Hemi 5.7 or 6.1
 

Now that I am done with my mods for now, I want to save for a hemi swap in say 4 yrs. I have a 07 2dr standard. I want to remain as a standard. I have a 44 back and a pro rock 44 front. I will most likely go to a dana 60 in the back at the time of the swap. Now where did you's guys out there get your motor and transmission from or did you get a crate engine and transmission new. What vehicle did you search for , for your hemi? Any info would be helpful. If I find a hemi now ,what do I do to it to lay it up for a couple of yrs? I like the look of the 6.1 as to the 5.7 with the plastic top cover. I would start amassing parts as I go and when In have all the parts its go time. Thanks for your replies.

I've done a fair amount of research and it was fairly consistant- If you're a wheeler and really use your rig, go 5.7. If you're a street guy, go 6.1. The torque level of the 5.7 is lower in the RPM band and is more appropriate for off road use than the 6.1.

Your best off getting the new 5.7vvt , it's supposed to be closer to the 6.1 then the older 5.7 , I read this somewhere on AEV forum ,

AEV recommends the 5.7vvt over the 6.1...... I think when we're ready we'll do the 6.4.

get the biggest hemi u can get, which is the 7.2L, you only live once right :rock:

I read somewhere and the guy said that the 5.7 had plenty of power and didn't regret it. He said that the 6.1 would have been overkill, but then again anything is better than the 3.8.

When I installed my 6.1 a couple years ago a 5.7 VVT was not available. I still prefer it over the regular 5.7.

I have been very satisfied with the 6.1, it has been problem free and it has enough low end torque to destroy the tires at a standstill, and enough in 4-lo to want to idle over new brakes. So its all kind of relative I guess.:wink: How much more ya need?

That said, if I were to do it today, I would put in a 5.7 VVT. It has a few less horsepower but the variable timing at low end should give you loads of torque across the RPM range and maybe a little better economy. Another reason would be that it is a better match to the RFE545 if you go auto tranny.

I would not put in a new model 6.4 without dana 60's at the same time! Isn't that like 500 ponies?

Just my 2 cents.

So it sounds like the new 5.7 vvt engine is the way to go. I am sticking with a standard tranny. I guess I would have to change the T-case for something to match the hemi tranny set up. The aev harnesses , are they compatible with the new hemi vvt ? So now where would I look for this hemi. What models would have it. Also I guess I would look for hemi and standard tranny setup together. Where would you get a crate engine from ?

I'm keeping my eyes open for one from a writeoff. SGI (Saskatchewan gov't Insurance) has weekly online auctions. Ram 1500, low km hail damage or body damage as long as the front is okay. Would be a road trip for you.

www.sgi.sk.ca

So if you do go with an auto 5.7, do you get a slap shift for gears like I have in my WK? I'm guessing the tranny has this option for are the "electronic" shift options not available.