Another 392 swap

[RedSRT4Me]

Its been awhile since I had anything to post but recently had a misfire occur on my 5.7 hemi at 171,000. The engine would smoke at start up. It would clear up after warm up but misfire it idle. Not having unusual noises in the engine bay per say led me to drive the truck further but the misfire continued to get worse. It would pop p300 occasionally.

Brought the truck to a long time friend of mine at Larry H. Miller service department. After diagnosis turns out my #1 spark plug electrode broke off and did a happy dance scouring the cylinder wall.

Left at a cross roads a reman 5.7 was the same cost from the dealer as MMX 6.4L SRT Engine. Doing my research I opted for the 6.4L MMX route.

List of items ordered:
MMX 6.4L SRT Engine
MMX 6.4L truck stroker oil pan gasket
MMX 6.4L truck intake manifold with SRV harness extension and 6.4L injectors
S&B 6.4L truck CAI


Since Jay Greene has done all my Ram tuning he was my guy to get this truck running with the 5.7 PCM and TCM tuning.

MODS that moved over:
AFE 1 3/4 long tubes w cats
Hellcat TB
4.56 Rear gear

It was admitted to me after the install that the mechanics were skeptical that this would work at all since this is a one off request. They had not seen this engine running in a ram 1500.



With over 1000 miles clocked on the odometer the swap has been a complete success. No Cel no issues.

The TQ over the 5.7 is awesome to say the least. Typical increases are 30-50lbs of tq at lower rpms.

Im trying to get photos to post but it's giving me issues so I'll try in another post.

 

[RedSRT4Me]

 

[RedSRT4Me]

It had a Carven R direct fit muffler that has been swapped out. The truck was way too loud at start up. To best describe it, it sounded like a Jet engine and a 12gauge shotgun had a baby. It was swapped for a Magnaflow direct fit to quiet things down a lot.

My only issue left is oil temp. My truck didn't include the factory oil/water cooler like some of the newer trucks. Street driving is fine but freeway driving makes me a bit nervous. Temps will get up to 235.

I have the factory parts priced out just waiting for them to arrive to install. If that's not enough I'll go the Improved racing route with the oil sandwich plate, lines and cooler.

 

[emjohn4]

That is awesome! I've eyeballed the 6.4 swap for a few years now...can't say I'm much closer to pulling the trigger, but your posts are certainly another check in the 'pro' column.

 

[Mojo88]

Great thread, thanks. I've been thinking of doing the exact same swap if my 5.7 sh1ts the bed. I was looking at the 6.4L MMX engines just a couple of days ago.

Hey, when you initially put those AFE 1 3/4 LT's onto the 5.7L, did you notice an increase in interior noise? I am tempted to do a set of LT's on my 5.7L, but I like the interior to be free of exhaust noise and drone.... I hate exhaust drone.

Keep us posted on this please! Maybe a video if you get a chance.

 

[rzr6-4]

@RedSRT4Me I'm in the same boat as @Mojo88 , if my 5.7 ever eats a cam I plan to just do a 6.4 swap. Mind telling us how much $$ you are in so far? Purchased parts that is, I would do the labor myself.

 

[Mojo88]

@RedSRT4Me I'm in the same boat as @Mojo88 , if my 5.7 ever eats a cam I plan to just do a 6.4 swap. Mind telling us how much $$ you are in so far? Purchased parts that is, I would do the labor myself.

Here's the engine:

6.4L HEMI Engine Long Block - 68293006AA

6.4L HEMI MMX Performance Camshaft installed NA Long Block

www.modernmusclextreme.com

It's basically a complete no-brainer to go with something like this, versus rebuilding a grenaded 5.7L. Heck, I'm tempted to do it just because, haha..... but my current engine (5.7L) is running pretty much perfect.

 

[RedSRT4Me]

Great thread, thanks. I've been thinking of doing the exact same swap if my 5.7 sh1ts the bed. I was looking at the 6.4L MMX engines just a couple of days ago.

Hey, when you initially put those AFE 1 3/4 LT's onto the 5.7L, did you notice an increase in interior noise? I am tempted to do a set of LT's on my 5.7L, but I like the interior to be free of exhaust noise and drone.... I hate exhaust drone.

Keep us posted on this please! Maybe a video if you get a chance.

I personally didn't notice any issues with cabin noise from the headers. I would say they have been my 3rd favorite mod now that the engine swap has been a success. Problem with aFe is they no longer offer long tube headers for the Ram. Something to do with operating in California I'd assume.
First favorite mod is the pcm/tcm tuning. Without that none of this would be possible. 2nd would be the engine swap. Then 3rd would be headers. 4th would be 4.56 regear.

 

[RedSRT4Me]

@RedSRT4Me I'm in the same boat as @Mojo88 , if my 5.7 ever eats a cam I plan to just do a 6.4 swap. Mind telling us how much $$ you are in so far? Purchased parts that is, I would do the labor myself.

Money in parts? Or just mods all together?

 

[RedSRT4Me]

Update on oil cooler:

My truck didn't come with the factory water/oil cooler that some 5.7's did. For whatever reason this 6.4L runs the oil hot at freeway speed. Could have to do with the 8speed and 4.56 gearing but either way I needed to get those temps down. I do like how the mod moves the oil filter further away from the block for oil changes.

However I think my expectations were way more than the outcome. Temps are down from 235° to 224-226°. I could see towing that those temps will kick back up much hotter than I'd like. I plan to dial up Improved Racing with the remote oil filter and oil cooler in the future. I'd like to work with a shop that has CAD and CNC to build a nice bracket for the cooler. I don't want a cheap looking install when I pull the plug. I'll get some pics on the factory pieces to peek at shortly.

Bottom line: Go with the remote oil filter with thermostat to oil cooler route. You can get some pretty large oil coolers from Improved Racing. I have the MHX-530S priced for my build which states up to 600hp worth of cooling. You can choose a 185° or 200° thermostat on the remote oil filter that way you don't over cool the oil on short trips if your truck is a daily driver.

 

[RedSRT4Me]

Here's the engine:

6.4L HEMI Engine Long Block - 68293006AA

6.4L HEMI MMX Performance Camshaft installed NA Long Block

www.modernmusclextreme.com

It's basically a complete no-brainer to go with something like this, versus rebuilding a grenaded 5.7L. Heck, I'm tempted to do it just because, haha..... but my current engine (5.7L) is running pretty much perfect.

I really did want the cam version but I was afraid of CEL issues. I have to pass OB2 inspections every other year and that CEL light cannot be on for any reason to pass. Saved some money but if you didn't have to worry about inspection definitely a perfect time to add that cam to the build.

 

[rzr6-4]

Money in parts? Or just mods all together?

Just whatever was required for the swap. Obviously the engine itself and then anything else that you had to have to make it run.

 

[RedSRT4Me]

The bill from MMX was 7900 taxed and shipped which included:

6.4L SRT long block
6.4L hemi truck intake manifold w harness extension
6.4L S&B CAI
6.4L oil pan windage tray

The rest of my parts swapped over such as headers, TB, sensors, valve covers etc.

Figure a cost for tuning from whom ever you choose. I'd ball park 1000+ for pcm/tcm.

The reman 5.7L was the same price as the 6.4L so I figured now was the time. I loved my 5.7L it was a beast of an engine but this 6.4 is that much better. The top end is insane for a daily driven bolt-on truck. I'm very happy with the outcome. I need this truck to pass OB2 inspection and it will do it.

Next I'd like to get the hp90 working on the transmission side but I'll wait until the 70 bites the dust.

 

[Mojo88]

I personally didn't notice any issues with cabin noise from the headers. I would say they have been my 3rd favorite mod now that the engine swap has been a success. Problem with aFe is they no longer offer long tube headers for the Ram. Something to do with operating in California I'd assume.
First favorite mod is the pcm/tcm tuning. Without that none of this would be possible. 2nd would be the engine swap. Then 3rd would be headers. 4th would be 4.56 regear.

Thanks for the comments. I actually did go to AFE and searched, and, as you say, found no LT's for the RAM. If they're HQ'd in CA, then I can understand the lunacy of CA regulations might be constraining them.

Interestingly, I seem to be following your mod recommendations. I just received my HPTuners dongle and cables; and loaded up the software into my laptop. I'm gonna do some minor tuning on engine and trans. First I have to download my current data and send it to HPTuners, where they will flash it onto a brand new unlocked PCM, then I can install the new PCM and tinker to my hearts content.

If my 5.7 engine pops, then I will buy the same 6.4 and parts as you.

Which cam did you choose? I would want something that easily passes emission testing (like you referenced), but I am mostly interested in torque (along with very smooth operation) over horsepower.

 

[Wild one]

Thanks for the comments. I actually did go to AFE and searched, and, as you say, found no LT's for the RAM. If they're HQ'd in CA, then I can understand the lunacy of CA regulations might be constraining them.

Interestingly, I seem to be following your mod recommendations. I just received my HPTuners dongle and cables; and loaded up the software into my laptop. I'm gonna do some minor tuning on engine and trans. First I have to download my current data and send it to HPTuners, where they will flash it onto a brand new unlocked PCM, then I can install the new PCM and tinker to my hearts content.

If my 5.7 engine pops, then I will buy the same 6.4 and parts as you.

Which cam did you choose? I would want something that easily passes emission testing (like you referenced), but I am mostly interested in torque (along with very smooth operation) over horsepower.

You might want to look into the truck 6.4 then if you want bottem end torque,it'll also live on 87 octane,the car/srt 6.4 has glass pistons and requires 91 octane fuel,and isn't the one i'd use if i was towing alot. Throw a small cam and set of long tubes on the truck 6.4 and it makes for a great towing platform ,and won't break the bank to keep full of fuel

 

[Wild one]

Thanks for the comments. I actually did go to AFE and searched, and, as you say, found no LT's for the RAM. If they're HQ'd in CA, then I can understand the lunacy of CA regulations might be constraining them.

Interestingly, I seem to be following your mod recommendations. I just received my HPTuners dongle and cables; and loaded up the software into my laptop. I'm gonna do some minor tuning on engine and trans. First I have to download my current data and send it to HPTuners, where they will flash it onto a brand new unlocked PCM, then I can install the new PCM and tinker to my hearts content.

If my 5.7 engine pops, then I will buy the same 6.4 and parts as you.

Which cam did you choose? I would want something that easily passes emission testing (like you referenced), but I am mostly interested in torque (along with very smooth operation) over horsepower.

This 6.4 also fits,and has the good 356 aluminium heads same as the hellcat heads,the apache heads are 319 if i remember right

Mopar Engine Long Block 6.4L - 68411230AA | Mopar Online Parts

Shop Mopar Engine Long Block 6.4L - PN: 68411230AA online! Browse affordable oem parts at MoparOnlineParts & save up to $570.40. Buy Now!

www.moparonlineparts.com

 

[Mojo88]

It had a Carven R direct fit muffler that has been swapped out. The truck was way too loud at start up. To best describe it, it sounded like a Jet engine and a 12gauge shotgun had a baby. It was swapped for a Magnaflow direct fit to quiet things down a lot.........

I really like what you did here with the new 6.4L install. One of these days, if you get a chance, post up a vid of the truck running, interior and of course, exterior, with a little bit of the loud pedal maybe. I'm sure we'd all love that.

Anyway, keep us posted with updates, and good luck with her. Thanks

 

[RedSRT4Me]

Thanks for the comments. I actually did go to AFE and searched, and, as you say, found no LT's for the RAM. If they're HQ'd in CA, then I can understand the lunacy of CA regulations might be constraining them.

Interestingly, I seem to be following your mod recommendations. I just received my HPTuners dongle and cables; and loaded up the software into my laptop. I'm gonna do some minor tuning on engine and trans. First I have to download my current data and send it to HPTuners, where they will flash it onto a brand new unlocked PCM, then I can install the new PCM and tinker to my hearts content.

If my 5.7 engine pops, then I will buy the same 6.4 and parts as you.

Which cam did you choose? I would want something that easily passes emission testing (like you referenced), but I am mostly interested in torque (along with very smooth operation) over horsepower.

The cam is the factory SRT one rated at 485hp at the crank. I needed this swap to be successful without any issues and didn't want to mess with aftermarket cams at this time.

 

[RedSRT4Me]

I really like what you did here with the new 6.4L install. One of these days, if you get a chance, post up a vid of the truck running, interior and of course, exterior, with a little bit of the loud pedal maybe. I'm sure we'd all love that.

Anyway, keep us posted with updates, and good luck with her. Thanks

I'll see what I can for videos. Don't hold me to it though.

 

[Mojo88]

.....The reman 5.7L was the same price as the 6.4L so I figured now was the time. I loved my 5.7L it was a beast of an engine but this 6.4 is that much better. The top end is insane for a daily driven bolt-on truck. I'm very happy with the outcome. I need this truck to pass OB2 inspection and it will do it. .......

Heya Red, just looking for an update, especially with your State Inspection. Have you had any issues with CEL's, or have you had it Inspected yet, and if so, did it pass?

My 5.7L is having some pretty good "hemi tick" at startup. So I may be doing this sooner rather than later. If I'm gonna get a new engine, I would want to do basically exact same as you have done here. I'd love to get a 6.4L in here. My ONLY concern would be passing State Emission Inspection.
You still happy with the swap?? I hope so...............