Magnum VS Hemi

In the '02 Rams, the 5.7 with the 545RFE was rated for an mpg over the 360 with the 46RE. There's a whole lot more factors to fuel economy than simply the engine.

An EFI Magnum in no way requires an expensive fuel system. In fact, it's cheaper to swap to a Magnum retaining fuel injection- at least here. Here cheap donors are 4x4.

Last I saw most JYs around were selling Hemis for $1800/motor. I dunno how bad/good the $1500 rebuilds are, had to wonder. The huge majority of the cheaper 5.7s (800-) had valvetrain issues or windowed blocks. Compare that to $500 as a pretty top warrantied 5.2 or $800 for 5.9s. Bonus is the 5.2s are all over the pick yards, and all in donors with everything for less than the high-rate JY cherrypicks.

As for Hemi power from Magnums, no-that's not a huge unknown. Sure, if you're going to compare a turbo Hemi to an N/A Magnum then there's a gap but apples to apples the Magnum is cheaper for power even though it starts lower. (the Magnums' HP peak is over 1000 RPMs lower than the Hemis- that's important to consider when noticing power differences) Hemi vs 360 isn't like 360 vs 318 or V10 vs 360- there isn't more power all over the power range everywhere.