one experiment I always wanted to try
would be get two V10 Rams
one manual transmission
one 47/48 automatic
... and then get a (rare) 3.06 ratio Dana ring and pinion axle that could be swapped in either
Doing at least two
'convoy style' MPG tests
over 300 miles or so on the highway
on empty trucks
at a steady speed would show whether
the 'gas hog' reputation of the V10
is partly due to the overdrive ratio of the drivetrain.
After each test the 3.06 axle would be swapped to the other truck.
It never made engineering sense
that the same 0.69 ratio overdrive
used on the 3.9 V6 Rams
was also used on the 8L V10 Rams
When the Viper V10 trucks were given the 0.50 ratio top gear with the T56 manual, it made a lot more sense
The Allpar article on the 1994-2001 8L iron V10 is a good read:
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/V10.htmlnotice that they emphasize how they designed-in 1200 rpm Torque capability
sample quote
"Resonance in the 25-inch primary runners enhanced low speed torque, with peak torque as low as 1200 rpm."
end quote
Yet at normal highway speeds
with a 0.69/3.55 ratio drivetrain
you can't make use of that low rpm torque to improve light load cruise?
Dang it, I just jinxed myself. 
