2004 Ram 2500 5.7 engine swap

[Firefarm]

I need to swap engines in my 2004 2500 with the 5.7. I found a nice, low mileage Hemi from a 300. Will that engine work and what aside from intake and exhaust manifolds would I have to change? Do I need to do anything with the MDS system?

 

[RonJon '06]

If it's an '05-'08 5.7L it will work. You'll need to swap over the front cover, oil pan and manifolds as you mentioned. Not sure if the oil pick up tube is the same or not. Also remove the EGR blocking plate from your '04 engine's cylinder head and put it on the 300 donor to delete the EGR. Make sure to use exhaust manifold gaskets for the Ram and not the 300. You can just leave the MDS solenoids unplugged, your '04 PCM won't be looking for them anyway.

Also, if the starter for the 300 is on the passenger's side you'll need to use the plate between the bell housing and block from the '04. May need to clean out the main engine ground bolt hole on the block as well.

 

[Firefarm]

Thanks. Any reliability issues with leaving the MDS lifters in there or is there any gains to be had by using my cam and lifters out of the original engine in the one from the 300?

 

[RonJon '06]

You're welcome. No reliability issues that I'm aware of, it would be no different than turning the MDS off with a tuner. Since you'll have the front cover off you could replace the timing chain guides with new 6.1L Hemi guides since they're more durable. Other than that I'd leave the 300 engine as is.