Why Buy New? 2012 1500 6.4l install

It's obviously been done many times, but not by me. I honestly waffled on buying a new truck , vs repairing this one. Prices of new trucks like my 2012 sport push the mid $80's here in Canada, with leather etc. I've had this truck for 3 years and 150,000 km, long enough to know it well, and trust it. It was 3M wrapped from new, and also undercoated, so it has almost no rust. I figured why not try something that keeps me happy for another 250,000 km?

Finding a good deal on a brand new Mopar long block 6.4l sealed the deal, and I started assembling parts for the swap. I did a lot of research on what I thought might be needed, and had most things ready for when my truck came out of the body shop (I had some hail fixed from a big storm here this summer).



This was probably about half the parts I ended up using, give or take.

TBC...

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I probably don't need to go into a ton of detail on the old engine removal, that's what Youtube is for. That being said, there are guys out there disassembling the whole front of the truck...

After finding every video and article I could on it, I decided to leave the rad support in, and the hood on. I definitely would do it the same way again, hopefully I don't need to.


I removed the rad, and left the AC condenser in the stock location. Once unbolted, the compressor swings easily out of the way, and sits nicely in a spot with the grill removed. There does not seem to be much stress on the lines at all doing this.

Weak link will be your transmission.What part of Alberta are you in,there's a few of us on here,i'm in Airdrie

Did you got with the car 6.4l or the ram 2500?

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Wild one said:

Weak link will be your transmission.What part of Alberta are you in,there's a few of us on here,i'm in Airdrie

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Yeah, you're totally right. Actually, the main reason I decided this truck was worth keeping was the ability to 8 speed swap it with the aftermarket kits that now exist.

That project will be upcoming, definitely before more power is added. I'm going to start accumulating the parts.

Lee Peterson said:

Did you got with the car 6.4l or the ram 2500?

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I waffled on this a bit, but went with the BGE Truck 6.4, for a couple of reasons.
1: It was available immediately
2: The truck is a quad cab that actually gets used as a truck, towing etc. It needs to be durable
3: the Truck BGE heads, block, pistons etc are all more durable than the Eagle 6.4l, although they give up some HP
4: I am considering power adders that make the base HP number less of an issue, especially over durability

ajrj said:

I waffled on this a bit, but went with the BGE Truck 6.4, for a couple of reasons.
1: It was available immediately
2: The truck is a quad cab that actually gets used as a truck, towing etc. It needs to be durable
3: the Truck BGE heads, block, pistons etc are all more durable than the Eagle 6.4l, although they give up some HP
4: I am considering power adders that make the base HP number less of an issue, especially over durability

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The 6.4 truck responds well to a cam/lifter upgrade,are you swapping the cam?

Wild one said:

The 6.4 truck responds well to a cam/lifter upgrade,are you swapping the cam?

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I looked at the options, but decided not to for a couple of reasons. One being that I have a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty on the new motor. The second was that I couldn't really find a drop in cam that seemed worth the cost and effort. The MMX 6.4l cam is only worth 30 HP and all on the top end. I actually hope to retain the VCT, in the search for broad usable power. The last reason was actually the transmission in the short term. I hope to use this truck this summer, and was thinking a well tuned 6.4l would already be pushing the limits of the 65 RFE.

Back to business

Like I said, I won't bore you guys with the details of the swap, just the lessons learned. The stock 5.7 took me about 12 hours to have it out and on the stand. I pulled the stock oil pan and valve covers, and since my wife was home I couldn't stick them in the dishwasher. I gave them a good cleaning and swapped them over with new gaskets.

The 6.4l needs its own oil pan gasket, as the windage tray is built in. Other than that it was the 5.7l parts put on, including the flex plate, over to the new engine. I used the original knock sensors, and the 5.7l oil pressure sender to match the plug. The 5.7l timing cover bolts right on, and none of the truck 6.4l EGR stuff is needed. A new timing cover crank seal was done on the stand, using a 3/4'" socket, the old seal, and the balancer install tool. The factory balancer was in good shape, so it was reused, although I did not install it until the motor was back in the truck.

I have a 2012 with the CANBUS ECM, and some research showed that you should use the 5.7l stock crank position sensor. The tone wheels on the crank are indeed different. I had a new sensor on the bench, from a previous project. Not to jump ahead, but yes, it started right up and runs fine like this.


I test fitted some child labour, it worked out perfect. My son had no issues rotating the flywheel for me to do up the converter to flexplate bolts.

ajrj said:

I looked at the options, but decided not to for a couple of reasons. One being that I have a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty on the new motor. The second was that I couldn't really find a drop in cam that seemed worth the cost and effort. The MMX 6.4l cam is only worth 30 HP and all on the top end. I actually hope to retain the VCT, in the search for broad usable power. The last reason was actually the transmission in the short term. I hope to use this truck this summer, and was thinking a well tuned 6.4l would already be pushing the limits of the 65 RFE.

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Who's tuning it for you?

Wild one said:

Who's tuning it for you?

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Now, you're going to spoil the ending lol.

Chris at Player3 is doing it per your recommendation and help. There was actually a (brief) moment of regret for me, when I struggled to find anyone that will offer tuning in 2022, and I wished I just bought a stock motor. Since I managed to cross the hurdles of this swap, I thought I'd post it up in case anyone finds it useful. In a pay-it-forward kind of way.

All kidding aside, and for the rest of you, @Wild one answered a PM from someone he didn't know, with no forum history, and made it so I could sleep that night. I knew I did not have to sell a 6.4l engine to buy a 5.7l one.

Thank you.

ajrj said:

Now, you're going to spoil the ending lol.

Chris at Player3 is doing it per your recommendation and help. There was actually a (brief) moment of regret for me, when I struggled to find anyone that will offer tuning in 2022, and I wished I just bought a stock motor. Since I managed to cross the hurdles of this swap, I thought I'd post it up in case anyone finds it useful. In a pay-it-forward kind of way.

All kidding aside, and for the rest of you, @Wild one answered a PM from someone he didn't know, with no forum history, and made it so I could sleep that night. I knew I did not have to sell a 6.4l engine to buy a 5.7l one.

Thank you.

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Did i.I answer so many pm's,i've forgot,alzhiemers kicks in at times,lol. Chris is coming down this week-end and is going to tweak my wifes 1320.If you're in the Calgary area,that's where he'll be

Wild one said:

Did i.I answer so many pm's,i've forgot,alzhiemers kicks in at times,lol. Chris is coming down this week-end and is going to tweak my wifes 1320.If you're in the Calgary area,that's where he'll be

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I'll PM you my number. Thanks

nice swap i love that u installed a 6.4 instead of just buying a new truck.. im doing the same swap soon did u re use ur stock intake manifold and stock 5.7 injectors?
thanks

Gone said:

nice swap i love that u installed a 6.4 instead of just buying a new truck.. im doing the same swap soon did u re use ur stock intake manifold and stock 5.7 injectors?
thanks

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I did. From my armchair research, the flow rates are not that different. It fired right up and ran, but I did download a new map into it before it did more than idle.

One advantage of a used 6.4l BGE is you would get it complete with the manifold. There's a lot of people enjoying the 6.4l manifold swap on their 5.7l, so it's ironic to me that I've gone the other way.

If all goes as per current plans, the intake will change on this one too.

ajrj said:

I did. From my armchair research, the flow rates are not that different. It fired right up and ran, but I did download a new map into it before it did more than idle.

One advantage of a used 6.4l BGE is you would get it complete with the manifold. There's a lot of people enjoying the 6.4l manifold swap on their 5.7l, so it's ironic to me that I've gone the other way.

If all goes as per current plans, the intake will change on this one too.

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I'll keep my ears open for you Geoff,if i stumble across a 6.4 intake.They usually aren't cheap in Canada though.

New price on one is just under 2G.


It'd be almost as cheap to buy one off Matt and have it sent up.

Wild one said:

I'll keep my ears open for you Geoff,if i stumble across a 6.4 intake.They usually aren't cheap in Canada though.

New price on one is just under 2G.

68530327AA - Manifold - 2014-2023 Ram | Mopar Parts Canada

Manifold - 68530327aa. Genuine Mopar® Parts & Accessories. Manufacturer Warranty. From the Dealership to your Door.

www.moparpartscanada.ca

It'd be almost as cheap to buy one off Matt and have it sent up.

6.4 Hemi Truck Intake Manifold Upgrade Kit

6.4 Hemi Truck Intake Manifold Upgrade Kit

www.moes-performance.com

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Yeah, The factory part is pricy. I assume because it's complete with gaskets, injectors and throttle body.

very cool brother. it would be nice to dyno with the 5.7 intake then dyno again with 6.4 i have a feeling the 5.7 intake makes more power down low.