Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Ford E4OD trans in a Dodge Ram?

[Mingoglia]

Gdouglas: I don't think the overall power output that the transmission/torque converter can handle when behind a gas engine can be compared to what it can handle behind a diesel because of the diesels low end grunt. The diesel engine is at (or near) peak output before the line pressure is up which causes excess slippage... which of course creates heat. In contrast, the gas engine doesn't deliver nearly the same amount of torque at lower RPMs... . especially a gas motor built for speed (horsepower).

 

[Chipstien]

Gdouglas, if you end up doing this... . let us know how it goes.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

I agree with mingoglia on what kills these babies. Low rpm torque is a killer. wait till the 2003s get the uprate and the auto. 555 lb ft at 1400 rpm. I hope this works for you gdouglas. With a good tc I cant see why not.

78 powerwagon I dont recommend my setup as it does not work any longer. It did not last very long at that power level. I could count it in days. Up to about 350 a good tc and vb will get you there. I have neither. I have an aftermarket tc and vb but they are not very good. If they were maybe my problems wouldnt have been so bad so fast. If I were a moron I wouldve already burned it up. I shift it manually. I cant do 40 mph regardless of the setting.

 

[GDouglas]

The neat thing about the Baumann Engineering programable controller is that you can even program your own specific line pressure curve to suit your needs. This feature should help the trans stay together with the typical low end grunt of a diesel.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

I went and inquired with my local mopar transmission guru and here is what he said. He told me for my aspirations I should do some fancy 727 or just build my 618. He is sure that it will hold up better in the long run for maximum power. He works on PSDs and Cummins alike and here is his take on the trannies. The E4OD is built like a brick poop house but the reciprocating weight winds up killing it. In his experience stock for stock. The E4OD is good for 30 to 50k behind a 15k 5ver whereas the 47rh is good for 100 to 120k in the same application. The 47rh isnt built near as tough but outlasts seven days to sunday. He then made an analogy. If you were to drag a dumpster lid down the road with your truck it would be somewhat intact after 300 miles. If you were to drag a chevy 350 down the road it would be better than half gone when you got there due to the weight of the motor destroying itself.

I must admit that he is a bit slanted being a mopar man. I am somewhat against fords because of the 7. 3s that I have seen fail at an early age with my 60 year old pa behind the wheel. The manuals have held up well. I also had alot of problems early on with my first ford pickup which left me more than disenchanted. My eldest brother has also had a hell of a time with his new v10. He smoked his tc by 20k.

If this swap works I would not hesitate to try it.

Ive had fairly good luck with my 727s. All of which have lasted in excess of 100k even under severe abuse.

The good ol c4 and c6 still impress me to this day.

 

[GDouglas]

The latest version of the E4OD/4R100 has internal clutch drums that have gone to lighter stamped steel pieces vs. the older style heavier cast iron pieces. Also, from the center support to the back of the transmission, the E4OD/4R100 is basically identical to a C6 and uses much of the same parts. Just think if one were to put some of the late model stamped steel parts in an earlier C6. That would probably knock off a tenth of a second off quarter mile times for those folks that run a C6 at the dragstrip.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

I just sold a ford pickup I had with a C6 in it. That transmission had worked all its life and when I dropped the pan it wasn't eating itself up like some of my other transmissions. The C6 had 160k on it and still shifted strong like new. I also parted with a car that had a 69 727 at the beginning of summer. It was also in great condition. The 69 had 37k original miles on it. It was behind a mean 440. Pass everything but the gas station. Good ol pre emissions 440 got me a whopping 5. 5 to 6 mpg. The car had one of the tallest rear ends id ever seen like a 273 or 250 somin. Real tall. Obviously to help improve the fantastic fuel mileage it was capable of. The only thing that really broke on that car was the motor mounts. I was thinking of chaining the engine to the frame. Ill miss her dearly but the divorce cost me alot of things I love. 3 motorcycles, 2 snowmachines, and about the cost of a brand new dodge in cash. I wound up losing two of my best friends in the maylee. I still got my dog and my pride.

 

[dthorkelson]

Ford Transmission

C Douglas. I agree with M Evan. I had a 2000 Ford with the 4100RE and I experienced a lot of problems, both reliability and driveability. I had a 6500 lb 5er so definitely did not overtax the vehicle, still the torque converter was replaced, the front pump in the transmission was replaced, as well as it leaked when I happily got rid of the unit at 17000 miles, The driveability of these transmissions are also an eye opening experience, When cruising along with the cruise control on and you encounter a small hill or wind, when it shifts from overdrive to 3rd (or direct) it feels and sounds like you hit the drive train with a 20 lb sledge hammer hard. This has to be extremely hard on everything. Hope this helps with your decision!! Don T