cheapest way to get hemi 3g going?

Absolute Cheapest?

Depends upon how much work you're willing to do yourself.

I've seen guys buy a junk yard motor with a factory computer and harness and use a factory service manual and make their own wiring harness.

I've seen guys cut up a truck pan and weld it back together rather than buying a Milodon unit.

I've seen guys fabricate their own headers, rather than buy a set of TTIs.

I've seen guys fabricate their own motor mounts.

Doing all of the above can save thousands.

Here's the route I'm going, you'll see that it is "relatively" inexpensive:

1. Bought a used 6.1L Hemi along with the engine wiring harness off of Craigslist. Found it relatively cheaply at 4K.

2. Built a Megasquirt Computer to handle spark and ignition. I built mine saving over $100.00. When all is said and done, you'll have about $1000.00 in the computer and wiring. You'll have to make your own harness but it is a lot simpler than modifying the factory harness to work in a classic car. Is it "step by step?" No but it is pretty close. Megasquirt is about 1/3 the cost of FAST or AEM.

Here's some other threads regarding Megasquirt with a lot more details:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=137216

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=169167

3. Bought an 85mm Gm LS cable operated throttle body on eBay for $100.00. It was a good deal, but they can be had all day long for about $200.00.

4. Made an adapter to attach the cable operated throttle body to the 6.1L Hemi intake manifold. $20.00

5. Will be buying the Milodon oil pan. $300.00 Charlies oil pans and Canton also make oil pans but they are more expensive.

6. Will buy TTI motor mounts. $250.00 I have spool type mounts. Biscuit mounts are $133.00

7. Will buy TTI Headers $750.00. If you are installing a 5.7L Hemi you can save a lot buy using stock Jeep Cherokee manifolds. Obviously long tube headers are worth more HP, but the Jeep manifolds can be had for 1/3 the price.

8. Use a filter / regulator from a 2000 Corvette about $75.00.

9. Use an external fuel pump from DIYAutotune.com $110.00

10. Oil Filter relocation kit. Prices vary.

11. Other fuel system mods. Prices vary.

As you can see the dollars add up pretty fast.

I DO NOT WANT TO START A DEBATE ABOUT THE PUTTING A CARB ON A GEN III HEMI, BUT if you are trying to get the motor in the car and running as cheaply as possible, an Indy mod-man intake with 650 Holley and MSD Hemi 6 Controller is probably the cheapest way to go since you save so much on the fuel system, and you probably know someone with a Holley laying around.

Regards,

Joe Dokes