What to do with my Hellcat Gladiator

[Lunentucker]

Sounds like you have all of the parts. They're just not put together quite right.
So find a reputable shop that will take it all apart and put it back together.
$20k?
That takes it out of the stupid good deal category and gets it back to where it belongs.
Or it could just burn up ??‍

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[AmosMoses]

It could be something simple to tune. Just find a good shop and have your butler drop it off for you

 

[FREEZE451]

If I was in your position, I would get it fixed.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Please tell us this is a business expense that can be written off.

You got this thing for work right and now it’s all broken!

 

[cmb396]

Please tell us this is a business expense that can be written off.

You got this thing for work right and now it’s all broken!

This is so funny! We own our own business, and I literally say this about everything "toy" related to my wife!!

OP, "if it's too good to be true...", you know how the rest goes.
I would seek out a shop and iron the tuning out first. Get the thing running correctly. If it's truly tuning causing the drivability, that's generally a pretty easy fix for some who is experienced!
See what that's gonna take, get that corrected, then worry about the tons, and anything else.
If it requires a complete redo, then ya gotta ask if the juice is worth the squeeze bc you'd most likely be upside down on the truck, if that matters?!

 

[Lunentucker]

All you gotta do is slap one of those magnetic signs on the door. Boom! Business vehicle!

 

[Minty JL]

Yup, transfer ownership of the vehicle to the business (LLC/ C Corp / S Corp)....then write it off under Section 179. Vehicle Maintenance is also a business expense.

 

[Newlife]

I’ll agree with what others have said. I’d start with a new pcm that is tuned or can be tuned for what is done. Then handle the exhaust issue, and finally tons if you’re set on keeping it. Sounds like and I’m not a mechanic but a good chunk of the issue lies in that locked pcm.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Yup, transfer ownership of the vehicle to the business (LLC/ C Corp / S Corp)....then write it off under Section 179. Vehicle Maintenance is also a business expense.

You need business income to be able to use a section 179 deduction.

 

[Klicht87]

If I had the money, I would do a hellcat conversion but I don't. Seeing as you got a good deal, like everyone else said, get it diagnosed first and see what that looks like. Then come back and tell us what the problem was and what you went with.

 

[Minty JL]

You need business income to be able to use a section 179 deduction.

That is true. If you're in business I hope you have income lol. With Section you can write it off with a one time deduction or over a 5 year period.

 

[Johnny3]

I cant thank you guys enough for the input. Since a few of you asked, you can see the truck, and the price on BaT where I have the same user name.

To clarify - the actual parts work well. I drove this, as is from NC to CT. This isn't a hardware problem (aside from exhaust being non- compliant) its a software problem. With the benefit of hindsight, and discussions with the tuner/AMW, I realized that this particular kit is using a JT ECM and several "work arounds" to fool it. That works for a 6.4 but the supercharged engines, while physically bullet proof, rely heavily on the computer and its inputs to run properly.

I COULD try harder to follow up with the builder and get a new ECM... but @TroutFishingInAmerica is right, I DON'T trust this tune/build at all after weeks and $ to diagnose. I like what @PlayfulBird is suggesting (going back to them first) but, even if I fix whats there it still leaves me with a "daily driver" without emissions equipment installed on it. Im not a stickler for emissions rules but I want to have my daily legally registered...

After discussion with AMW, I realize their conversion uses a TRX ECM which, along with some fuel/sensor/air flow parts that the other kit didn't come with, SHOULD make this truck factory reliable and 50-state compliant. And, yes, it should have had Tons on it from the beginning (6.4 you're ok but Hellcat you need more than D44s).

Am I answering my own question? probably... thanks to your input. Now you guys can follow my journey. Incidentally, the auction lists the builder. If anyone else has thoughts or feedback from experiences with them or AMW, please chime in!

 

[JTPatriot]

I find myself in a bit of a situation...

It doesn't start well, it kinda has a mind of its own on throttle, it has huge power delivery problems (under partial throttle acceleration > 3000rpm), the transmission shift points are really inconsistent and terrible for the street. It cruises the highway at 75mph GREAT, but thats not what I bought it for.

The (nationally recognized) shop that did the conversion briefly answered a first email but has failed to respond to follow up emails and several calls. I am still in touch with the seller, he's great, no issues there. He wasn't really up front about how poorly this is running but it was cheap and its not his car anymore - no biggie.

I took the Gladiator to a shop by me, well known for dyno tuning Hellcats, LTA/LT4s... they said they had never seen anything like this. There is no emissions equipment on the car (no cats - I think they were resonators, no oxygen sensors.... etc), the tune on the JT ECU is locked and the fuel system is sort of 'tricked'. The ECU thinks its a 5.7L (according to the tuners) and/or at times a 3.6L; at no time does it think its a supercharged 6.2L.

First off if it has no oxygen sensors it has no way of metering the air fuel ratios and will never run right. Secondly, if it does not have the tune for the 6.2 it will not adjust for boost and its relationship to timing and air/fuel etc.

Not sure if the PCM can be unlocked if the tuner locked it, probably can by a company like HPtuners. Or you order a new blank PCM from the factory for your jeeps year and model and have a dealership flash it with your Vin's original operating system, then have it unlocked and the correct operating system loaded for the hellcat engine by, say AMW if they will. If they correct all the other issues that PCM flashing will be provided by them.

PCM has to have the correct operating system in it. "Tricking it" will never work. You can run without cats but the PCM has to know that and just using some high flow cats and keeping all O2 sensors makes life easier.

Good luck, hope you can get it ironed out.


Took me to long to write this LOL. I see you have talked more with AMW and what they use.

 

[willhonkforparts]

1) "What to do with my Hellcat Gladiator" is internet forum goals, and you're flexing ALL OVER us. We'll played. I'm very jealous. But, your doesn't have a cool muffled turbo or diesel sound, so I do have that at least (see? I can flex too)

2) @PlayfulBird had the best idea. Get as much info as you can from the builder, then get it properly tuned. You can try to go after the builder for money etc but it's likely a dead end. You're better off reaching out and just saying you want to do some more work to it, but need a better understanding of what's in it now. Bees, honey, and whatnot.

And

3) The axles are really up to you and what you plan in doing with it. Big tires, wheeling, towing heavy, all indicate it should probably have tons. Daily driving on reasonable tires, and really you could get away with beefing up the front axle and putting a D60 under the rear.

 

[Deleted member 24880]

Yes you got a helluva deal on this. Shit i have seen dealer modified Gladiators they are asking more for w/o a motor swap. Get it fixed and love it until you dont. You will still be on the right side of its value IMO a year or two from now. Just my $0.02.

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