Gen III Hemi on a budget

[Rolling_Thunder]

I have about $4500 in my entire swap - 6.1L, flywheel, bellhousing, wiring, PCM, mounts, FEAD, and headers....     

It can be done...    be frugal, look for deals,

[soundcontrol]

Wow, you must have gotten a superdeal on the engine, I cant find anything under 5k. My swap is gonna cost me at least 10k. I also pay about 30-40% more because I'm in Sweden, shipping, custom fees and a 25% sales tax.

[Katfish]

I've learned though experience take your initial estimate and double it.
Most people don't keep track of the details.  Like most things, the last 10% is 90% of the effort.
As an example, after reading all the 518 swap threads, the typical cost stated was ~$1500.
I kept very detailed track of everything I had to do and spend, cost was $2500.

[3D]

I agree, it can be done, this is what I'm in so far.
1) Rolling Chassis (no cab) 2004 Dodge Ram w/5.7 Hemi & 545RFE trans - $600.00
2) Cab to test drive truck - $500.00
3) Numerous PCM, steering columns, gauges to get truck running - $500.00
4) Motor Mounts - $500.00
5) 545RFE 2 wheel drive tail shaft - $125.00
6) Exhaust manifolds - $125.00
7) 6.1 Intake - $500.00

So far I'm in around $2,850.00 and still need a drive shaft (might be able to cut down the Ram drive shaft).
I'll be able to sell lots of Ram parts (Cab, frame, rims/tires, diff's) once I'm done and running so ill get a little money back there. hope to be in for under $3,000.00 once I'm done.....
One thing I would say is to try and find a donor vehicle for the swap. places like your local insurance auctions and http://www.copart.com can help save $$$$$.

[soundcontrol]

I just bought that engine and tranny that I was asking about here, paid around 7k, if I deduct the extra about 35% I pay over here it was around 5k for a 6.1,all accessories, NAG1, all computers, harness, brake and gas pedals. Not bad. Probably gonna use my 727 though, until I see that the NAG1 is better supported.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I've learned though experience take your initial estimate and double it.
Most people don't keep track of the details.  Like most things, the last 10% is 90% of the effort.
As an example, after reading all the 518 swap threads, the typical cost stated was ~$1500.
I kept very detailed track of everything I had to do and spend, cost was $2500.

There's some truth to that, with things like this there will definitely be a distribution of results. Some on the low end getting killer deals on everything, some on the high end buying everything brand new.

As for me, I never considered a parts vehicle, I have only heard of the headache they can be actually parting them out piece-by-piece and the time it takes to get that done. I figure project-available freetime is worth about $50/hr to me, by the time I acquired and did everything it took to get rid of a parts vehicle, I'd be a net-zero on "saving money" going that route. But that's primarily due to my limited time and finding other areas where it's just easier to pay for something. Everyone has a different situation and constraints to work around.