who cares - who TF needs 8 speeds ridiculous bunch of manipulating sales gimmick BS ...

 

Not a gimmick. An 8 speed transmission can help keep the engine in the most efficient RPM range and make a notable difference in performance. It offers decent performance and economy without the quirkiness of a CVT.

 

So untrue it's not even funny

You clearly don't get it. Look at the gear splits:

8HP-
1st-4.696
2nd-3.13
3rd-2.104
4th-1.667
5th-1.285
6th-1
7th-.839
8th-.667


545RFE-
1st-3.0
2nd-1.67/1.5
3rd-1
4th-.75
5th-.67

You have a far deeper 1st, and less of a drop between gears. This keeps the engine in its sweet spot where it makes the most power and/or is the most efficient. And due to the deeper 1st gear, you can have a numerically lower axle ratio to maintain or improve fuel mileage on the highway. Basically the engine doesn't have to lug in a gear or rev out in a gear, the idea is that's it's nearly always in the optimal gear for a given situation.

Don't believe, you don't have to. But it's legit and not a gimmick, and that's a fact. And it's about time we get it.

 

+1 ...certainly shouldn't be an issue!

 

whatever you want to spend YOUR money on I guess ...

 

So the fact that almost every car manufacturer has an 8 speed means nothing?
Including every premium car company.
A gimmick? No chance!!

I guess if you hate better performance and better gas mileage a 5 speed is perfect for you.

 

Looks good! Guess I will wait a year or too (until someone else figures it out) then swap the 8-speed and electronics in to our Durango. Having a first gear would be real nice.

Found this, current V6 ratios
1 = 3.59;
2 = 2.19;
3 = 1.41;
4 = 1;
5 = 0.83;
R = 3.16;
Final = 3.06

 

Quit trying to explain this to him. I've seen this guy on a few different threads, and he has trolled all of them. He keeps insinuating everyone has a sales pitch

 

8 speed will make a huge difference, especially for mileage and towing.

 

more gears may typically mean better mpg and towing but does not necessarily
translate into better performance in all cases. changing gears in itself takes time..
Going from a 6 gear to an 8 will not be "huge"
From a 4 or the 5 gear tranny to the 8, maybe...