Think i need a new engine and need recommendations

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Moviestar9594

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5.7
Hi guys,

I've got a 2012 ram 1500 sport. 178,000 miles. I've got some fun parts on it and I love it. Cylinder 2 misfired and it's in the shop. Not coils or plugs. I'm assuming it's a valve. I commute a ton for work up to 1200 miles a week. I really don't feel like dumping money into the engine and chase problems. I'd rather just throw a new one in. Money is a factor but I can play a little. My question is, what's the biggest or most powerful thing that will drop right in without a ton of mechanic mod expenses and does anybody have recommendations to contact? I really don't want to keep driving the wife's yukon. Appreciate your time!
 

Wulf

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Since you have some play room, is getting a new(er) vehicle an option? That might end up being a better choice in the end. Especially since you drive so much, and it appears you like your truck (who doesn't, right?), a newer Ram would possibly have the ECO mode on the 5.7 and if you do a lot of commuting, the engine would probably be in that mode a lot. My Dad's '17 Ram regularly has 18+ MPG on the cheater display on the dash. I don't know if he tracks that real world or not and if it compares in reality. On my '21 Classic, I tend to like the noise pedal a bit too much to get that good mileage, but it also has that mode on automatically when it is under just the right conditions.
 
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Moviestar9594

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They're crazy overpriced right now. I've got a rack, cover, 24s and I just put a borla cat back on last summer. I plan on keeping this one when my cybertruck eventually shows up. Doing the gas math it'll be free.
This truck has been so good to me I'm going to breathe a little life into her.
 

Wild one

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They're crazy overpriced right now. I've got a rack, cover, 24s and I just put a borla cat back on last summer. I plan on keeping this one when my cybertruck eventually shows up. Doing the gas math it'll be free.
This truck has been so good to me I'm going to breathe a little life into her.
A 6.4 SRT engine drops in,if you get one for a manual transmission Challenger it has no MDS and a little more aggressive cam then the auto versions have,and gets you 485 hp and 470 lb-ft with a 3 year warrenty. You could see if your local dealer can access a 6.4 long block to,as you need to use alot of the 5.7's parts anyways. Do a search on here,there's a couple threads on the 6.4 swap.
 

Wulf

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All this talk about engine swaps is making me remember what I want to do if I ever get to the "money is no object" level. Beef up the drive train/frame/suspension/etc. and take a page from Spinal Tap, and turn my Warlock up to 11, well 10 actually, and SRT-10 it!

I do remember seeing before, there were some aftermarket engine sites dedicated to HEMIs. It is likely a less expensive alternative now, well, comparatively maybe, with used vehicle prices being what they are, to do that swap.

Oh, on a somewhat related note, I believe that although the '19+ Warlocks look like a DS Rebel wannabe, I think it is based off of the Sport model. The replacement grill letters I got to replace the silly looking silver ones apparently fit the Sport.

Edit: Just saw this site, hopefully it helps with your thought process/decision/information on this project.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace a 5.7 Hemi Engine?
 
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GTyankee

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New vehicle prices are outrageous at least for the next year
Used trucks from Auto sales places are too high

If your 2012 is in good to great shape body wise,
i would either rebuild your engine, buy a used low mileage engine, buy a rebuilt engine or buy a crate engine

Don't buy an engine that would require a different transmission

If you are considering a going with a different engine size
First talk to a willing Smog Professional that is willing to answer your questions.
Unless you live in California where they don't do Smog Checks

Like 30 miles East of San Diego, there is a place called PINE VALLEY, residents don't have smog checks

Looks like the smog rules have changed for the better in California :)
 

Dirty D

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New vehicle prices are outrageous at least for the next year
Used trucks from Auto sales places are too high

If your 2012 is in good to great shape body wise,
i would either rebuild your engine, buy a used low mileage engine, buy a rebuilt engine or buy a crate engine

Don't buy an engine that would require a different transmission

If you are considering a going with a different engine size
First talk to a willing Smog Professional that is willing to answer your questions.
Unless you live in California where they don't do Smog Checks

Like 30 miles East of San Diego, there is a place called PINE VALLEY, residents don't have smog checks

Looks like the smog rules have changed for the better in California :)
No idea what pine valley is doing but uhh California 100% smog checks every 2 years if your cars a 75+. There’s an exception for brand new vehicles I believe they don’t have to be smogged for the first 6 years? Could be wrong.
 

RLJ10X

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Putting a big, powerful engine in front of a tired old transmission sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Do what you want, but if I had to drive all those miles, I'd be looking for reliability first and foremost.

There was a recent article of a Challenger 5.7 that had some dealership induced engine failure. One of the heads got messed up, I think. Anyway, they did an engine autopsy. The engine, which had more miles than yours, looked almost new inside. If it was me, I'd just do a cam and lifters job, like lots of other guys have, and drive it until it drops.

But if you still want a new engine, I'd get a Jasper.
 

GTyankee

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There are some towns in a few California Counties, that don't have biannual Smog Checks, until the vehicle changes ownership.
These towns seem to be up in the higher elevations,


  • Julian – Change of Ownership
  • Pine Valley – Change of Ownership
  • Jacumba – Change of Ownership
  • Guatay – Change of Ownership


What Counties in CA Don’t Require Smog Check?​

The counties in CA which do not require smog check are El Dorado, Riverside, Placer, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Sonoma.​
 
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KoboldTaco

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There are some towns in a few California Counties, that don't have biannual Smog Checks, until the vehicle changes ownership.
These towns seem to be up in the higher elevations

What Counties in CA Don’t Require Smog Check?​

The counties in CA which do not require smog check are El Dorado, Riverside, Placer, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Sonoma.​
It seems when you search, that’s what comes up on the search page, but when you click into the article, there are no counties with exemptions referenced.

For the first 8 years of a car, no smog. After 8, every 2. I live in SB County and have received smog notices for testing.
 

HEMIMANN

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Wow. I guess I won't be retiring to California!
Minnesota used to have annual exhaust sniff - no exceptions. People complained, esp. newer vehicle owners, but Feds wouldn't relent enforcing ozone 'nonattainment areas'. Twin Cities ozone finally dropped in late 90's and the testing was stopped.
I remember test after test of near zero emissions while handing my money over to this make-work program.
 

Wulf

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While not as bad as Cali in that regard, some of the states out here on the East Coast still have emissions and other inspections due every so often, but I believe the standards they use are based on the age/year of the vehicle. So maybe similar in that respect at least.
 

CaptOchs

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Hi guys,

I've got a 2012 ram 1500 sport. 178,000 miles. I've got some fun parts on it and I love it. Cylinder 2 misfired and it's in the shop. Not coils or plugs. I'm assuming it's a valve. I commute a ton for work up to 1200 miles a week. I really don't feel like dumping money into the engine and chase problems. I'd rather just throw a new one in. Money is a factor but I can play a little. My question is, what's the biggest or most powerful thing that will drop right in without a ton of mechanic mod expenses and does anybody have recommendations to contact? I really don't want to keep driving the wife's yukon. Appreciate your time!
If it's not coils or plugs could it be the ECU? I had a very similar issue on my Charger. I changed plugs and coils too. Problem persisted. Turns out Dodge had a tech bulletin for it.
 

stormcom

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It may just be a carboned valve. Have them put a scope down it. OMC and Mercury make a fantastic engine decarboner. They have to do it because outboards are such high performance.
 

demonram

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All this talk about engine swaps is making me remember what I want to do if I ever get to the "money is no object" level. Beef up the drive train/frame/suspension/etc. and take a page from Spinal Tap, and turn my Warlock up to 11, well 10 actually, and SRT-10 it!

I do remember seeing before, there were some aftermarket engine sites dedicated to HEMIs. It is likely a less expensive alternative now, well, comparatively maybe, with used vehicle prices being what they are, to do that swap.

Oh, on a somewhat related note, I believe that although the '19+ Warlocks look like a DS Rebel wannabe, I think it is based off of the Sport model. The replacement grill letters I got to replace the silly looking silver ones apparently fit the Sport.

Edit: Just saw this site, hopefully it helps with your thought process/decision/information on this project.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace a 5.7 Hemi Engine?
One thing wrong about that article. Mechanics don't track the time they spend working on an engine or anything else on your vehicle. They use a book that has the time for each job listed in it. If the book calls for 4 hours labor, they are going to charge you four hours, even if they can do it in fifteen minutes.
 

demonram

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If it's not coils or plugs could it be the ECU? I had a very similar issue on my Charger. I changed plugs and coils too. Problem persisted. Turns out Dodge had a tech bulletin for it.
Sounds like the dreaded lifter failure.
 
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Moviestar9594

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It is a 6 speed. More than anything I'm just concerned about the smog at this point. Thanks for all the feedback!
 

Dusty

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New vehicle prices are outrageous at least for the next year
Used trucks from Auto sales places are too high

If your 2012 is in good to great shape body wise,
i would either rebuild your engine, buy a used low mileage engine, buy a rebuilt engine or buy a crate engine

Don't buy an engine that would require a different transmission

If you are considering a going with a different engine size
First talk to a willing Smog Professional that is willing to answer your questions.
Unless you live in California where they don't do Smog Checks

Like 30 miles East of San Diego, there is a place called PINE VALLEY, residents don't have smog checks

Looks like the smog rules have changed for the better in California :)
Like New York State, I didn't think anything was legal in California.;)

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 69778 miles
 
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