4.7 to 5.7 swap questions

[skipper356]

Hi All,

I have a 2003 Ram STL quad cab, 1500 4x4 with 5-speed transmission 186K miles. It has a head gasket leak. It never over heated on me but has the orange foam in the oil fill port. I am out in the bay area in California. I was quoted 5k to change replace the gasket, water pump, hoses, have the heads resurfaced. More if the heads need to be replaced. The shop said they would recommend instead putting in a used motor instead of fixing the heads and this would also come out to be 5K. The engine would be under 150k miles on it. Seems a bit high even in California.
I would not mind putting in a 5.9 but I have looked and cannot find a step by step procedure to do this. I have also seen more information on the 5.7 hemi swap and this may be a better way to go.
My question is can the 5.9 or 5.7 hemi bolt up to my 5-speed transmission? Has anyone done this swap in California, and how did they work out getting it smog legal? Alot of the information i've seen it seems like the smog check is never an issue. Can anyone recommend someone in the bay area who can do this swap or a link to a procedure?
thanks all.
Skipper

 

[Fast69Mopar]

Hi All,

I have a 2003 Ram STL quad cab, 1500 4x4 with 5-speed transmission 186K miles. It has a head gasket leak. It never over heated on me but has the orange foam in the oil fill port. I am out in the bay area in California. I was quoted 5k to change replace the gasket, water pump, hoses, have the heads resurfaced. More if the heads need to be replaced. The shop said they would recommend instead putting in a used motor instead of fixing the heads and this would also come out to be 5K. The engine would be under 150k miles on it. Seems a bit high even in California.
I would not mind putting in a 5.9 but I have looked and cannot find a step by step procedure to do this. I have also seen more information on the 5.7 hemi swap and this may be a better way to go.
My question is can the 5.9 or 5.7 hemi bolt up to my 5-speed transmission? Has anyone done this swap in California, and how did they work out getting it smog legal? Alot of the information i've seen it seems like the smog check is never an issue. Can anyone recommend someone in the bay area who can do this swap or a link to a procedure?
thanks all.
Skipper

The best way to do this would be to get yourself a salvage or wrecked 2003 Ram 1500 with a 5.7 HEMI and use it as a donor truck. The 5.7 HEMI will bolt up to your 45RFE transmission and you would want to use the torque converter from the 5.7 truck. Take your donor truck and strip everything from under the hood including the engine, torque converter, PCM, engine wiring harness, headlamp wiring harness, engine mounts, air cleaner, exhaust, etc. Have the PCM programmed with your VIN and mileage.

One thing to think of is if your truck has a SKIM key (grey key) or a non-SKIM key (black key). If your truck is equipped with SKIM it would be best to buy an aftermarket PCM and have your VIN, mileage and SKIM pin programmed from the company you make the purchase from which there are plenty of companies who provide this service. Once you get the PCM back you will need to have your SKIM key programmed or it will not start. If you have a black key this is a non-issue.

If your truck is not equipped with a SKIM key (black key), then I would send the PCM from the 5.7 donor truck to a company to program your VIN and Mileage and be done. If the VIN is not programmed you will have a check engine light on for an ABS VIN Mismatch.

 

[skipper356]

I have the NV3500 5-speed manual transmission with my 4.7. I am not sure if this is a common combination of engine and transmission. I am not sure if having a manual transmission complicates thing or if it makes it easier. Currently, I believe the transmission only send the PCM the RMP signal and nothing else.
It is not clear if my bell housing would mate with a 5.7 or a 5.9, that is my big question. I read many threads but it mostly covers automatic transmission.
The other big question is if it possible to get the 5.7 or 5.9 smog legal certified. There is no point in doing the upgrade if I cannot get my car smogged and registered. I there anyone in california who has done a swap and manage to get the car smogged and registered or exempted?