I just had a great conversation with Ryan and Dennis at ATS diesel. They are very interested in working with us to create a transmission along with their co-pilot transmission controller. They will be in contact with me in a couple days about testing their products out. Please refer back to this thread with any questions or complaints you have about products that you have purchased from ATS diesel.
And don't look back.
Just general info but I'm trying to find a way to control the throttle valve using a pneumatic cylinder or linear actuator. Bits and pieces should be arriving shortly for me to start experimenting with. If there are any radio control enthusiasts that have experience with pwm control of motors I could certainly use some input.
Keith, you could have a really cool shop in the business of trans swaps & rebuilds, Hemi engine repairs, mods, supercharging, tuning, suspension mods, traction bars, ect, ect, ect.
If anyone could do it, it would be you. :bow::bow::bow:
Stu, you need to switch to decaf.. as for your list of questions they show a level of ignorance that surprises me. The a518/46rh and later 46re have been used in trucks from around 1991 beginning with diesels. This trans evolved to 47re and 48re and continued to be used by diesels and heavy duty gas trucks up the introduction of the 65rfe/68rfe. I mention the 47 and 48 versions only because many of their components are used in rebuilt 46rh's. Anyone who has done the six speed manual conversion or has a stock manual trans behind a hemi is using the same pcm configuration as a stand alone 46rh. The 46rh with the exception it uses a 05 manual trans starter motor and PATC flex plate is a bolt in so anyone that can install a transmission can bolt up a 46rh. The hardest part of the installation is the proper installation of a throttle valve cable (TV). I pieced mine together using a Lokar throttle kit. Putting it together takes an understanding of how the TV cable functions. Everyone's skill set is different, but anyone who can perform somewhat advanced modifications can do this swap. However it is not for the novice only because of the TV cable fabrication needed. This swap can be done relatively inexpensively as it doesn't need adaptors, cross member fabrication, altered driveshaft or a stand alone electronic controller. The transmission itself can be a $1000 rebuild to a $7000 custom billet built one. Martin Saine custom built mine to handle a supercharged modified hemi. It's durability is unquestionably. You can goggle his reviews or call him. Supershafts on this forum once mentioned he knew someone who had done this swap. I personally have not seen another truck done. However there are more than a few retro rods using a 46rh successfully behind a 3g hemi and this is what gave me the confidence to go forward with my install. The professional builders who are doing this install use the 03 ram remote APPS box with the TV cable tied into it, which makes for a clean setup. I'm working on an alternative to the TV cable using pneumatic cylinder or a linear actuator instead of cable. If I can make this a reliable solution it will make any install as simple as a trans bolt up. My install was done as an experiment, Keith's install will be a documented swap. In the future I see Keith is going to be a very busy man.. much like any modification if you feel the swap isn't for you, then don't do it.. but from what I have seen the only thing the 545 has consistantly been good at is holding a door open.. good luck..
Hey Greg,
I have been thinking of your idea of using a pneumatic cylinder to replace the tv cable and thought maybe a wastegate actuator would work and could be had cheap from a junkyard (for testing purposes) . I just wish i knew how much force is needed to actuate the transmission
:lol: April put me on decaf along time ago.... As for the questions, people are going to ask those kinds of questions. Never bothered looking up what was behind a diesel. Only researched what was behind my Hemi and what it was designed to do. As well as how I could build my own performance trans. Besides, I haven't caught up to Keith's 14 rebuilds of his 545 trans yet.... :rofl: Sorry Keith, couldn't help myself.
A TV Cable is what I would call in the olden days a Kick down/throttle pressure linkage?
"The TV lever moves very easily. Here is how I've mentally visualized the operation.
With the engine off no vacuum condition. A spring pulls the lever to max position.
Engine running 15psi of vacuum. The air cylinder pulls the lever to minimum position.
Now as the throttle opens and closes, the vacuum varies with load. So working in conjunction with the spring the lever moves in relation to the load.
Now with the throttle wot (no vacuum) the lever is again held in"
In theory what your describing should work. Greg I assume you trans doesn't have a manual valve body?
Storytime: About 35 years ago a farmer down the road had a 1955 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 dually. It had been used on his farm since new with the first rendition of the later popular 727. The trans was cast iron with push button control. To start it you'd turn on the ignition and push the neutral button to crank it. It also had the trans pump located in the rear of the trans so it could be easily push started. The transfer case was a separate unit attached by a Ujoint. The old farmer said it didn't always start but once running it couldn't be stopped. I traded a surplus Italian carcano rifle for it. What the farmer actually was saying is; it didn't run and had no brakes.
Not likely, this was pre cell/beeper days.. it certainly wasn't pretty although i did find some replacement doors and bought a 440 donor car to update it. Somewhere lost interest and sold, gave away all of it. It would have needed a frame off build to make it cool. But it was small compared to what we expect a 1 ton to be today.
I have great news ATS diesel has decided to go forward and build a new 545RFE transmission. As of today my transmission is on its way to ATS. They will be sending me a redesigned 545REF along with their co-pilot :dance: As soon as I get the new transmission and installed I will have an update.Also while the truck is a part I am in the process of having a new motor built just so I can throw some added power at the transmission
All I have planned this year is to clean up my electrical units, utilizing the Megasquirt to act as the main control module and a cam change. Keith has too much time on his hands and needs to polish his tuning skills.... it truly never ends..
Need to knock 4 tenths off...
just an update... My transmission from ATS diesel is in transit on its way to my house, should have it soon. Had a phone conversation with Ryan at ATS diesel and spoke with him about warranty issues that some of you guys were having who have purchased Transmissions from ATS. Ryan expressed that ATS would stand behind their warranties and they are here to help!
Mark, please know that you have our full support and we are looking forward to increasing our 545rfe's performance with the feedback from your build and others on this forum. If anyone has any questions or concerns with future or previous purchases please do not hesitate to contact us at 1800-949-6002. You can request me (Dennis) specifically if needed and I will be sure any questions you have get answers.
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