Mopar Performance Carb 5.7L Crate Engine

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MuuMuu101

MuuMuu101

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Is there anything special about this 5.7L Hemi? I see them pop up occasionally on CL. Apparently they come from carb to pan. How hard are they to adapt to an A body and 904. I know, for sure, it would need at least headers and motor mounts. PS would have to go away unless I would convert to Borgeson, and if then, I've heard TTI's headers have some clearance issues for that application. I'd assume, like most crate engines, an engine builder should tear it down and check it. Seems like he bought it from Bouchillon Performance.

Here's what one add reads... Seems kind of high as he wants $6200 for it.

"This is a new in the crate 5.7 Hemi Mopar performance engine. This i the model with a 4bbl carb and 16 plugs. The picture is from the Mopar performance site and the text is from there listing.
It is complete with the computer and harness for the ignition and is still in the original shipping container.
I purchased it for a project about 3 years ago and never went through with it. I need the room so it's time to let it go.
See the details below.

Part # P4510594
NEW! 5.7Liter HEMI CRATE ENGINE
CARBURETED
360 HORSEPOWER
360 Ft. Lbs. Torque

If modern technology with a touch of "Old School" is your flavor, Mopar's 5.7 Liter Carbureted HEMI Crate Engine may be what you're looking for. It also comes with "Plug and Play" technology and can accept low pressure (5-7 psi) fuel delivery systems found on many past model vehicles. The 5.7L Crate Carbureted HEMI Produces 360 HorsePower at 5,400 RPM and 360 Ft. Lbs. of Torque at 4,200 RPM.

Specifications:
* Built with all - new components
* Completely assembled from Carburetor to Oil Pan
* Cast Iron Cross - Bolted Cylinder Block painted Hemi Orange
* Aluminum Hemi Twin - Plug Cylinder Heads
* Distinction Chrome Valve Covers
* Heavy - Duty Cast Crankshaft
* Hydraulic Roller Camshaft
* Cast Pistons
* Aluminum M1 Single Plane MPI Intake Manifold with Holley 600 cfm Four - Barrel Carburetor
* Production High - Flow Exhaust Manifolds
* Roller Timing Chain and Sprockets
* Production Flex Plate
* Heavy - Duty Connecting Rods
* High - Volume Oil Pump
* NGC (Next Generation Controller)
* "Plug and Play" Wiring Harness
* Heavy - Duty Engine Shipping Crate"
 
I received one of the very first MP 5.7 crates engines that were shipped out back around '04 or early '05. I was ecstatic to get one at the time, but then the 6.1 SRT cars came out and burst my bubble about owning the top dog 360hp crate motor. As they say, the rest is history.

Anyway, the MP 5.7 crate is literally a 5.7 truck motor, pre MDS and VVT. They're nice, simple motors right off the assembly line. The engine is originally built in Mexico, and prior to the block's powdercoat stage, they sideline about 100 blocks and coat them in Hemi Orange instead of the usual black. Then the blocks go back into the regular assembly process and get completely built as a truck motor. Those 100 motors are then sent up to Cummins in Canada, who change out the intake manifold for carb or four barrel EFI; install the chrome powdercoated valve covers; change out the plug wires for special, silicone shorty wires that go right to the cylinder's second plug and the engine is done. They include what was considered a non programmable ECM (this was pre-Diablo) and stand alone wiring harness. My engine at that time was about $7k, which was a discounted price from my dealer and pretty decent considering it was a turn key package.

I think you should go for it. I think you'll like it if you prefer the carb route. Although the cam is stock, it's rated at an additional 15hp over the stock truck motor at that time and with no MDS or VVT, is very easy to add a cam and maybe some ported heads.

Let us know what you do and post up some pics if you get it...
 
Well, I'm not sure. I was just curious. My 273 is slowly dying and practically running on 7 cylinder and is a dog anyways. I already have the Hotchkis TVS I need to install. This summer I'm planning on buying and installing dr diff 13" brembo brakes up front and 11.7 cobra discs in the back, purchasing new wheels and tires, and completely redoing my 8 3/4 with new parts and gear ratio. I'm not sure if it's in the budget unless my dad helps me purchase it but then I'd still need the air filter, headers, cooling, exhaust, and whatever else I don't even know I'm missing. Then I'd have to shift over to manual steering. Basically, if I choose to get this engine, the car is going to be more than a summer project unless I let the engine sit and wait for the following summer as I accumulate money.

Do you have any input of installing one with a sb k-frame and 904 trans?
 
I did mine with a SB k member with TTI mounts and headers. It is a tight fit especially the passenger valvecover to inner fender, the headers to everything on the drivers side (torsion bar, man box, and starter) you need to trim off the column collar/sleeve up to the firewall to clear the drivers head, and relocate the oil filter.

The truck motor has high mount ALT and other accessories and is a easier install than the car motors... (due to minor frame rail mods needed for clearance on the car motor) In EFI trim the car motors look nicer in my opinion, but not a factor for the motor in question.

I used a 727, you need a special flex plate for the swap, I can't remember who has them in stock currently but they seem to be hard to find... Mine was from Mancini.

The rest is, like with any swap or new motor, lots of nickel and dime stuff that does take a lot of time to sort out...

Most guys go elec fan and new radiator for ease since the HEMI has pass side inlet & outlet off the block... (See my sig pic, blue tape)

Good luck, just fired mine, no steering column to drive it yet...

Joe

Also for the record, I would say 6200 seems a bit high to me.
 
I already have a 904 in the Dart. Do you think if it's rebuilt or built up with a shift kit, it would handle it? Would it utilize the same flexplate as the 727? I'll be running 1.06" torsion bars and I've read up on how tight the fit is.

Now you guys are tempting me. If I do end up getting this engine, I may just get my 273 fixed if it's just a head job and leave this in the garage till next summer. :D I've got quite a bit saved up now, but I'll be graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering around April and may already have a job lined up with my current employer.
 
You should definitely go with a Hemi. I'd only suggest that 5.7 crate motor if it's a smokin deal. I would recommend you build a 5.7/6.1, or buy a 6.1.

Yes, that flexplate is the same- 904/727.

TTI rejigged for the borgeson. They sent me a new drivers side header (thanks peter Bergman- dealer). I haven't taken it out of the box, but hopefully it's a better fit. The first one had some issues, but the main problem was the #1 primary. If that is fixed, it's definitely the way to go. I'll post a new thread when I get to that. I'm about to swap motors (pull 6.1, put in stroker) so I'll put in the new header then.
 
I have a 5.7 Hemi out of a 2013 Challenger R/T if anyone is looking for one
 
I wouldn't hesitate to use a 904 if it's well built, If my 727 goes pop someday I've already got a 904 in the shed... I can't say for sure on the bigger torsion bars, I have the factory v8 bars, (.810 or something) and it is really tight... The TTI website does state you may need to shim the engine to get proper location.

I also agree with the posts saying that it may be worth you're while to look for a non crate engine.. I would think you could build a EFI set up for cheaper than 6200.

Joe
 
So you guys are saying, I'd probably be better off if I just found a used engine for half price or less, maintain the efi, and go from there saving my pennies.

I actually just found an engine I'm not sure it would be worth, but I'd assume it would need to be completely torn apart and rebuilt. It's going to need everything, but I could build the motor the way I want. Here's the ad and the picture.

"2003 Dodge Hemi Motor $250"

"Core motor need to get rid off it need space in my backyard."
 

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For the record, the truck motor has the inlet hose low on the pass. side and the outlet is on the driver side, higher up.

Certainly, the cost of used Hemi engines has come down over the years. New engines vary from moderate to high, depending on what it is. I recently bought a new 5.7 for a car at work for $3,250 plus shipping, which was another 200 bucks. It was an assembly line engine, so it had a stock harness with it; no computer.

So if you take $3,450 shipped; add at least $1,000 for the MP aluminum manifold, Holley carb and MP chrome valve covers you're up to 4,450. From there you still need a plug and play harness and an ignition computer. Then you'd be in comparison to the MP 5.7 crate, but the crate motor is HEMI ORANGE powder coat! :) So the question would be how much is a plug and play harness and a computer? Does Mega Squirt make a harness and computer that would work like the MP crate motor stuff and what would it cost? Maybe $1,500 (guessing). But if that's pretty close, you're pushing 6,000 anyway.

That's the formula I would use to determine what the crate motor is worth. But to me, there's a value to the fact the crate motor is there, you can see it, inspect it and bring cash to negotiate.

By the way, the crate motor comes with a stock, flex plate / flywheel for an automatic. Many of the early conversions were accomplished by cutting the ring gear off and bolting it up to the 904 or 727 torque converter. Works fine...
 
$250, jump on that. Heck, if you dont want it, wonder how much of a "core motor" it is, like a dropped valve seat core? thats bucks. That's a mile from my house....
 
wish I could pick up these prices in Australia, very interestin reading, create motor here would set u back $12500, and hemi motors arnt realy laying around to bye as we have a different market , that make a great motor for my 69 2 door 770,
 
$6200 for the crate motor doesn't sound too bad to me considering it is a fresh motor, not something with unknown history and you save yourself a lot of trouble hunting around for the extra bits you would need if you want to go carb with one.

Even if you buy a cheap injected motor is going to cost you at least a couple of thousand in computer, harness and other bits to get it running.

Geoffgeoff38, there are still opportunities to get into a cheap modern Hemi in Australia if you are prepared to do a bit of hunting around and some wheeling and dealing. I have a nice 6.1 Hemi sitting in the shed, which owes me very little, just had to buy a written off SRT8 to get it.
 
For what it's worth, I pretty much had a running and driving swap for around $5000 invested, engine included. Bought one with a dropped valve seat that pretty well trashed the one cylinder. Had it sleeved and got a replacement piston free with some other parts. That and a new refurbed head were about the only things I replaced in the engine. The bearings looked good and I was cheap, so I reused them and haven't had a problem yet. Went with a carb swap because I didn't have the money at the time to do a full high pressure fuel system upgrade the way I wanted (in tank pump). So engine, Indy intake (re-used carb from 318 I had in car), MSD box, mounts, headers (could have used other stock manifolds for less, but was going to do headers eventually), flywheel, various accessory pieces like belts, bolts, hoses, etc. and had it on the road. Had to swap power steering to manual, but can almost do that for nothing if someone wants to trade parts with you. Sell off what you take out and you can possibly make a few hundred back.

Injection is sort of a different story, but there are now several good options for that. The Megasquirt market has become much more friendly with the new Hemis and there are a few plug and play systems out there for them now. If you get the factory harness and computer with your engine that's probably still the cheapest way to go (I didn't get any electronics with mine, another reason I went with a carb swap initially). FAST has an EZ EFI system that uses factory multiport injection as opposed to the throttle body units, but I've yet to see someone use it (it was my original plan for injection). It's basically just the harness and computer, so you save the cost of their all-in-one throttle body injector setup, bringing the system down to around $900 last I saw. You'd still have to swap to a cable throttle body and run the ignition with an MSD or something though, so overall system cost is probably similar to others. I got stupid lucky and scored a Megasquirt 2 setup with tons of other parts I didn't need that I sold off to bring my total computer cost down to something like $200. I splurged on an aluminum fabbed tank with in-tank pump for the fuel system though.

All that said, figure if you had a stock engine with no electronics, you can get standalone systems for around $1200 now. So a blank plage swap might be engine cost + $1200ish for computer (if you go injection) + swap parts (mounts, exhaust, accessory bits, etc.) $1500-2500+ for a rough estimate. You could probably do your whole swap for the cost of that crate engine, but that engine is basically turn-key, so all you'd need would be the swap parts. There are always deals to be found on parts, so patience also plays a big part in cost.
 
geoffgeoff38 said:
wish I could pick up these prices in Australia, very interestin reading, create motor here would set u back $12500, and hemi motors arnt realy laying around to bye as we have a different market , that make a great motor for my 69 2 door 770,
Click to expand...

You could always hunt down SoCal's CL. I've got a buddy who ships cars and parts over to Australia in a shopping container. It may be cheaper than finding one there.
 
That's a good deal for something that was overpriced to begin with, it is not a great deal.

The big benefit is that it is closer to turn-key than buying a used motor.

The downside, you'll still have to buy headers and replace the pan.

Regards,

Joe Dokes
 
Just re-registered, lost my info form a few years ago.
I have the 5.7 Hemi for sale talked about in the post. If you have any questions or would like to check it out, let me know. I also have a dual quad intake for it, new in the box. My project is not going to happen so I’m letting the engine go.If you want to ship it out of the US, I can load it, we have a fork lift here.
 
If you’re interested in the engine, let me know. I think you saw my ad on CL based on your post. It's stored at my shop in the 90602 so if your local, we can arrange something. Trying to make some room and don't think my project will ever happen, just no time.
 
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