Need suggestions - lifters, cam, new engine, etc.

[lj_dodge]

Hi
2013 RAM 1500 Longhorn 4x4 with the 5.7L Hemi.
I've been very happy with this truck in the two years since I've owned it (bought at 75k miles, now has 138k miles).
Over the last few months I've had a check engine light periodically show up. It's the "short valve runner" error, and usually within a day or two it goes away.

However, a month ago I got a check engine light, had the code run, and it was something related to the air/fuel ratio on the passenger side of the engine. This was a different code, so right away I took it to the dealership.

They just called and said it needs 4x lifters and a cam on the passenger side, for a total of $4500.

To me, that's highway robbery. I'm sure it's difficult working on this engine but still - I can't justify spending $4500 only to run the risk of a week from now having to pay another $4500 for the driver side.

What are my options? Does this price sound right? I priced out a replacement Jasper engine, and for $7400 I can have the replacement installed, with a 3 yr 100k mile parts and labor warranty. There's a part of me that's leaning toward doing that, but to be honest, I don't have $7400 (or even $4500) just lying around.

It's disappointing, as I've always taken care of this truck. Oil changes every 5k miles, transmission fluid changes every 20k miles, etc.

Looking for some advice or suggestions

Thanks in advance for reading

 

[RAMTRPR]

First off there is only one CAM and if they are going to do lifters I would have them do all 8.

The short runner code I got as well and it was because the switch in the back of the intake is very short. I bought a new switch and extension for the wiring. There is a thread on here on how to do it.

The A/F code could be many things, O2 sensor, injector, plug, coil. If you are not hearing a loud ticking almost like a knock, chances are your lifters are ok.

Mine has the lifter tick and still runs strong. I’m hoping to hit 300k before I change them. BTW you could probably go with a Greene racing cam and Helcat Lifters and have a shop install it all for less that what the dealer quoted you for OEM


2009 QCRB 4WD - 4.56/Shorties/FMTB/Intake/Exhaust/6” on 35’s/lots more [emoji41]

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[Ramnewbie]

^^^^^ totally agree. Get a second opinion. If it infact is cam and lifters do the whole job, don't half step. They're gonna have to pull 1 head to replace just the 1 set of lifters so while they're that far in it's nothing to pull the other and do the job right.

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[SYKRAMMAN]

Definitely get a second opinion!

 

[RLJ10X]

These engines are fussy about what oil you put in them. I won't even go there. I let my dealership change my oil.

If I were in your predicament, I'd call Matt @ Moe's. I'd go with whatever cam Matt recommends. I'd go with whatever lifters he likes. I'd do away with the MDS. May as well do Shorty Headers. They're no that much $$$, and you're right there anyway.

My local dealership shop is actually really good, and they're a little higher, but not much. If you have a really good, reputable shop close by, maybe that's the way to go. Cheap is in the Long Run.

When the smoke clears on this, save up an Emergency Fund. $5000. So when things like this come up, it's not THAT big of a deal.

 

[lj_dodge]

Thank you for all the replies

I've heard (for several weeks now) what sounds like marbles rattling. Especially audible when the engine is under load but the first shop I took it to told me its definitely something lifter related.

The "ticking" noise I've had for almost two years, and not worried about the sound so much as I am worried about what the sound means

 

[mondo]

Im with the other guys, get another quote. Thats high for them only pulling one head, etc. Just an example, I was quoted 3800 for aftermarket cam, lifters, springs, pushrods...etc, and with a before and after dyno tune. Here is the quote from the shop.....

Where are you located?

 

[TMyers]

I don't know if you've considered it but there are used engines everywhere. I did a quick search on eBay and saw a 5.7L for a 13' -15' with 38K miles for $2150.00 with free freight shipping.

About 4 years ago I switched engines in my father-in-laws truck. Found a used engine on eBay with 30K miles. Been running great since.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-5-7...ke:Ram&hash=item2f1d22ad43:g:3kwAAOSwczlbM4B6

 

[lj_dodge]

In Houston Texas.
I'm not opposed to a used engine but with my luck I'm afraid after spending a few thousand on something I will be left with no warranty,and after a day, maybe a week, maybe a month I will be left with another big problem.

 

[TMyers]

Just my 2 cents... There is no way I would put $4k to $7k in the top end of a motor with 138K miles on the rings and bearings.

 

[lj_dodge]

$7400 is a remanufactured engine with a 3yr 100k warranty

When I heard the $4500 price tag the first thing I thought of was how much more to just get a new (reman) engine

 

[Kap1]

Hi, I got 2013 hemi as well, and had couple lifters replaced as well, luckily under powertrain warranty a year ago. The fuel air imbalance code was a leak from manifold exhaust bolts, or a Crack in the head, from poor repairs of the manifold bolts leak, so they ended up replacing one of the heads. Actually, this could be an issue for you as well as they didn't diagnose this right away... And had to fix all the obvious issues such as lifters. They skipped on my cam and claimed it was good... Unfortunately .

Find a good reputable shop that has experience with hemi and have them do all lifters and a cam. Go to your local yelp and type in hemi and ram keywords to look for a good shop, don't let dealer do it as you don't know if they will let some noobie do the job .. One important part is to know how bad your cam got damaged and how much metal shavings from it is in the engine... Mechanic will be able to tell you once they tear it apart. So yeah you'll spend about $4k for this job... It's not too bad, but of course a gamble as something else could break too.... I myself mentally prepared to do this on my truck in a year or two but I always took great care of it since new and used top quality oil RedLine 5-30, so I know that besides the possible cam lifters issue my truck should be good for a while. In your case, you don't know how well it was being taken care of before you bought it so there's more uncertainty to hang on to it..

My dealer kept having mechanics mess up on the repairs, and they didn't fix it well until 70k I'm now at 90k good luck!

 

[Ramitiner]

This is the perfect time to add a performance cam. No reason to get into it and replace with the same crap that broke to begin with... Might as well!!

 

[Ramnewbie]

My only problem with adding performance cam is then you need springs and a tuner. You're only fooling yourself if you think you can just throw a cam in and you're good to go. Now if that's the way you want to go, more power to ya.

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[lj_dodge]

I want the truck to run reliably. I have no desire to get additional performance or power, especially if that's at the cost of reliability

 

[mondo]

Brand new factory stock crate engine.....this looks the better option for what you are looking for compared to the 4500 quote you got.

http://www.shophemi.com/p-2666-mopar-57l-gen-iii-crate-engine.aspx

 

[lj_dodge]

Be

Brand new factory stock crate engine.....this looks the better option for what you are looking for compared to the 4500 quote you got.

http://www.shophemi.com/p-2666-mopar-57l-gen-iii-crate-engine.aspx

Better option how do? Certainly more expensive and wrong engine for my truck from what I can tell

 

[RedSRT4Me]

Be

Better option how do? Certainly more expensive and wrong engine for my truck from what I can tell

Just bolt your intake manifold on plus accessories and you're good to go

 

[mondo]

Be

Better option how do? Certainly more expensive and wrong engine for my truck from what I can tell

$4500 for one head pulled on a 130k mile motor or $2k more for a brand new motor with warranty......hmmmm.

Im sure they have the truck block also, you'd have to contact them

 

[joshuaeb09]

Jasper ain't bad for a reman engine. I would ask them if there any upgraded components installed on their rebuilt 5.7's as I remember they had made some reliability upgrades to the 3v 5.4L fords when I was looking at a replacement engine for my Expy before I ended up having its valvetrain repaired. I would also look into getting a quote from a reputable 3rd party as mentioned, but if you do go with a valvetrain repair I would go with an aftermarket cam, hellcat lifters, new pushrods, and new springs. Since you're in Houston you might want to hit up Pietz Performance and see what they can do for you. If I ever cam my 392 or when its valvetrain has issues (Should I own it that long) they're on my short list of places that I would consider.