Gen III Hemi on a budget

[soundcontrol]

I got champange taste and a beer budget (my wife says..). What I really want is a Gen III 426 Hemi with a blower, but thats probabbly 25-30k if done right. What if I start with just a standard 6.1, get it working in my car, and later take it apart, do a stroker kit and maybe change trannys etc, got a 727 for now. Whats an approx cost for this including a new tank with pump and all electronics/harness etc. (all I need, plus a decent engine). Can I get by with 7-8k maybe? Is a 6.1 the best choise if I later wanna stroke it?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

What's your end goal?

A Hemi swap can certainly be done for your price range, but a stock 6.1 alone will eat up more than half of your intended budget. Where I'm spending all of my money on the transmission, my basic 5.7L [non-Eagle with just a cam, headers, tune] should be good for solid mid-12's with substantial drivability. Once the initial expense of the swap is leveled out, adding horsepower is merely a weekend job, heads, intake, supercharger...it's not going to take much to end up with an 11second car. For my intention, lots of street time and road course/autocross, is more than adequate.

[soundcontrol]

My end goal is a stroker with a blower, (under the hood) and a good OD automatic tranny, for now I can use the 727. Don't wanna have the car in pieces for years though, wanna enjoy it for the summers. I don't mind getting the engine out in the winters, I like doing the work and upgrades etc. Just street use, although autocross look like a lot of fun...wouldn't mind trying that.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

My end goal is a stroker with a blower, (under the hood) and a good OD automatic tranny, for now I can use the 727. Don't wanna have the car in pieces for years though, wanna enjoy it for the summers. I don't mind getting the engine out in the winters, I like doing the work and upgrades etc. Just street use, although autocross look like a lot of fun...wouldn't mind trying that.

Do you have a target measure of performance you are after? Horsepower? 1/4 mile time? ...Or no matter how fast or slow it is, as long as it is a stroker and has a blower, you're happy?

Most any upgraded Hemi AOD is going to require some pretty significant trans tunnel work, along with torsion bar crossmember work..which could push you into coilovers as well. I'm not sure what your comfort level is on that type of work, but it's something to consider.

[soundcontrol]

Stroker/blower is a good combo for torque, I like a lot of that. Between 5-600 HP would make me happy, I can do that without a blower but, I just would like one anyways. (In the future, maybe not right now) My friend got a Shelby GT500 with a blower, its brutal. Don't wanna go coilovers, I just made the decision to do my whole front suspension modified stock, got everything from Firmfeel, building it now, I also don't wanna change the trans tunnel too much, a little bit is OK, I know I have to modify the tranny mount, but the T-bar crossmember will be stock. For money reasons right now I can use my 727 for a few years though. Whats the best engine to get? 5.7, 6.1 or 6.4? I was thinking the 6.1.

[soundcontrol]

Just saw an ad for a 2006 SRT8 6.1 engine with automatic tranny for $8500, is that a fair price? (I pay about 30-35% more than the US prices here). Gas and brake pedals, shifter and electrical harness w. box included. Why brake pedal?And what model of tranny was used in 2006? Just got a picture from the seller (he does not know what it is), is that a NAG1 Tranny? No slip yoke, hmm...

(moved this post from my resto-thread to this one)

[moparman82]

I would get a junkyard 5.7.  Get a low compressions 392 stroker assembly from arrington engines, would still make 450 or so, then u add the supercharger, then u make your 600hp, and it's still reliable

[soundcontrol]

OK, it's a NAG1, been Googling all day here. And it seems way to complicated with all computers and sensors etc needed. A 5.7 is an option, have one available, but from what I read the 6.1 is better. maybe I should just take a bankloan, get a crate engine with everything needed from a company who does swaps... It all seems very complicated now and its hard to find info.


My plan was to do the engine swap first, use my old 727 until I decide on a tranny. Now Bouchillon tells me I need to make up my mind on a tranny now, I can not swap trannys later, or I need new computers and harness (true??). What if I go from a 727 to a A518?

[twoterpilot]

OK, it's a NAG1, been Googling all day here. And it seems way to complicated with all computers and sensors etc needed. A 5.7 is an option, have one available, but from what I read the 6.1 is better. maybe I should just take a bankloan, get a crate engine with everything needed from a company who does swaps... It all seems very complicated now and its hard to find info.


My plan was to do the engine swap first, use my old 727 until I decide on a tranny. Now Bouchillon tells me I need to make up my mind on a tranny now, I can not swap trannys later, or I need new computers and harness (true??). What if I go from a 727 to a A518?
[/q

The same computer and harness for the 727, a518, and manual transmission. with these trannys all the computer is doing is running the engine.

[soundcontrol]

The same computer and harness for the 727, a518, and manual transmission. with these trannys all the computer is doing is running the engine.

Thanks! Thats sounds promising. Then I actually could proceed with my plan to change the tranny later.

[johns cuda shop]

There is a 3G hemi swap group on Facebook. Lots of guys doing different hemi swaps with all kinds of budgets . It might be worth your while to join... https://www.facebook.com/groups/750056585062561/

[soundcontrol]

There is a 3G hemi swap group on Facebook. Lots of guys doing different hemi swaps with all kinds of budgets . It might be worth your while to join... https://www.facebook.com/groups/750056585062561/

Thanks, I am a member there, most of those guys are really advanced. I think I got most of the engine part down, what needed etc. The tranny on the other hand.... I think I will stay with my 727 and later go to a 518, that seems to be an easy change, so I can avoid cutting up the car.

[Haddixj]

There is a member here and on moparts nstgl1970 he has a blue aar clone that he is in the process of doing a gen 3  swap he was running a 518 I believe try to pm him or search for him.

[Katfish]

Whatever you do please document everything.
I already did the 518 swap and love it.

Next step is the Gen III Hemi.

[soundcontrol]

Whatever you do please document everything.
I already did the 518 swap and love it.

Next step is the Gen III Hemi.

Yes, will do that. What Hemi are you gonna get?