Truck is 04 5.7. Going to be swapping something in, but I can't figure out what.
Older 5.7 have valve seat issues
Newer 5.7 have cam/ lifter issues
Would really like more power than both, and definitely want to try and "bullet proof" it. Best i can tell a stock iii Gen hemi can get up to 100hp from a cam header tune depending on a few variables. But how much of the issues is really dealt with? I would think either the entire head or at the very least a valve job would be needed to avoid the seat drop.
If been doing some searching for a few days before posting this. I'm sure the information is all here somewhere but a single thread for the pros and cons of each kind of build would be epic.
I'll keep searching, but I welcome discussion and input from those in the know.
Older 5.7's (03-08) only have valve seat issues if you overheat the f@ck out of them. Got an 03 with 165k+, an 05 with 130k+ and had an 06 with over 180k+ before it got wrecked; all on the original cylinder heads.
Newer 5.7's (09+) you aren't putting in your truck unless you lockout the VVT and pull the crank to put a 32T wheel in, thus negating the advantage of using a VVT engine (or go standalone controller).
That 100 hp gain you might get depends on how streetable you're willing to live with; if you still use your truck as a truck, super high stumbly idle from a high rpm cam isn't gonna fly. On top of that, if you manage to start making that much power, your trans will be living on borrowed time; RFE's don't like it.
Replacement heads have better valve seats installed; conversely you could go with eagle heads (the later ones) or aftermarket. Edelbrock has them, AFR just came out with some and Thitek (being the most expensive) are all pricey. Keep in mind with eagle heads, the chamber cc is much smaller; you can either have the short block built with pistons to match or you can go the thicker head gasket route to bring the CR down.
The stock PCM will run a 5.7 based 392 stroker, so you should be good there.
A single thread would be impossible simply due to the nearly unlimited combos that can be dreamed up. Every build is driven by these basic elements:
1. Budget (to factor in labor if you can't do it yourself)
2. Parts availability
3. Intended use
4. Time available
Everything else is pretty much secondary to those.