98 ram Hemi swap

98hemi-ram · Jun 19, 2013

I'm new on here but just wanted to share the build of my 98 ram 1500 that I started back in February. I spent almost a year doing as much research as I could on this kind of swap as well as gathering up a list of parts for the build.

Here's my truck as it sat before the swap started

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371614922.527079.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371614933.221897.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371615029.228793.jpg

And here's a couple pics of the Hemi when I picked it up.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371615070.814564.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371615088.886364.jpg

98hemi-ram · Jun 19, 2013

And the Hemi after the 6.1 springs, and pushrods and comp 260 cam was installed. As well as a good cleaning and new paint job.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371615864.668949.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371615824.956217.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371615957.847851.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371615888.512225.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371615904.555347.jpg

98hemi-ram · Jun 19, 2013

Out with the old 5.9 magnum and in with the 5.7 Hemi for a test fit

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371616032.679065.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371616108.281393.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371616136.728393.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371616268.771125.jpg

I used the stock motor mounts from the 2wd Hemi and they actually fit right into my 98's original frame mount. Now the motor sat way to high so I just used the die grinder to notch the frame mount deeper and level the motor out (sat about an 1" higher on one side)

98hemi-ram · Jun 19, 2013

Then I pulled the motor back out and cleaned the hell outta the engine bay!! I cleaned and painted everything in the engine bay before anything went back in.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371616816.425583.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371616921.926148.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371617014.919062.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371617100.913479.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371617138.150444.jpg

98hemi-ram · Jun 19, 2013

Motor was then reinstalled and I installed the new custom wiring harnesses that were built by Chris at Hotwire auto. He does very good work on the harness and can build them to go into just about anything.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371617256.093120.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371617583.630486.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371617615.448994.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371617662.442796.jpg

98hemi-ram · Jun 19, 2013

I built a custom mount for my 2 14" flex-a-lite electric fans. I built it to mount inside my old fan shroud so I could keep my stock washer and coolant overflow bottles.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371617910.648028.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371617931.452857.jpg

We trimmed the shroud for more clearance from the motor. Since it was super close.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371618003.184394.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371618094.682034.jpg

98hemi-ram · Jun 19, 2013

I also installed a dual gauge pod on the pillar with an AEM wideband and tranny temp gauge.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371618276.884003.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371618299.723476.jpg

Added a manifold in the tranny line for the sensor.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371618373.867256.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371618393.899456.jpg

98hemi-ram · Jun 19, 2013

Oh I also had to upgrade to a 01-02 Dakota gauge cluster since it runs on the same PCM bus system as the Hemi where my 98 gauges do not so they would not work.

The Dakota gauges fit perfectly into my dash but did require some rewiring to be done. (Thanks to Chris at Hotwire for helping me through that)

Top is old cluster bottom is new Dakota cluster

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371618742.046301.jpg

Here it is installed

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371618804.302099.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371618826.277615.jpg

98hemi-ram · Jun 19, 2013

Got my driveshaft fixed up so it will work with the new tranny

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371618907.258848.jpg

Right now the truck is at the exhaust shop waiting to get the tailpipes hooked back up to the new motor. Once that is done I need to finish filling up the rest of the fluids then ill be attempting a first start.

That will hopefully be this weekend or next weekend at the latest.

HolyRamBatman · Jun 19, 2013

Damn you have spent some time on that. I was wondering if a Hemi would change out with a 360 mag. Nice work.

jimdd810 · Jun 19, 2013

Nice!

Chewy · Jun 19, 2013

Well done! I always just take the easy route and have the mfg. do it for me! lol

98hemi-ram · Jun 19, 2013

HolyRamBatman said:
Damn you have spent some time on that. I was wondering if a Hemi would change out with a 360 mag. Nice work.

Thanks and ya I can't even count the hours I've put into it the last few months lol. It's been a ton of work but to me it will be worth it when it's done.

I knew the swap had to be possible since I've seen in done on quite a few Dakota's. It's far from being a straight bolt in swap though. Although I must say there was quite a few things that were easier than I'd expected them to be

Chewy said:
Well done! I always just take the easy route and have the mfg. do it for me! lol

Thanks and that definitely is the easier route for sure!! Lol. I was originally just going to stroke the 360 but kinda wanted to do something different that you don't see everyday. So the Hemi went in!!

PCA4208 · Jun 19, 2013

Nice work dude! I just saw a hemi put into a duster at a car show. He used the msd ignition, and some way to out a carb on there.

Texas Hemi · Jun 19, 2013

Excellent job on the write-up/photos!! Great project, can't wait to see it come along.

98hemi-ram · Jun 19, 2013

PCA4208 said:
Nice work dude! I just saw a hemi put into a duster at a car show. He used the msd ignition, and some way to out a carb on there.

Ya I've seen and read about Hemi swaps into all kinds of stuff. People will put them into just about anything you can think of now! Lol

Texas Hemi said:
Excellent job on the write-up/photos!! Great project, can't wait to see it come along.

Thanks man and if my exhaust guy ever gets the exhaust done ill be able to get back to work on the truck. It's been at his shop for a week but he's been crazy busy (and far behind) lately.

BAILEY1 · Jun 19, 2013

Nice job! Thanks for all the pics.

98hemi-ram · Jun 21, 2013

Picked the truck up from the exhaust shop tonight. Took longer than I'd hoped but it turned out good.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371791098.235018.jpg

Found out my driveshaft is about 2 1/4" to short so it looks like ill be getting a whole new driveshaft after all.

Also picked up a ratchet shifter off a friend of mine. This will solve my problem of connecting the column shifter to the tranny, while also adding another "cool" factor to the truck!!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371791406.966850.jpg

98hemi-ram · Jun 23, 2013

Had the first start about half an hour ago!! Fired right up first try!! Will post the vids when I get home!!

So pumped right now. Such a good feeling (and relief) to hear it start!!!

98hemi-ram · Jun 23, 2013

Still waiting on the new driveshaft to be done on Monday/Tuesday. And need to install the ratchet shifter then ill finally get to take it for a test drive!!

98 ram Hemi swap

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Attachments

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page