I live in the island of Malta and I am intentioned to buy a GC SRT8 as soon as it comes to Europe, but I read something I didn't like about transmission. It seems to be taken as it is from the diesel version, that has much less power and a lower torque than the SRT. In addition, in the SRT 90% of the power is to the rear wheels, so it seems to me that the rear transmission is quite underdimensioned, having to deal with a torque that will be +- double than the diesel, unless it is much oversized fro the diesel version. I heard in this forum several complaints about transmission noises, and since all the SRTs actually are new, I would not like to discover that those noises will be the anticipation of more serious problems.... Couldn't it be that, wanting to build a very cheap (for the performance) vehicle, the engineers exagerated a bit?

I live in the island of Malta and I am intentioned to buy a GC SRT8 as soon as it comes to Europe, but I read something I didn't like about transmission. It seems to be taken as it is from the diesel version, that has much less power and a lower torque than the SRT. In addition, in the SRT 90% of the power is to the rear wheels, so it seems to me that the rear transmission is quite underdimensioned, having to deal with a torque that will be +- double than the diesel, unless it is much oversized fro the diesel version. I heard in this forum several complaints about transmission noises, and since all the SRTs actually are new, I would not like to discover that those noises will be the anticipation of more serious problems.... Couldn't it be that, wanting to build a very cheap (for the performance) vehicle, the engineers exagerated a bit?


If you are so worried, go buy a Nissan !

... but I read something I didn't like about transmission. ...I heard in this forum several complaints about transmission noises...
WHAT noises? I haven't read of any noise complaints on the transmission in the SRT8.... maybe you are thinking of the transfer case?

I live in the island of Malta and I am intentioned to buy a GC SRT8 as soon as it comes to Europe, but I read something I didn't like about transmission. It seems to be taken as it is from the diesel version, that has much less power and a lower torque than the SRT. In addition, in the SRT 90% of the power is to the rear wheels, so it seems to me that the rear transmission is quite underdimensioned, having to deal with a torque that will be +- double than the diesel, unless it is much oversized fro the diesel version. I heard in this forum several complaints about transmission noises, and since all the SRTs actually are new, I would not like to discover that those noises will be the anticipation of more serious problems.... Couldn't it be that, wanting to build a very cheap (for the performance) vehicle, the engineers exagerated a bit?You are completely misinformed. The transmission is a Mercedes Benz design almost identical to one used in their AMG 65 series vehicles that produce in excess of 700 ft lbs of Torque & over 600 HP. The Transfer Case is a hybrid unit especially designed for the 6.1 Hemi. It does use the rear half of the European Diesel X-fer Case due to it's inherent strength of design to accomodate the high torque associated with the Diesel's output. This is a strength however rather than a weakness.

To Rob dance: I don't think that saying "Go to buy a Nissan" is an answer.

To ARH 1956: it doesn't seem that I am all that misinformed. What I am referring to is exactly the rear part od the 4WD transmission, of which you said:

"It does use the rear half of the European Diesel X-fer Case due to it's inherent strength of design to accomodate the high torque associated with the Diesel's output."

This is exactly what I meant and what worries me. Let's see the figures.

The european diesel engine produces 218 BHP and 334 lb/ft of torque, of which 50% (167 lb/ft) to the rear. The srt produces 420 lb/ft of torque, of which 90% (378 lb/ft) to the back, that means 126% more.
In the SRT version you can have enough torque to the rear wheels to make them skid (see the SRT advert...), while in the diesel version it's hard to do it on the snow...

About the AMG transmission, what are the parts that are the same? The gear of AMG is a seven speed, the transfer case has low gears, so it cannot be these. I don't have information about the rear powertrain (shaft + joints + diff) but if the one used in the diesel version can manage a torque more than dounble, it is a real waste of money when mounted on the diesel...

What I would like to know is if this version is to be intended as a "cafe racer", to be used for few miles per year, or can be considered an allround wehicle, even if powerful, as the ML AMG certainly is.

You are interchanging the word "transmission" with "transfer case". Call it what you want, I said "you are misinformed". The transmission used is the Mercedes Benz sourced W5A580. The same 5 Speed trans has been used in past AMG 65's with over 600 HP & 700 Lbs of torque. It will hold up fine to the GC SRT8's output. This is a totally different unit than the 7 Speed transmission you mentioned. And the transmission is neither 2WD, or 4WD it simply drives an output shaft a certain % of engine speed depending upon what gear it is in.

The Transfer Case is what you are talking about. It is a hybrid unit designed specifically for the SRT8. Jeep used the Diesel version because it is the heaviest duty available. The Euro Diesel puts out 376 Ft/Lbs of torque, higher than even the 5.7 Hemi. And in contrast to your statement, the transfer case in the Euro Diesel model can put almost 100% of the power to the rear wheels. It does not split it 50/50 as you described. The 376 Ft/Lbs at very low RPM while off-roading puts a far greater strain on the drivetrain components than typical on-road usage. Jeep determined the success of this transfer case in the Diesel proved it was more than capable of handling the 420 Ft/Lbs of the GC SRT8 in the tamer world of highway use.

ARH1956, you are the man!

ARH1956, you are the man!

Brilliant !
( I am guessing he didn`t buy the Nissan )

To ARH 1956: I thank you for your reply, that gave me a lot of info. Can you give me some more? First of all I apologize if I use techinical terms that are not correct, my motherlanguage is not english.
What I mean for transmission is what is AFTER the tranfer case, after the power has been split between the front and rear wheels. This happens in the diesel version at around 50/50. Of course, if one of the two (front or rear) skids, up to 100% of the torque can go the front or rear, but this happens for very short times, so it will not affect the transmission.
What I would like to know, since you seem to have good sources of info, if the rear transmission (shaft, diff + the shafts from the diff to the wheels that I don't know the name) are of the diesel version. If so, this means that they are designe to transmit an AVERAGE torque of 376/2=188 lb/ft compared to the 420*0.9=378 lb/ft of the SRT. Thanks

To Rob dance and SPLIT2112: I don't want to make a bar discussion about which are the best cars, I am only looking for technical info. After this, I am perfectly able to choose my own car. So please avoide expressions that sound like "He put this disturber in his own place", and if you have any useful info give them to me. We have all passion for engines, and as an english said once "if everybody had the same opinion, there vouldn't even be horse races...)

i was simply complimenting ARH1956 on his super extensive knowledge of our jeep (as i have no where near that level of information in my brain)...

Henceforth, i would appreciate it if you wouldnt jump to conclusions and try to belittle mine and Rob's compliments/pride in ARH and our jeeps.

To ARH 1956: I thank you for your reply, that gave me a lot of info. Can you give me some more? First of all I apologize if I use techinical terms that are not correct, my motherlanguage is not english.
What I mean for transmission is what is AFTER the tranfer case, after the power has been split between the front and rear wheels. This happens in the diesel version at around 50/50. Of course, if one of the two (front or rear) skids, up to 100% of the torque can go the front or rear, but this happens for very short times, so it will not affect the transmission.
What I would like to know, since you seem to have good sources of info, if the rear transmission (shaft, diff + the shafts from the diff to the wheels that I don't know the name) are of the diesel version. If so, this means that they are designe to transmit an AVERAGE torque of 376/2=188 lb/ft compared to the 420*0.9=378 lb/ft of the SRT. ThanksThe "AVERAGE torque" loads you mentioned are never considered when designing the drivetrain. Jeep prides itself in being "Trail Rated" & therefore builds each component in the drivetrain to withstand the WORST CASE Scenario. Jeep's reputation depends on any Jeep vehicle facing the worst an owner can dish out & pulling through unharmed. The Diesel Transfer Case is therefore built to distribute in excess of the MAXIMUM torque to the front, or rear, axle with ZERO problems. While the 420 Ft/Lbs of the 6.1 Hemi is more than the 376 Ft/Lbs of the Diesel it should still be within the maximum parameters of the Case's design. Also the rear differential in the SRT8 is a DANA unit that will hold up to WAY more than the 6.1 can throw at it.

To ARH 1956: thanks for your info, they were very useful. I think I will order one. Thanks also to evrybodi that replied.