Recommended 5.7 refresh/rebuild kits for '12 2500 Power Wagon (ST Trim)

[ZE6010]

Good morning everyone!

My questions first with more background info below: Are MDS Delete Kits compatible with non-MDS engines? Or are there non-MDS rebuild kits that I'm missing?

I have a '12 Power Wagon (5.7l) that just turned over 165k miles. I've owned it for a little over 2 years now for farm truck work, and it's time to give her some TLC. I'm looking for intermediate refresh / rebuild kits. Everything I'm finding with the seals/gaskets/other components I want and that are all nicely packaged together are all MDS Delete Kits. I haven't visually confirmed yet, but I'm almost positive all 2500/3500 5.7 Rams were not outfitted with MDS. If that's the case, that leads me to my questions above. I'm assuming MDS Delete Kits are compatible with non-MDS engines, but sanity checking.

I'm all ears to any recommended kits. Seems MMX and Flying Ryan are leading names. I know Texas Speed has a kit to, and as an LS guy here (don't hate) I'm okay with TS, but not the best out there, just the most popular. Seems AMS Racing is okay, but people say "for the money go MMX." But again, all supplies mentioned here are MDS Delete Kits specifically.

FWIW: I'm primarily interested in replacing plugs, coils, seals, and gaskets, but following the "while I'm there" practice, I might as well prioritize replacing lifters, cam, and maybe valve springs/seats. I'm not looking to do piston rings, bearings, or other componets that require disassemblying the entire drivetrain. I'm also not interested in performance cam/tune... I know I know, not a popular logic when spending this much work/money. But I'm more interested in maintaining reliability. This is a farm truck and concrete crawler. Go fast parts go on other projects.

Thank you!!

 

[Wild one]

Good morning everyone!

My questions first with more background info below: Are MDS Delete Kits compatible with non-MDS engines? Or are there non-MDS rebuild kits that I'm missing?

I have a '12 Power Wagon (5.7l) that just turned over 165k miles. I've owned it for a little over 2 years now for farm truck work, and it's time to give her some TLC. I'm looking for intermediate refresh / rebuild kits. Everything I'm finding with the seals/gaskets/other components I want and that are all nicely packaged together are all MDS Delete Kits. I haven't visually confirmed yet, but I'm almost positive all 2500/3500 5.7 Rams were not outfitted with MDS. If that's the case, that leads me to my questions above. I'm assuming MDS Delete Kits are compatible with non-MDS engines, but sanity checking.

I'm all ears to any recommended kits. Seems MMX and Flying Ryan are leading names. I know Texas Speed has a kit to, and as an LS guy here (don't hate) I'm okay with TS, but not the best out there, just the most popular. Seems AMS Racing is okay, but people say "for the money go MMX." But again, all supplies mentioned here are MDS Delete Kits specifically.

FWIW: I'm primarily interested in replacing plugs, coils, seals, and gaskets, but following the "while I'm there" practice, I might as well prioritize replacing lifters, cam, and maybe valve springs/seats. I'm not looking to do piston rings, bearings, or other componets that require disassemblying the entire drivetrain. I'm also not interested in performance cam/tune... I know I know, not a popular logic when spending this much work/money. But I'm more interested in maintaining reliability. This is a farm truck and concrete crawler. Go fast parts go on other projects.

Thank you!!

Have you thought about a crate engine,not all that much more money then everything you've listed,and you end up with a new engine with a pretty decent warrenty.It's just about as easy to swap engines as it is to do an in chassis cam job.

5.7L HEMI TRUCK Crate Engine

5.7L HEMI TRUCK Crate Engine

www.modernmusclextreme.com

 

[ZE6010]

Have you thought about a crate engine,not all that much more money then everything you've listed,and you end up with a new engine with a pretty decent warrenty.It's just about as easy to swap engines as it is to do an in chassis cam job.

5.7L HEMI TRUCK Crate Engine

5.7L HEMI TRUCK Crate Engine

www.modernmusclextreme.com

It was a brief consideration. A refresh/rebuild kit on my existing motor will be between $1.2k to $2.0k I'm thinking + my time since I'd be doing the install. New motor (crate) would be $4k to $5k more... about... still a good chunk of change. Now, that's "only" $5k more for a fresh motor, no argument there, and a little less of my time (carte motors should still be vetted and gone through). I've also considered buying a lower mile used motor and vet that too. But a rebuild kit on my existing motor is, in my opinion, the most cost affective for how long I expect to have this truck; it is not my forever truck. Ultimately, I need a high capacity tow rig for the farm, but that's the most expensive solution, and furthest down the road.