SXT isn't too shabby either...

[deniss]

I was driving by my Dodge dealer yesterday, and I saw Magnum on their lot which wasn't an RT (judging by wheels and headlamps). It turned out to be an SXT. So I drove it. Not too shabby at all! That thing wants to go and be revved and just begs you to punch it. It gives very good response, and I thought the tranny has a Benz-type tuning for shifting gears, which was a smooth and quick operation. All in all, I was impressed with the SXT. It definitely has ENOUGH power. Sure, it's not your V8 HEMI, but the engine is potent enough that unless you really want to burn rubber, you won't notice it that much in your everyday driving. I love its meaty growl too. :) Now I am thinking I might step down to SXT but get more toys with it though, like remote ignition, Navi, Sirius, Sunroof, etc, and it comes up around 30 grand. I like its cloth interior too. Leather is great on RT, but it's hot in the summer, cold in the winter, needs heated seats (which is an extra grand) etc etc... Just thought I'd share my SXT enthusiasm.

[HemiMagnum]

the tranny has the benz type tuning because the 5-45RFE is a benz tranny ;)

[deniss]

Really? I thought the 4-speed unit installed on RWD SXT and SE was the old 4-speed unit from Chrysler 300 and Dodge Intrepid, only slightly reworked. It sure sounded like a Benz when it was shifting (an older Benz, though). I was surprised.

[Magnum Dave]

I'm curious about the tranny. I've got an R/T with the 5 speed auto and I don't know if it's shifting properly. My tech doesn't really have anything to compare it with from feel, and the diagnostics are all good. When it's rolling things are great, but moving from park to reverse or to drive causes quite a "clunk". Maybe I'm just not used to it, but it feels rougher (not meshing?) than it needs to be. Anyone have an idea? Thanks!
Dave

[HemiMagnum]

oh its a four speed? not real sure then


i know the five speed autos are benz 5-45RFEs

[tedman5]

Magnum Dave- Mine has the clunk too. I think its just the u-joints engaging,
I thought it sounded a bit strange also.

[AP]

the tranny has the benz type tuning because the 5-45RFE is a benz tranny ;)
I'm sorry, but the 5-45RFE Tranny is not a Benz tranny. I you ever read my posts. I work at Delaware Machinery and Tool Co. We build and supply Kokomo Chrysler Casting Plant the 50 ton aluminum injected die molds to them. I should know because I had to polish all the mold cavities in every die. All the way back to it experimental days. The Benz tranny is totally different. KCCP has 2 separate dies that make 2 different auto 5 speeds, The 5-45RFE and the Benz tranny. They both are also cosmetically different. What vehicle DC decides to those trannies in is up to them. Believe me, We at DM were confused because they were building a new casting foundry for another 5 speed auto. We were like, "what other 5 speed auto?" That's when the Benz tranny stepped in. We also supply the A-500, A-518, 42RLE, etc. I didn't mean this in any harsh way. I just wanted to get this clear.

[Unholy]

Sorry to disagree... but my build sheet says;

DGJ 5-spd Auto, W5A580

Look up W5A580 on google... and you get;
DaimlerChrysler Corporation (DCC) will invest $455 million in its Indiana Transmission Plant (ITP) in Kokomo, Ind. to produce a Mercedes-Benz developed transmission – the first example of component sharing between the Chrysler Group and Mercedes-Benz since the merger of Chrysler Corporation and Daimler-Benz in 1998.
DCC will expand ITP by 600,000 square-feet and will build the Mercedes-Benz "W5A580" transmission for use in future Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® products.
Make your own judgment....

[Magnum Dave]

Thanks Tedman, I thought that it might be the U joints as well, but it feels different than my old rear drive cars. Maybe I just ahve to get used to it. Thanks again!
Dave

[AP]

Sorry to disagree... but my build sheet says;

DGJ 5-spd Auto, W5A580

Look up W5A580 on google... and you get;

Make your own judgment....
I understand what you are saying. Your build sheet says that you have the Benz tranny. Thats good. I looked it up in the past when I heard the word about the tranny. It doesn't even look like the 5-45RFE. You are making it out that the 5-45RFE is the Benz tranny, it is not! We are at this present time (right now ) building some more 5-45RFE dies. It's good that they are buliding the Benz tranny dies. I just want to make it clear that there are 2 5 speed autos. The 5-45RFE and the W5A580 Benz tranny. Like I said, it will be up to DC to decide on what vehicles to put them in. If you buy a Ram or whatever, if the window sticker says W5A580 then you will have the Benz tranny. If you buy a vehicle that says 5-45RFE then it is the ones that we build. Not Kokomo. We build the 5-45-RFE dies, sell them to them. They then mass produce them. They build their own W5A580 dies and mass produce them. Remember, 1 die mold will make the 5-45RFE tranny and another complete separate die mold will make the Benz tranny. AP

[AP]

If you still think that we don't build the 5-45RFE and they are both the same...well here ya go! Please look at our shaded model drawing ( which looks like the casting to this day) compared to the Benz tranny. Study every contour around the bell flange, and everywhere else. They sure don't look the same to me.

[Unholy]

Now Im even more confused...:SPIN:

:dunno: So your saying if my sticker says;

W5A580 = Benz Tranny
5-45RFE = Non-Benz Tranny

[AP]

Yes, you got it! :) Thank you! As a matter of fact, I was polishing ( not finished ) on one of the blocks lastnight, that makes part of the inner bell housing of the 5-45RFE. It's called the Bell Tip assembly. The main Spline Tip Core assembly will come next. It goes in the big hole ( sunk in counter bore ) in the top. In the casting you'll see what impression it makes. These blocks are so much fun to polish :rolleyes: This is one block compared to the 7 that goes together separately to make that whole damn casting. When the die is fully assembled it weighs around 50 tons. I get to look foward to more of these blocks the rest of the week. :help: But I can't complain, it's work for us. Most places are not doing so well right now. Yep, the W5A580 is a benz tranny and the 4-45RFE is a Chrysler design only. See, there has been the 5-45RFE trannies in trucks and jeeps long before Kokomo even built their new die cast facility for the benz tranny dies. Kokomo engineers and our engineers were in a wreck trying to figure out how to make this damn thing work. When it came time to build it, and start polishing the cavity molds.....I was a wreck! Which is old news. The experimental engine block dies that we also built here about 5 months ago or so would drive anyone under. Especially Chryslers " New World " I4 ( inline 4 cyl ) engine block die last year. I wanted to commit suicide! Now it's Fords V6 engine block die that has gotten the best of most of us. Sample pics below. Those are in our holding bay waiting to be inspected by another department. AP