Rebuild Recommendations

[DeepDive]

Hello everyone, I am not a mechanic or hobbyist but I am going to jump into a rebuild. I have a 2009 5.7 but the entire lower was replaced a few years ago. I might have 70k miles on the lower, nearly 300k on the rest of truck.

The truck doesn’t run well anymore but it runs, it doesn’t die, no leaks (except exhaust), but there is a noticeable difference in throttle response and generally how it idles/runs. I am considering some parts replacements and possibly upgrades. I don’t plan on making this truck a racing or speed build, just adding throttle response and generally improve the performance. Here are my planned changes, please let me know if they are worth doing and any other recommendations. Please feel free to offer specific brands but I am generally looking for systems or parts.

New Cam/lifters, undecided here, I’m not sure I need a stage one.
Replace most gaskets
Tuner
Valve springs
I am relatively sure I have an exhaust leak, might as well change exhaust manifold along with whatever needs to be fixed.

If the engine is salvageable, I plan on making cosmetic changes after.

Should my first step be purchasing a tuner to zero down issues or is this a rabbit hole not worth traveling?

 

[GeauxinUp]

Hello everyone, I am not a mechanic or hobbyist but I am going to jump into a rebuild. I have a 2009 5.7 but the entire lower was replaced a few years ago. I might have 70k miles on the lower, nearly 300k on the rest of truck.

The truck doesn’t run well anymore but it runs, it doesn’t die, no leaks (except exhaust), but there is a noticeable difference in throttle response and generally how it idles/runs. I am considering some parts replacements and possibly upgrades. I don’t plan on making this truck a racing or speed build, just adding throttle response and generally improve the performance. Here are my planned changes, please let me know if they are worth doing and any other recommendations. Please feel free to offer specific brands but I am generally looking for systems or parts.

New Cam/lifters, undecided here, I’m not sure I need a stage one.
Replace most gaskets
Tuner
Valve springs
I am relatively sure I have an exhaust leak, might as well change exhaust manifold along with whatever needs to be fixed.

If the engine is salvageable, I plan on making cosmetic changes after.

Should my first step be purchasing a tuner to zero down issues or is this a rabbit hole not worth traveling?

My first question would be...what's your budget?

 

[DeepDive]

I’d rather spend money on this project than purchasing a new truck. I’d like to stay below 3k for the engine but this does not include the cost for headers, exhaust in general, tires/wheels or suspension.

 

[Wild one]

I’d rather spend money on this project than purchasing a new truck. I’d like to stay below 3k for the engine but this does not include the cost for headers, exhaust in general, tires/wheels or suspension.

You're not getting much of a rebuild for less then 3G's,any decent rebuild is gonna be 5,000+.Why not look for a low milege used engine instead,take your header/exhaust/tires/wheels budget,and put it towards slapping a cam/lifters in a low milege used engine,or putting it towards a decent rebuilt long block. Be realistic dude,if you're on a budget,give up on the headers/tires for now,and use that money towards a decent engine instead.

 

[DeepDive]

I am not sure I am following, I’ve priced out cams, lifters, valve springs, gaskets, push rods (if necessary) and I am well below 4k. Are you saying I will continue to have issues if I locate any issues such as injectors, valves, etc and perform the planned changes?

It looks like I am going with HP and a compatible wideband. Worse case scenario, if absolutely necessary I can get a crate engine. I just don’t want to if I don’t have to.

 

[Wild one]

I am not sure I am following, I’ve priced out cams, lifters, valve springs, gaskets, push rods (if necessary) and I am well below 4k. Are you saying I will continue to have issues if I locate any issues such as injectors, valves, etc and perform the planned changes?

It looks like I am going with HP and a compatible wideband. Worse case scenario, if absolutely necessary I can get a crate engine. I just don’t want to if I don’t have to.

When you say rebuild,that usually includes boring/honing /pistons /rings/bearings etc. Are you rebuilding the engine,or just stuffing a cam in it,as there's a differance. Are you having the heads done etc.. Be a little more specific on what you mean with your version of a rebuild,as it appears to be differant then my version.What was done to the bottom end awhile ago.What in hell is your version of a "Stage 1" cam,nobody uses that designation anymore except maybe TSP,and they're on the bottom end of the scale in regards to cams,there's lots better cams then their cams.

 

[16WhiteQC]

Sounds like you are freshening up the top end, thats not what most people associate with a "re-build".

 

[DeepDive]

Sounds like you are freshening up the top end, thats not what most people associate with a "re-build".

Yeah, I need to learn the lingo around here. I’ve decided my best route is to do a compression test and hope the issue is a coil, cam or something easier than removing pistons or having the cylinders modified. If I have cracked cylinders or pistons I might opt for a complete swap.

 

[DeepDive]

This project is taking a life of it's own. If I opt for a performance long block, I probably will have to swap out the transmission too. (or eventually). At this point I might as well look into fuel management such as terminator x max to control the aftermarket transmission if I go this route. I contacted SippleSpeed about transmissions and to start putting down all engine, fuel management parts and costs on paper.

*Edit - how important is it to replace head bolts if I have to change out a head gasket?

 

[Wild one]

This project is taking a life of it's own. If I opt for a performance long block, I probably will have to swap out the transmission too. (or eventually). At this point I might as well look into fuel management such as terminator x max to control the aftermarket transmission if I go this route. I contacted SippleSpeed about transmissions and to start putting down all engine, fuel management parts and costs on paper.

*Edit - how important is it to replace head bolts if I have to change out a head gasket?

If you're thinking of transmission swapping it,why not put an 8 speed in it.Russell at SGA / Sound German Automotive,makes it a pretty easy swap,and you can keep your factory computor

 

[DeepDive]

That makes a ton of sense.

 

[DeepDive]

Current 5.7. Oil is coming out around cylinders 2&4. When I get back to the house I will be able to try zeroing down on the issue. No oil on the ground, just between the passenger side head and block. You can see the moisture and where it ends.

 

[Wild one]

Current 5.7. Oil is coming out around cylinders 2&4. When I get back to the house I will be able to try zeroing down on the issue. No oil on the ground, just between the passenger side head and block. You can see the moisture and where it ends.

Did you install the gaskets correctly,they are side specific,and if you get them backasswards,you'll have an oil leak exactly where you have a leak.

 

[DeepDive]

No, recent find.

 

[DeepDive]

I’m finally back in town. I have to head back into work soon and I managed to already break one of the red locking tabs. Doing a compression test later today before and after replacing the all valve cover gaskets and head gaskets.

I realized my air cleaner housing wasn’t secured down to anything. I noticed there was a decent amount of dirt in the throttle body. After I change out the air filter I might wash out the hose. I wiped it out with a lent free rag.

I will have a good idea what my issues are after this weekend.

 

[DeepDive]

There are too many issues going on with this engine. Is the best course of action going with another 5.7 (345) or is a larger swap possible?

 

[Wild one]

There are too many issues going on with this engine. Is the best course of action going with another 5.7 (345) or is a larger swap possible?

You can drop a 6.4 in it,but you better plan on swapping in an 8 speed shortly afterwards,as your high milege RFE isn't going to last long behind a 6.4.

 

[DeepDive]

I am probably staying with a 5.7 even though I might have the transmission rebuilt. Any favorite companies to get a refurbished crate engine? Summit has VEGE, MM Xtreme does their own, Fraser and Jasper, not sure if anyone has any good experiences with these companies.

 

[06 Dodge]

I am probably staying with a 5.7 even though I might have the transmission rebuilt. Any favorite companies to get a refurbished crate engine? Summit has VEGE, MM Xtreme does their own, Fraser and Jasper, not sure if anyone has any good experiences with these companies.

Dont know much about Fraser but stay away from Jasper as from what i have read their engines are a crap shoot

 

[Wild one]

I am probably staying with a 5.7 even though I might have the transmission rebuilt. Any favorite companies to get a refurbished crate engine? Summit has VEGE, MM Xtreme does their own, Fraser and Jasper, not sure if anyone has any good experiences with these companies.

Ma Mopar has long block engines to,which you can usually get through MMX.

5.7L HEMI NON-MDS Truck Engine Long Block

5.7L HEMI NON-MDS Truck Engine Long Block

www.modernmusclextreme.com