Engine swap!

[charonblk07]

I'm not sure if the BGE's crazy EGR setup would complicate this swap. At the least you have to swap over a 5.7 Ram intake and plug any open coolant/exhaust ports. FYI, the compression is lower (10:1) on the BGE engine so unless you are going FI that's going to sap a little power compared to the SRT setup. +1 on the cam swap, the stock Ram 6.4 cam is do-do.

You use the timing cover, headers, and intake manifold from the 5.7L on the BGE; you don't use the parts with the EGR setup. I have a BGE block to do this swap as a 426 and you only use the block and heads. The lower compression is due to the dished pistons used in the BGE so if you swap to a forged piston on the 6.4L like most will then it won't matter.

I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but if you're going to go through the trouble of a piston swap then the BGE motor makes sense IMO. Especially if a cam swap is being done as well. You get a stronger block, better thermal dynamics, 356 aluminum heads, upgraded head bolts and engine hardware. The HP discrepancies between the BGE and SRT motors are primarily in the cam, compression and exhaust setups. But probably the biggest advantage of a BGE over the SRT is the starting price. Used SRT motors easily command 2-3k (typically) over the truck motor.

If you are just dropping in a stock take-out motor then I agree a SRT 6.4 is the obvious choice.

To add to this, the exhaust valve on the BG heads is also a sodium filled valve so it dissipates heat better than the solid 6.4L exhaust valve, and the block has better coolant jacket casting for improved cooling capabilities. I agree that if you're dropping a sealed engine in then the 6.4L car engine is a better option but if you're going to be swapping anything then the BGE block is better suited.

If your buying a used 6.4 I would buy a challenger motor. 485 FWHP. Truck 6.4 has 410 FWHP. Unless your running 25+ pounds of boost and nitrous, there is no advantage of using the truck block.
6.4 challenger motor has a forged crank. Just have to install forged rods and pistons to make good safe power.

You can actually keep the factory rods and just use the forged pistons and make up to 700-800hp, this can be done on either 6.4L engine. On either engine you'd want to change to forged pistons after 8psi anyways because they both have thin upper ring lands, Ive seen them side by side.

Agreed. I just never mastered the art of degreeing cams.

You don't degree the VVT cam, you literally just bolt up the phaser assembly and line up the factory timing marks on the sprockets and chain. It's the easiest cam swap Ive ever done.

 

[chrisp2493]

Once again Kurtis is setting everyone straight haha

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

You don't degree the VVT cam, you literally just bolt up the phaser assembly and line up the factory timing marks on the sprockets and chain. It's the easiest cam swap Ive ever done.

Great info thanks! About time they designed an easy way to swap cams vs the old degree way!!!

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Once again Kurtis is setting everyone straight haha

Who is Kurtis?

 

[chrisp2493]

Who is Kurtis?

Haha CharonBlk07. He’s pretty knowledgeable and has a sweet boosted truck

 

[charonblk07]

Who is Kurtis?

Who is Kurtis? Who is Kurtis! OMG, check it out guys, this guy doesn't know who Kurtis is!!!! Everybody knows who Kurtis is! How can you say you don't know who Kurtis is! Kurtis is Kurtis! I know Kurtis, he's very close to me, I can't believe you don't know Kurtis!

 

[Wild one]

Who is Kurtis? Who is Kurtis! OMG, check it out guys, this guy doesn't know who Kurtis is!!!! Everybody knows who Kurtis is! How can you say you don't know who Kurtis is! Kurtis is Kurtis! I know Kurtis, he's very close to me, I can't believe you don't know Kurtis!

Who the hell is this Kurtis guy,o-yay he's the guy who's spent the last couple years looking at my tail lights,lol. Just picking on ya,aren't you supposed to be urking,lol

 

[charonblk07]

Who the hell is this Kurtis guy,o-yay he's the guy who's spent the last couple years looking at my tail lights,lol. Just picking on ya,aren't you supposed to be urking,lol

 

[Wild one]

View attachment 122933

LMAO damn near fell off the chair,that's a good one,hehehe.

 

[GIJoe2010]

Great info thanks! About time they designed an easy way to swap cams vs the old degree way!!!

Might be easier but damn is it more expensive with the VVT and phasers and photon torpedos n such.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

What are phasers and photon torpedos?
Or were you being a smartass? Lol

 

[GIJoe2010]

Nope, never on this forum, there’s way too many “feelings” on here.