questions for future reference

[crazykid1994]

i am thinking about building up my gf's truck. she bought it back in 2008 if i remember right. 1997 dodge ram 1500 5.2l magnum with 44re tranny. 6" rancho lift 33" tires on stock 16" rims. i want to possibly do a supsension upgrade and upgrade the axles in the future. and maybe swap in a manual tranny instead of the automatic. i would like to keep the 5.2l as it only has 140,000 miles on it and runs like a beauty. what other modifications should i do to make it more powerful and work/trail hog worthy and not go to overboard on it? and how hard would a tranny swap be and axle swaps to probably 2500/3500 axles. any information i should research or you guys know about this year truck before i modify it?

 

[White Beauty]

Pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[crazykid1994]

 

[crazykid1994]

thats with the new grille and bumper im going to put on it

 

[White Beauty]

nice! looks like a beast! add some more aggressive tires!

someone will chime in with some answers, I just like pics! HAHA

 

[crazykid1994]

it had bfgoodrich all terrain on aluminum rims but they went bad so we got street tires for now for better mgp. the aluminum rims got destroyed because the truck spun out on wet pavement from the bad tires

 

[crazykid1994]

eventually i might try and rebuild the engine. whenever i get to the plenum im swapping the lifters out for new ones as these have 150,000 miles on them. what is the valve gap supposed to be set at on these engines? the water pump is fairly new. and any website i should look into for a timing set for the truck?

 

[Merc225hp]

Valve lash is not adjustable on the magnum motors, just make sure you get a double roller chain and gear set thats all.

 

[crazykid1994]

Ok. I found hughes lifters that are supposed to be better than oem but exact match replacement. Any good cheap double roller timing sets?

 

[crazykid1994]

Or should I leave the original lifters?

 

[WhiteExpress]

eventually i might try and rebuild the engine. whenever i get to the plenum im swapping the lifters out for new ones as these have 150,000 miles on them. what is the valve gap supposed to be set at on these engines? the water pump is fairly new. and any website i should look into for a timing set for the truck?

Certainly not going to hurt anything replacing the lifters.
You can get some Harland Sharp Roller Rockers, (change to a 1.7 Ratio too) and then you could adjust them. Another option is stock First Gen Viper Rocker arms (1.65 ratio) non adjustables that bolt on.
I'm not sure on different manufactures of timing sets, don't bargain shop and you should do alright.

Get a new water pump while you that deep into it, and don't forget to replace that @()*&$%^ of a bypass hose while you're in there.

Oh yea, Hughes Engine plenum plate too.

 

[Johnn123]

Certainly not going to hurt anything replacing the lifters.
You can get some Harland Sharp Roller Rockers, (change to a 1.7 Ratio too) and then you could adjust them. Another option is stock First Gen Viper Rocker arms (1.65 ratio) non adjustables that bolt on.
I'm not sure on different manufactures of timing sets, don't bargain shop and you should do alright.

Get a new water pump while you that deep into it, and don't forget to replace that @()*&$%^ of a bypass hose while you're in there.

Oh yea, Hughes Engine plenum plate too.

+1 on everything!

Heard of using chevy rockers in the magnums before, never heard of using viper rockers though. Crazy how some of that stuff just bolts right up.

 

[dodge dude94]

I wouldn't bother with Hughes.
His stuff has been shown to be way more expensive than it needs to be.



Get the eBay plate: Dodge Jeep Aluminum Plenum Plate Belly Pan 318 360 5 2 5 9 Manifold Repair Kit | eBay
I personally have one, and it's awesome. The guy that makes them is a Mopar enthusiast that knows what he's doing.


Then you can source your gaskets and timing set from Rockauto. Might want to get lifters from Summit though.

 

[crazykid1994]

Im not very big with mechanics. Beginner. I've messed with lawn mowers making buggies out of them. So when you talk about rockers and ratios Im lost. And the water pump is fairly new. Replaced within 20-30,000 miles. I would still need to adjust the gap on the rockers after a lifter swap back to spec but I don't know the gap for them And I will look into the ebay pan. Do I need to buy bolts or anything for it?

 

[dodge dude94]

There is a Dodge Factory Service manual around here somewhere. It's a free download.

The eBay pan comes with pan bolts, but you'll need intake bolts and gaskets though, those can be sourced locally or via Rockauto.

 

[Johnn123]

Under your valve covers be intake ports and exhaust ports. Upping the ratio of those from 1.6 ratio (stock) to a 1.7 has shown on the dyno to add 10 hp and 10 ft/ibs at the wheels. Damn good numbers for the money.

I'd still be tempted to change the water pump just to be sure. If you're confident with the water pump you have now just stay with it.

Get non-adjustable Harland Sharps, no adjusting required.

If you're speaking about the valve lash when you talk about a gap you don't set that on magnum motors. Of course we could be thinking about two entirely different things

You'll need new bolts for the manifold to motor, can reuse the belly pan bolts. Just throw some red loctite on them IIRC. Need a gasket as well, you'd do well to go read the stickied plenum thread in the engines and performance section.

edit: read this http://www.ramforum.com/f61/plenum_gasket_what_where_what_should_i_do_about_*info*-37635/

 

[dodge dude94]

^yeah, read through that awesome plenum write up.

 

[crazykid1994]

if i get new rockers and lifters are they just bolt on and go? i can price stuff out for future. i plan on getting a new cold air intake also after i do everything to it. maybe redo the exhaust as it is starting to fall apart. its basicallly wide open just past the cats. a hole rusted in the side of the pipe. haha. sounds sweet tho

 

[crazykid1994]

should i replace the head gaskets as well? if im taking it apart already would it be smart or not worth it?

 

[dodge dude94]

Rockers are bolt on and go. Lifters require a bit of finesse.


Head gaskets are a whole new can of worms.