The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap

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    Author Topic: The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap  (Read 6626 times)

    Offline MoparDealer1971

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    The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap
    « on: June 25, 2012 - 05:36:54 PM »
    Hello all!  First post outside of my newb hello post.  I am planning to do a 5.7L swap to my 71.  Right now it has the stock 318 w/904 trans.  I am considering many different options and I have started to look hard at the 5.7L truck engine and trans to get the extra gears for fuel economy.  Does anyone have a good how-to on the net for what is needed to do this swap as affordable as possible?  I have read things about using the car front cover for more attractive accessory placemen.  I have read things about different oem vs. performance oil pans. It would be nice just to find a good writeup to follow in my search.  I plan to buy a 2wd truck to take the driveline from and part the rest to try to cover part of the costs.  I figure a 2wd hemi truck with miles should be easy to get cheap at this point.  Let me know what you guys think!  I am not going for big hp.  I just want easy driving EFI, modern turn key performance.
    « Last Edit: June 29, 2012 - 11:26:52 AM by MoparDealer1971 »
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    1971 Dodge Challenger - 2010 Plum Crazy Pearl, 318 4-bbl, 904, 2.5in Pypes Performance X-pipe exhaust, Hemi torsion bars, 2in rear drop springs, Hellwig Motorsports sway bars, 11.75in Drilled/Slotted front brakes


    Offline MoparDealer1971

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    Re: The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap
    « Reply #1 on: June 29, 2012 - 10:40:32 AM »
    Wow, the silence is deafening.  I have been doing a lot of looking and no one really seems to have a one stop shop for everything you need.  I bet there would be money in a kit that included everything you needed, just ad 5.7L engine from truck or car and buy the kit.  Looking at the Mopar crate 6.1L with EMS I can get from Chrysler but I would still need a better trans, cooling, and all the little stuff.  Anyone out there want to comment on their swap?  Basic run-down on how you did it?  I am still thinking the cheapest way is going to be to buy a 2wd truck with a 100-150k mile Hemi and 4 or 5 speed automatic.  My 318 tachs 3200rpm going 70mph so extra gears would be a blessing.  Then I would need a stand-alone EMS and TCM setup, mounts, headers, and a drive shaft.  No one talks about driveshafts but I assume you need one when you swap. (???)
    « Last Edit: June 29, 2012 - 11:27:06 AM by MoparDealer1971 »
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    1971 Dodge Challenger - 2010 Plum Crazy Pearl, 318 4-bbl, 904, 2.5in Pypes Performance X-pipe exhaust, Hemi torsion bars, 2in rear drop springs, Hellwig Motorsports sway bars, 11.75in Drilled/Slotted front brakes

    Offline thedodgeboys

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    Re: The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap
    « Reply #2 on: June 29, 2012 - 12:33:33 PM »
    I think everyone is out enjoying there cars its only been 4 days  :bigsmile:

    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=41617.msg857559#msg857559

    check these guys out they have almost everything
    http://bouchillonperformance.com/61LHemi.asp

    and Modern Muscle
    http://www.modern-muscle.com/

    and lots of info here
    http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?board=54.0

    5k minimum install...
    Enjoy  :working:
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    Offline Travis72

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    Re: The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap
    « Reply #3 on: June 29, 2012 - 03:38:20 PM »
    If you really want to do it on the cheap then you could always go with a carb.  That probably knocks 2 - 3k off the price of the swap.  Otherwise either Bouchillon or Modern Muscle can set you up with everything you need.  Both of their websites offer good info on the swap.

    Also a number of us have done the swap and there are quite a few threads in the Restoration forum documenting the build ups.

    Travis
    72 Cuda


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    Offline ragtopdodge

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    Re: The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap
    « Reply #4 on: June 29, 2012 - 07:57:27 PM »
    I don't think you'll want the trans.

    Best to get a non-computer-controlled transmission.  Either keep the 904, get a 727, or a 518 four-speed, or a Keisler conversion, or go manual.

    Not cheap, but I think the August issue of Mopar Action has info on a wiring kit that may help reduce costs.

    http://nutterracingengines.com/hemitronix/hemitronix_background.html

    But I dunno, the MA article says it's $2500 for the harness and Delphi ECU?  Maybe that includes the throttle body and fuel pump; dunno.  Not sure how that compares to other outfits like FAST, Bouchillon, AEM, etc.

    I think the Bouchillon harness and ECU costs $3k.
    « Last Edit: June 29, 2012 - 08:16:00 PM by ragtopchally »
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    Offline diyhemi.com

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    The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap
    « Reply #5 on: June 29, 2012 - 08:17:08 PM »
    I have a copy of engine swap magazine that has a full writeup on exactly what you are looking for. It lists 4 different ways to swap in a geniii hemi into an old mopar. One of which is using a factory dodge truck engine harness and computer in conjunction with a preditor handheld programmer. It maps everything out for your with options and costs. The magazine is from the same people that put out car craft.
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    Offline GreenFish

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    Re: The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap
    « Reply #6 on: July 03, 2012 - 09:21:12 AM »
    Just a suggestion. 

    If EFI is a must have and i can understand that.  And you want to keep it on the cheap.  I would use the 904 trans or a 727, then set up the 5.7 like you are going to use a carb.  Then slap on a FAST EZ EFI or system or something similar to that.
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    Offline MoparDealer1971

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    Re: The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap
    « Reply #7 on: July 03, 2012 - 03:08:52 PM »
    Quote from: GreenFish on July 03, 2012 - 09:21:12 AM
    Just a suggestion. 

    If EFI is a must have and i can understand that.  And you want to keep it on the cheap.  I would use the 904 trans or a 727, then set up the 5.7 like you are going to use a carb.  Then slap on a FAST EZ EFI or system or something similar to that.

    Would that be like a TBI type thing or is it MPI?
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    1971 Dodge Challenger - 2010 Plum Crazy Pearl, 318 4-bbl, 904, 2.5in Pypes Performance X-pipe exhaust, Hemi torsion bars, 2in rear drop springs, Hellwig Motorsports sway bars, 11.75in Drilled/Slotted front brakes

    Offline GreenFish

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    Re: The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap
    « Reply #8 on: July 05, 2012 - 08:30:04 AM »
    Quote from: MoparDealer1971 on July 03, 2012 - 03:08:52 PM
    Would that be like a TBI type thing or is it MPI?


    Its a throtte body EFI. Real easy to tune and set up.

    Check out FAST EZ EFI
    http://www.fuelairspark.com/ezefi/default.asp

    and MSD Atomic EFI
    http://www.atomicefi.com/
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    70 cuda, 440, KB pistons, 10.5:1 compression, edlebrock heads,RacerBrown cam, 5-Speed Tremec, Megasquirt EFI

    Offline 73restomod

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    Re: The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap
    « Reply #9 on: July 05, 2012 - 12:53:07 PM »
    Make sure you get a 03-09 Hemi, and try to find one from a manual. Avoid the VVT 09 and up, it'll save you some more cash.
    I just found an 04 Ram in a u-pull-it yard, I snagged the motor,  harness, and gas pedal for 265.00 plus tax. Someone else had snagged the computer, which the yard charges 35 bucks for. Only issue with the motor was some light detonation damage to the #8 piston. Other than that everything else was in perfect working order. There are some really awesome deals out there, you might have to sweat little to get them though 8)

    Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
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    Offline MoparDealer1971

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    Re: The budget PT Challenger - 5.7L swap on the cheap
    « Reply #10 on: July 05, 2012 - 01:58:44 PM »
    Quote from: 73restomod on July 05, 2012 - 12:53:07 PM
    Make sure you get a 03-09 Hemi, and try to find one from a manual. Avoid the VVT 09 and up, it'll save you some more cash.
    I just found an 04 Ram in a u-pull-it yard, I snagged the motor,  harness, and gas pedal for 265.00 plus tax. Someone else had snagged the computer, which the yard charges 35 bucks for. Only issue with the motor was some light detonation damage to the #8 piston. Other than that everything else was in perfect working order. There are some really awesome deals out there, you might have to sweat little to get them though 8)

    Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

    Wow that is cheap as hell.  Thanks for the responses guys.
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    1971 Dodge Challenger - 2010 Plum Crazy Pearl, 318 4-bbl, 904, 2.5in Pypes Performance X-pipe exhaust, Hemi torsion bars, 2in rear drop springs, Hellwig Motorsports sway bars, 11.75in Drilled/Slotted front brakes
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