTech I had in my '03 Dakota. It had gobs of low-end torque and power. After 140K + miles it still ran like a watch. I realize in a Ram they were somewhat lacking, especially in fuel mileage, but I still wonder what could've been done with that little motor.

The rumor(s) a little while ago was the plan for a Ram turbo charged inline six. As far as that goes, the current Pentastar motor was designed at the onset for turbo charging. So maybe somethings around the corner. Of course Ram engineers could go the other way and build bodies with aluminum.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 038843 miles.

 

[User_3336]

Compared to the 4.3 V6, it was very loud, and seemed underpowered, yet revs pretty high.

You can say "it sucks", but compared to what. The Hemi? Ok... Compared to any other base engine in a truck from Ford/Ram? Nope. The i4 is a replacement for the 4.3, not the 5.3, and viewed in that light it does an amazing job for all those people who buy trucks to be used as "big passenger cars". You're not going to tow a 30 foot TT, but they're base engines. The 5.3 and the 6.2 and the 3.0 diesel cover towing.

 

[silver billet]

Compared to the 4.3 V6, it was very loud, and seemed underpowered, yet revs pretty high.

I'm not saying you have to like it, but your experience seems to be contrary to most others. I'll give you the "loud", though I wouldn't use that term, it's certainly louder than the v6 but just sounds like every other 4 banger, the nature of the design. It redlines at 5700 rpms, which is quite low, Chevy designed this for truck use so they tuned for low end torque, that's why it actually redlines quite low. Many reviews say something like this: "plug my ears, and I wouldn't know if I was driving the turbo or the 5.3".

Car and driver tested it, and pulling 6000 pounds it took 1 second longer to reach 60 mph than a Ram with the hemi pulling the same load. They also tested it for noise level, it came in at 65 db @ 70 mph, the same as the Ram.

So it has its uses, if only to help Ram upgrade their power trains as I find them "sufficient but unimpressive" at this point (speaking only about the 1500's; 3/4 and 1 tons they have some very competitive offerings)

 

[Lil'Mike]

Oddly enough, my V6 with 3.21 gears stayed in 8th most of the time during a recent 2 hour highway trip. I was able to sustain 8th mostly cruising at 80. Now, it has been significantly cooler as of late so, perhaps the colder air or reduced need for A/C helped engine performance?

Still pretty bummed with the engine/transmission performance and real world MPG. But, the truck looks great and has many nice convenience features my 4th gen did not have. I’m going to make the best of it for now and at least I’m not paying any interest (0% for 84) on my 50k poor decision while I watch the market for my next move...

Again, appreciate all the knowledge shared! Maybe I’ll just slap on a supercharger when there’s one on the market.

 

[User_3336]

At 80, you probably should be staying in 8th. Its those lower speeds up to like 65-70.
Below 60 sometimes is awful, its like 6-7-8 then 7th then 6th, and 7th, and no more 8th! LOL

Oddly enough, my V6 with 3.21 gears stayed in 8th most of the time during a recent 2 hour highway trip. I was able to sustain 8th mostly cruising at 80. Now, it has been significantly cooler as of late so, perhaps the colder air or reduced need for A/C helped engine performance?

Still pretty bummed with the engine/transmission performance and real world MPG. But, the truck looks great and has many nice convenience features my 4th gen did not have. I’m going to make the best of it for now and at least I’m not paying any interest (0% for 84) on my 50k poor decision while I watch the market for my next move...

Again, appreciate all the knowledge shared! Maybe I’ll just slap on a supercharger when there’s one on the market.

 

[WXman]

Not to go off on a tangent, but I wonder how the ED paired with a 3.92 would drive? MPG?

What MPG do you get with the V6 and 3.21? 3.55?

EcoD with 3.92s here, and I stay in 8th gear almost all the time. My truck will actually tow my enclosed trailer in 8th gear and won't downshift to 7th unless I start pulling a hill.

As far as the OP's truck... that's a 260 lb/ft engine (think 1990s) that doesn't belong in a full size truck in the first place, and then they mated it to 3.21 axle gears that also don't belong in a truck. So you can't expect performance out of that. And, unless you live in Kansas it's also going to be hard on fuel because of all the constant revving to make enough power to meet demand.

I've had 4 different Pentastar 3.6L engines in 4 different vehicles. All were fantastic. But, all were Jeeps or cars. Every single person I know who has gotten the Pentastar in a Ram 1500 hates it and immediately regretted the decision, except for 1 guy and he drives like Grandpa so he doesn't care.

 

[Lil'Mike]

EcoD with 3.92s here, and I stay in 8th gear almost all the time. My truck will actually tow my enclosed trailer in 8th gear and won't downshift to 7th unless I start pulling a hill.

As far as the OP's truck... that's a 260 lb/ft engine (think 1990s) that doesn't belong in a full size truck in the first place, and then they mated it to 3.21 axle gears that also don't belong in a truck. So you can't expect performance out of that. And, unless you live in Kansas it's also going to be hard on fuel because of all the constant revving to make enough power to meet demand.

I've had 4 different Pentastar 3.6L engines in 4 different vehicles. All were fantastic. But, all were Jeeps or cars. Every single person I know who has gotten the Pentastar in a Ram 1500 hates it and immediately regretted the decision, except for 1 guy and he drives like Grandpa so he doesn't care.

It’ll likely cost a fortune, but I’ll ask my dealer what it would cost to change the gear ratio. $2500? Too bad for such a cheap option. I don’t think the V6 can be built with 3.92 gears, just 3.21 and 3.55 from what I can tell. My truck is 4WD.

 

[Mtsabo]

2019 Ram 1500 V6 eTorque Review:

The most significant difference is that this truck is powered by the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 rated at 305 horsepower and 269-pound-feet of torque. The Pentastar...

5thgenrams.com

From this site. They seem to think its alright

 

[Lil'Mike]

2019 Ram 1500 V6 eTorque Review:

The most significant difference is that this truck is powered by the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 rated at 305 horsepower and 269-pound-feet of torque. The Pentastar...

5thgenrams.com

From this site. They seem to think its alright

I have a 2020 - January build - part of me thinks that many of my issues are software related. It would be nice to drive a 2019 to compare!

 

[taz2016]

EcoD with 3.92s here, and I stay in 8th gear almost all the time. My truck will actually tow my enclosed trailer in 8th gear and won't downshift to 7th unless I start pulling a hill.

As far as the OP's truck... that's a 260 lb/ft engine (think 1990s) that doesn't belong in a full size truck in the first place, and then they mated it to 3.21 axle gears that also don't belong in a truck. So you can't expect performance out of that. And, unless you live in Kansas it's also going to be hard on fuel because of all the constant revving to make enough power to meet demand.

I've had 4 different Pentastar 3.6L engines in 4 different vehicles. All were fantastic. But, all were Jeeps or cars. Every single person I know who has gotten the Pentastar in a Ram 1500 hates it and immediately regretted the decision, except for 1 guy and he drives like Grandpa so he doesn't care.
[/
Technically you don't know me but I don't hate my 2019 Pentastar Ram 1500 (3.55 gears) nor do I regret my decision to purchase it over the Hemi. It does everything I ask of it including any towing I will ever do. It also gets 3 to 5 mpg better than the Hemi as near as I can tell. Even though I live in a hilly area my truck cruises in 8th a fair amount of the time.
By the way, one of my other vehicles is a C7 Corvette and I definitely don't drive like anybody's grandpa.

 

[silver billet]

Yeah, he's just one of those guys for which nothing is good if he doesn't own it. Just carry on.

 

[CHONRAM]

Not to go off on a tangent, but I wonder how the ED paired with a 3.92 would drive? MPG?

What MPG do you get with the V6 and 3.21? 3.55?

Aside from turbo lag it’s nice, 2020 Big Horn crew cab 4x4 with ED/3.92’s. First tank was 26+ mpg hand calculated. Should get better as the motor breaks in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mikeru82]

Can you imagine putting a V6 in a REBEL? (surely there is no such configuration).

Tell me why you think putting a v6 in a Rebel is any different than putting it in any other trim level of the Ram 1500. There's really nothing special about the Rebel other than the suspension. Plenty of people buy them and never go off-road. I was one of those people as my previous truck was a 2017 Rebel, and the closest it ever got to off-road was gravel LOL. Just so you know, the v6 is the base engine in the Rebel just like all Ram 1500 models.

Having said that, I totally agree with you that full sized trucks should have a v8 if it's gas powered. But I know there are some who are very happy with the pentastar engine in their 1500.

 

[Lil'Mike]

Just an update for the group. Because I have been trying to sneak out extra HP from my Pentastar Ram, I may have caused more problems all along than helped. Once I purchased the truck, I quickly installed a drop in filter and worked over the last few months to install a Corsa catback exhaust. In my attempt to get a decent trade in number for my truck, I returned the exhaust and filter to stock.

.... And to my surprise (which I shouldn’t be) the truck runs infinitely better with the stock filter and exhaust. Some of my other transmission and surging issues still exist, but the truck can keep 8th and MPGs are climbing to window sticker levels.

So, maybe I’ll be on the for sale thread posting the corsa kit and filter... It’s a real bummer as I enjoyed the exhaust notes, but the truck must be tuned with factory equipment, no help needed from an amateur like me. Go figure!