They're going to put a transmission rated 62 ft-lbs LESS than the current 800ft-lbs the Cummins is rated at behind the diesel?
Makes perfect sense
I would be shocked if the 6. 7 had an 8 speed behind it. Unless, of course, they do some serious reworking of the ZF to put up with the power.
The jump from the 48re to the 68rfe was the most terrific advancement DC has ever made. The difference in the long run from the 6 speed to an 8 speed will be just as great. For someone to say DC will NEVER harness the cummins with an 8 speed is a lunatic. The secret to a pulling diesel is as many gears as possible and keeping the engine RPM about the same while pulling. I did not explain that like an expert but I know if I have to downshift while in a hard pull - if the gear spread is a lot the engine will and does get into a loaded situation that may require downshifting again. Try doing a reverse move at low speed up a steep grade in reverse with a 48re and compare it to the same move with a 68rfe.
The 8 speed was designed to run behind the 3. 6l... ..... hopefully the hemi version will get some additional beef with over 100lbft more torque
It does. There are two versions of the ZF 8-speed currently used in the Ram 1500s. THe 8HP45 with the Pentastar V6 is rated for 332 lbft of torque while the Hemi gets the higher capacity 8HP70 which is good for 516 lbft.
http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/dodge/2013-ram-powertrain.html
Well we are even closer to an introduction of a redesigned HD Cummins with 8 speed auto......