The auto to Viper 6 speed swap begins!

[Racer9]

Got the truck in the shop, up on jacks, exhaust out of the way, converter bolts removed, and electrical connections disconnected. Tomorrow I should be able to drop the 545RFE out of there! I already found out I need a different starter, Hemi and V-10 are different, as is the slip yoke. Also waiting for the new throw-out bearing.

 

[Racer9]

Trans is out, and first major issue. Contrary to internet research, the bolt patterns are not the same between the V-10 and Hemi.
I need to find a bell that will work. Challenger puts the starter on the right side and there's no room for it over there.

 

[G-Ride990]

Maybe something like this? https://www.holley.com/products/drivetrain/bellhousings/mopar/parts/RM-8077

This is a cool project. I always wanted to six speed swap my Dakota r/t, this reminds me of that.

Best of luck! I hope you share lots of pics!

 

[Racer9]

That a Challenger style, the starter is on the right. I think this one will work. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lak-lk7100k

 

[Racer9]

Kind of bummed out right now. Lots of conflicting info out there. It seems all T-56 trans are not equal. Dodge and GM patterns and lengths are different, even though the trans is the same. Hard to find a Viper trans to Hemi bell. Trying to get solid advice is a real headache. Spoke to American Powertrain, he said I'd be throwing dollars to save pennies with the Viper trans and would be better off with a T-56Magnum. At this point I need to decide whether to continue trying to swap or slide the auto back in and run it. With the *********** costs of this and my drag car build, I'm blowing through my savings too fast to continue both. Since I don't want to tie up my shop stall while I sort this out, I think I'm going to re-install the auto, sell the parts I've accumulated, concentrate on the drag car, and re-evaluate later. Also, at 66 it's not as easy as it used to be to do these things.

 

[Pull Ya]

Have you had any conversations with Matt at Moe's Performance? He is one of the few "experts" on Hemi Rams performance issues and is also a sponsor on this site. Although he stays pretty busy, you might try to either email or text him.
Jay

 

[Racer9]

I've spoken to him, and bought parts, but didn't discuss this swap with him.
I'm going to concentrate on the drag car for now.

 

[HemiLonestar]

Do an 8HP70 swap.

 

[emjohn4]

Do an 8HP70 swap.

Before I did my 8HP70 swap, no one could have ever convinced me an auto could be a good transmission. Adequate? Sure, I'd agree to that; but good? No way.

Now, I'm a believer that the right auto can be a good transmission. However, the 8HP70 is an AMAZING transmission.

And while a T56 would be cool in a Ram, I'd take the 8HP70 over it in my truck anyday.

(And I have a Viper spec T56 in the garage as well, but it is connected to a car).

FWIW.

 

[Racer9]

If I remember right, the 8HP70 is a fairly expensive swap. I was expecting to be into the 6speed for under $4k.
Who knows what will happen in the future, but for now I'm just going to run the 545RFE.
I did imagine finding a V-10 and pairing it with the manual and building something else, a rat rod maybe.

 

[emjohn4]

I have a parts list in my swap thread. I believe I was in it for about $3k from start to finish.

It's worth it!

 

[Racer9]

Thanks, I'll look into it a bit more, maybe start gathering parts and plan it for next winter. I think I have an instruction sheet somewhere for it also.

 

[DILLIGAF]

If I remember right, the 8HP70 is a fairly expensive swap.

Not at all , did mine for under 4500$ CDN

65RFE to 8HP70 Swap , Lifted Truck Edition!

I used this thread to get me started https://www.ramforum.com/threads/8-speed-swap.180898/ My cost breakdown, And parts list. in Canadian Pesos! - I already have HP tuners ( not sure why anyone wouldn't ;)) - Im lifted 6.5" in the rear, so there's zero reason to get the 8 speed rear drive...

www.ramforum.com

 

[Racer9]

Thank you a bunch. I'm going to be reading a bunch of stuff over the winter, see what I need to do, and decide.