Swap Compilation

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

mwclarksr

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Posts
116
Reaction score
33
Location
Mooresville, Indiana
Ram Year
2002
Engine
4.7L - 287cid
So after getting quite a few hits while searching this forum for 4.7 to Hemi swap, I want to compile it into a few answered questions. I know that, @Hemi Lonestar, is very knowledgeable when it comes to many things Mopar from all the posts I have read in both the 2nd gen & 3rd gen sections. There are others that chime in, but what it comes down to is that the OP that wants to swap from a 4.7 to a Hemi either changes their mind and go for a different year of Hemi or goes off the rail and opts for a custom engine build.

As for me, I just got my '02 about 3 weeks ago. I'm keeping it for 3 years until my 50th b-day when I order a truck that I want. Where I will then give this '02 to my youngest son. The body is in really good shape for being repaired after a front right accident, a few dings here and there, a dent in the drivers door a-pillar, and needs a new Flame Red paint job. The 4.7 is around 211k as with everything else. I'm currently replacing the jump seat/center console because the inside of the center console is disgusting, and I have a replacement seat foam for the driver's side. A new headliner is needed (Cigarette burns) and other odds 'n ins.

Now, back to the engine. From what I have read, is it true that all that I need is to make sure that I have a Hemi Engine Wire Harness (and ECM) from a '02 or '03, and I could plug it into a '02 - 05 Hemi? And that any other year wire harness will not work because of the firewall connection is not the same?

I'm not going to change my mind, I am going to get a used Hemi, get it rebuilt with a mild performance upgrade and mate it with a performance upgraded transmission.
 
Last edited:

HemiLonestar

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Posts
5,991
Reaction score
2,952
Location
MD
Ram Year
2016
Engine
5.7 hemi
I know a few things lol, but thanks for the compliment. By the way, I have a jump seat I don't need (doing a console swap), quad cab door panels and a brand new 02-03 steering wheel that I won't need anymore (doing an 04-08 wheel swap) if you're interested. As for the swap:
Now, back to the engine. From what I have read, is it true that all that I need is to make sure that I have a Hemi Engine Wire Harness (and ECM) from a '02 or '03, and I could plug it into a '02 - 05 Hemi? And that any other year wire harness will not work because of the firewall connection is not the same?

I'm not going to change my mind, I am going to get a used Hemi, get it rebuilt with a mild performance upgrade and mate it with a performance upgraded transmission.

I was going to suggest investigating the possibility of using 08+ top end on your 4.7, which could possibly give you 310hp or more, plus the availability of a supercharger (Cobra mustang Eaton) adapter manifold for 4.7's.
So hemi swap. There is no 2002 hemi so no harness to grab from one lol. Earliest is 2003. Easiest would be the 03 ECM/TCM/harness swap but also the absolute worst if you ever want to be able to tune it. I have heard of people running a hemi on a 4.7 ECM but cannot personally verify. 05 combined PCM would be better all around for tuning purposes but a little harder to do. 03 doesn't use EGR and only has one cat (only two O2 sensors), also the APPS (e-pedal) system is very different from 04+. 04-05+ has EGR and uses two cats (so four O2 sensors); 06-08 has EGR, two cats and MDS in the half ton 5.7's. Shoot an email or call Chris at hotwireauto.com, they've done a few of these. You could get a harness made and have them do the coil connectors while they're at it and you could convert to an 06+ coil setup (get rid of the wires).
 
OP
OP
mwclarksr

mwclarksr

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Posts
116
Reaction score
33
Location
Mooresville, Indiana
Ram Year
2002
Engine
4.7L - 287cid
I know a few things lol, but thanks for the compliment. By the way, I have a jump seat I don't need (doing a console swap), quad cab door panels and a brand new 02-03 steering wheel that I won't need anymore (doing an 04-08 wheel swap) if you're interested.

Thank you, but I already have a replacement Console/Jumpseat. And I myself am looking into getting the same year of wheel that you are doing. I am looking for one with the radio controls, plus the wheel just looks so much better

As for the swap:
I was going to suggest investigating the possibility of using 08+ top end on your 4.7, which could possibly give you 310hp or more, plus the availability of a supercharger (Cobra mustang Eaton) adapter manifold for 4.7's.
So hemi swap. There is no 2002 hemi so no harness to grab from one lol. Earliest is 2003. Easiest would be the 03 ECM/TCM/harness swap but also the absolute worst if you ever want to be able to tune it. I have heard of people running a hemi on a 4.7 ECM but cannot personally verify. 05 combined PCM would be better all around for tuning purposes but a little harder to do. 03 doesn't use EGR and only has one cat (only two O2 sensors), also the APPS (e-pedal) system is very different from 04+. 04-05+ has EGR and uses two cats (so four O2 sensors); 06-08 has EGR, two cats and MDS in the half ton 5.7's. Shoot an email or call Chris at hotwireauto.com, they've done a few of these. You could get a harness made and have them do the coil connectors while they're at it and you could convert to an 06+ coil setup (get rid of the wires).

I don't have the APPS system, i don't think, so it looks like I would need the '04-'05 and then get the exhaust redone adding a 2nd Cat. And all I would need is the ECM?
 

adamh3844

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2018
Posts
123
Reaction score
10
Location
Harrisburg, PA
Ram Year
2002
Engine
4.7l
Is it difficult to swap steering wheels with a newer year with radio controls? I discussed this with someone and they said you would have to replace the whole steering wheel system that it cant just be the steering wheel
 

HemiLonestar

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Posts
5,991
Reaction score
2,952
Location
MD
Ram Year
2016
Engine
5.7 hemi
Thank you, but I already have a replacement Console/Jumpseat. And I myself am looking into getting the same year of wheel that you are doing. I am looking for one with the radio controls, plus the wheel just looks so much better

I don't have the APPS system, i don't think, so it looks like I would need the '04-'05 and then get the exhaust redone adding a 2nd Cat. And all I would need is the ECM?

The 03 APPS is different than the 04+. 03 technically doesn't have an e-pedal, 04+ do. Depends on how far you wanna get into it. Hotwire can make an adapter harness for which ever setup you want to use.

Is it difficult to swap steering wheels with a newer year with radio controls? I discussed this with someone and they said you would have to replace the whole steering wheel system that it cant just be the steering wheel

From my research no, but then I found this and it clinched it: http://www.dieselram.com/showthread.php?t=200705

385423_10150979448020648_903885647_21919089_836360397_n.jpg

392912_10150979450925648_903885647_21919102_1303957372_n.jpg
 
OP
OP
mwclarksr

mwclarksr

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Posts
116
Reaction score
33
Location
Mooresville, Indiana
Ram Year
2002
Engine
4.7L - 287cid
The 03 APPS is different than the 04+. 03 technically doesn't have an e-pedal, 04+ do. Depends on how far you wanna get into it. Hotwire can make an adapter harness for which ever setup you want to use.

Hotwire is a great option, but most of my budget will be on getting the Hemi & rebuilding it and a tranny. And starting price being $1150 is not in the cards. So I have to make do with the harness I get. Speaking of, silly question here, I couldn't use my 4.7 harness, right? I know I need the ECM, what other computers do I need?

I'm older school GM when it comes to computers, 86-92 PCM was all that was ever needed, then the PROM could be flashed to what you wanted. And I'm not a big GM fan, but I know the f-bodies like the back of my hand.

As for the Steering Wheel, I have found a few entire columns from the '05 year on Craigslist near me, that I have an eyeball on.
 
OP
OP
mwclarksr

mwclarksr

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Posts
116
Reaction score
33
Location
Mooresville, Indiana
Ram Year
2002
Engine
4.7L - 287cid
Alright, it looks like I will also be changing my mind, like I didn't want too. So it seems like a real PITA to swap a Hemi into a 02. So now I have to go with what @Hemi Lonestar was going to suggest, going with an '08 4.7 top half to get 310HP. Which would put out more HP than a Hemi before '08. So now, Mr. Hemi Lonestar, I would then only have to swap ECMs and everything else should be plug 'n play, correct?
 

Demon-HeMi

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Posts
4,346
Reaction score
3,297
Location
Houston
Ram Year
2003, 2003, 2008, & 2013
Engine
(2) 5.7 HEMI, 3.7, & 3.6
The 03 APPS is different than the 04+. 03 technically doesn't have an e-pedal, 04+ do. Depends on how far you wanna get into it. Hotwire can make an adapter harness for which ever setup you want to use.


what do you mean the 03 doesn't have the electric pedal? My 03 has one, the Mfg date on my truck is 11/02, shes one of the EARLY EARLY hemi trucks
 

chrisp2493

Always Modding
Joined
Oct 30, 2016
Posts
3,006
Reaction score
1,870
Location
Warren, OH
Ram Year
2003
Engine
392 Hemi
what do you mean the 03 doesn't have the electric pedal? My 03 has one, the Mfg date on my truck is 11/02, shes one of the EARLY EARLY hemi trucks

Mine has a cable running from the gas peddle to underneath the battery box, and it changes it to an electronic signal connected to the throttle body


I Bleed Ram Trucks
 

Demon-HeMi

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Posts
4,346
Reaction score
3,297
Location
Houston
Ram Year
2003, 2003, 2008, & 2013
Engine
(2) 5.7 HEMI, 3.7, & 3.6
Mine has a cable running from the gas peddle to underneath the battery box, and it changes it to an electronic signal connected to the throttle body


I Bleed Ram Trucks

I dont remember mine doing that but ill double check
 

HemiLonestar

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Posts
5,991
Reaction score
2,952
Location
MD
Ram Year
2016
Engine
5.7 hemi
what do you mean the 03 doesn't have the electric pedal? My 03 has one, the Mfg date on my truck is 11/02, shes one of the EARLY EARLY hemi trucks

Calm your **** lol, the throttle body is the same electronic one but the pedal itself is not. They went to an actual e-pedal in 04.

Mine has a cable running from the gas peddle to underneath the battery box, and it changes it to an electronic signal connected to the throttle body

I Bleed Ram Trucks

This
 

Demon-HeMi

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Posts
4,346
Reaction score
3,297
Location
Houston
Ram Year
2003, 2003, 2008, & 2013
Engine
(2) 5.7 HEMI, 3.7, & 3.6
Calm your **** lol, the throttle body is the same electronic one but the pedal itself is not. They went to an actual e-pedal in 04.



This


lol my **** never got excited this time, lol, i could have sworn i didnt have any cables coming off my pedal on that truck but ill go double check it cause now im curious
 

HemiLonestar

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Posts
5,991
Reaction score
2,952
Location
MD
Ram Year
2016
Engine
5.7 hemi
Alright, it looks like I will also be changing my mind, like I didn't want too. So it seems like a real PITA to swap a Hemi into a 02. So now I have to go with what @Hemi Lonestar was going to suggest, going with an '08 4.7 top half to get 310HP. Which would put out more HP than a Hemi before '08. So now, Mr. Hemi Lonestar, I would then only have to swap ECMs and everything else should be plug 'n play, correct?

I love how I've never done this swap and you think I have all the answers LMAO. I have been told 08 heads will bolt on no problem and the 08 cams are comparable to HO's. Trick here is being able to fire both coils per cylinder (08+ 4.7 has two coils with two different style spark plugs, thanks Dodge lol). I don't think an 08 PCM would work in your truck because it's a combined module (you have separate ECM & TCM) designed to work with an electronic throttle body (08+ 4.7's are fly by wire as well, which is why you need an adapter to retrofit the intake manifold to an earlier 4.7) in a CAN bus vehicle (yours is PCI bus). In this case, I'd get fully dressed 08+ heads (including cams) and bolt them to the block to verify no PTV contact and clearances. If that's good, then I'd consult with hotwire about seeing if it's possible to alter harness so that both coils can be fired (otherwise there's no point using the newer heads). If that isn't viable, then a P&P on the stock heads would help, or airram sells prepped heads with P&P and bigger valves (bigger valves, more fuel and air in and out). 08, aftermarket or custom grind cams would be helpful as well. Using your style heads would negate having to figure out how to fire a secondary coil. So if it were mine, list would be (not necessarily in order):
-Gears
-Tuner
-All at once big valve heads, intake manifold, cams and custom tune

Of course, you could always go hog wild like this guy did and throw an Eaton M122 on there (airram.com has adapters to put a cobra mustang 4.6 blower on a 4.7)

TRUCK2.JPG TRUCK3.JPG
 
OP
OP
mwclarksr

mwclarksr

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Posts
116
Reaction score
33
Location
Mooresville, Indiana
Ram Year
2002
Engine
4.7L - 287cid
I love how I've never done this swap and you think I have all the answers LMAO.

I ask you because 1. your answers just about make sense 90% of the time. 2. you are almost always the only one that will take the time to read threads and answer if you have a thoughtful reply. 3. Hardly anyone else will reply.
 

HemiLonestar

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Posts
5,991
Reaction score
2,952
Location
MD
Ram Year
2016
Engine
5.7 hemi
I ask you because 1. your answers just about make sense 90% of the time. 2. you are almost always the only one that will take the time to read threads and answer if you have a thoughtful reply. 3. Hardly anyone else will reply.
Fair enough lol

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
mwclarksr

mwclarksr

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Posts
116
Reaction score
33
Location
Mooresville, Indiana
Ram Year
2002
Engine
4.7L - 287cid
Fair enough lol

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

Lol, I call it like I see it. But anyway, thank you for your information.

What it means is that, from what I have read not only on my thread but others everywhere else, because I have the first year of the 3rd gen, I will be paying out the ass. If Chrysler wanted to have everything available for the 2500 & 3500, why in the hell did they release this body style for the 1500 alone. They should have waited. Well, I'm not made of money, so I will abandon this engine swap completely. Having a 2002 sucks ass.
 

HemiLonestar

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Jun 1, 2012
Posts
5,991
Reaction score
2,952
Location
MD
Ram Year
2016
Engine
5.7 hemi
Lol, I call it like I see it. But anyway, thank you for your information.

What it means is that, from what I have read not only on my thread but others everywhere else, because I have the first year of the 3rd gen, I will be paying out the ass. If Chrysler wanted to have everything available for the 2500 & 3500, why in the hell did they release this body style for the 1500 alone. They should have waited. Well, I'm not made of money, so I will abandon this engine swap completely. Having a 2002 sucks ass.

Not much better for the 03 lol, other than having a hemi. Personally I think the Eaton install on a 4.7 would be fun.

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
194,927
Posts
2,864,183
Members
155,296
Latest member
VLG6963
Top