HP Ratings for RTLO16913A

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by harmin5288, Mar 29, 2013.

  1. harmin5288

    harmin5288 Bobtail Member

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    Hi Guys,


    I was wondering how much hp I can tune my c15 up to without destroying the trans. I know this is a weird question because we know that the 16913a can handle up to 1650ft/lbs, but I couldn't find out what HP produces what torque....

    like 475 @ 1650 right now is what its rated (waiting for dyno); can it go to 500, 525, 550 and stay under 1650; at what point will the engine jump above that torque rating, or is that something that you flash and then dyno; and reflash if necessary?

    also, even if the that trans is rated for 1650, do you guys think that the trans/drive line/rears can handle more; its just their advised number...as long as you are not on the floor in low range....? Also, something sticker-ed from the factory at 475hp with 1650ft/lbs will generally be lower....like 85-90% of those figures on a dyno...Yes No?

    I want to get the most out of my setup without replacing parts.


    Also would it be better to flash the ecm for more HP and then go to PDI for stage one or just take it straight to PDI? The reason I ask is lets say that I go to dealer to rate it up to 525 and it right at 1650ft/lbs and then go to PDI for stage 1, that too will increase HP and torque and that may put me over the limit???


    Again, right now it was advertised as 475hp and the torque figure i'm taking off the transmission model and that's at 1650
     
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  3. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    Hp is an indicator of how FAST you can do the work. Torque is an indicator of how strong it will work.

    That's why you will only find a torque rating.
     
  4. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    how much hp do ya want? had a 16913 in a truck with 700hp never ripped it out with over 1 mil miles on it. it is how you drive it that counts.
     
  5. Autocar

    Autocar Road Train Member

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    Transmissions are rated for torque, not horsepower. How, did they survive the 1693 Cats, V-8 Cats, V-12 Detroits, KTTA Cummins and NTC Cummins with the screws turned to them? Never stomped on them in the low side and drove them like your family jewels were stuck under the throttle pedal.
     
    JIMROY, snowblind and rollin coal Thank this.
  6. Flightline

    Flightline Road Train Member

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    13 speed eaton is rated for 1650
    18 speed is rated for 1850 torque
    You can convert your 13 to an 18 speed but that won't change the rating of the lower gears.
    Yes it is how hard you drive it, but do you have a guage or a way of telling how hard your pulling that long steep grade. Or especially when taking off up an onramp but don't want to get in the way of the two trucks coming down the interstate.
    Most reputable dealers won't crank up the ECM higher than the 1650.
     
  7. Autocar

    Autocar Road Train Member

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    The number of gears has no bearing on the torque. The numbers before the number of gears, is your torque rating on an Eaton Roadranger transmission. An RT-915 was 900 lb/ft, an RTO-9515 was 950 lb/ft. Both were 15 speeds, with the RTO being an overdrive. Now, we have the RTLO series, but the same applies, the first digits being the torque rating, the last digits being the number of gears. You can concievably throw a modern 650 Cat infront of an old RT915 and have the transmission survive, but you would have to be real light footed, especially in the bottom side, or you'll be calling NASA for tracking of the transmission as it is on its way to the moon!

    If you have a turbo boost guage, you can easily tell how hard you are pulling. The higher the boost, the harder it is pulling.
     
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  8. snowman_w900

    snowman_w900 Road Train Member

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    theres not a whole lot of difference from a 1650, 1850 or 2050 series transmission. the countershaft bearings on the 1650s are smaller in diameter and the the bearing bores in the case for the countershaft bearings are smaller to accommodate for the smaller bearings. on 18 series and 20 series, the only real difference are gear hardness codes.

    i agree with the above statments from autocar and superhauler. it all depends how you drive and how heavy you haul as to how long will last. headset gears or countershaft bearings are where the failure will occur if one does.
     
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  9. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    All of them? Because I'm pretty sure I've seen 18 torque 13 speeds.
     
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  10. snowman_w900

    snowman_w900 Road Train Member

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    your right. theres rtlo series 13 speed raitings are anywhere from 1450 to 2250 torque. not all 13 speeds are 1650. and not all 18 speeds are 1850. number of speeds has nothing to do with torque ratings as autocar said eariler.
     
  11. Gasienica

    Gasienica Heavy Load Member

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    You can put a 1850tq clutch in or 2050tq. You can even order a clutch from lipe with more tq rating or get a custom one built to handle a hella more. Forgot the spline count on the shaft of a 16913A if its 11 or 14 spline. That takes care of the clutch part. The bearing size and metal hardness is next problem. You'll have the clamping force of the clutch but your bearing sizes and metal harness differs so just be easy with it. Just cause the engine can pull the hill and not over heat doenst mean the rest of driveline can with out over heating. Watch your trans and rear end temps. Don't drag race of lights and roll into throttle after shift and not mash on it.
     
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