2008 Challenger 6.1 swap input

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YoungDart75

YoungDart75

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Hey everyone I've finally decided to move forward with the HEMI swap and I've found a used 6.1 with 38k miles on it that I can pickup the entire setup for just under $5k locally. I've been reading a lot about these swap and doing the research, but ive also heard the charger/challenger transmission's require speed sensor inputs in order for the speedometer to function properly when the swap is done. Is this a well known fact or has there been any easy way to resolve the issue if it is a problem? Also any other red flags about the setup other then the standard hemi swap problems with shoving it into an "A" body? I made a thread because I'm looking at picking this setup up tomorrow. Thanks in advance guys.

 
More importantly, there's a sensor required to determine the wheel speed and adjust engine operations accordingly, which is part of the rear axle assembly. You need to put a tone ring on the trans output shaft to create the signal, since you won't be using the rear. You should really contact Hot Wire Performance or one of the other vendors that specialize in these swaps so you can make sure you're getting all the factory pieces you need to make it work. Without some of the pieces, you could be looking at quite an extra chunk of change over and above the $5k.
 
Thanks for the help guys you may also have just helped me save a few thousand dollars. Going to try and just get the engine itself. If not then the search will continue.
 
Out of that swap, could i use just the engine ecu, and harness? Or basically just need the engine and find the ecu and harness elsewhere?
 
The holley ecu and harness is my preference...but if you have access to the oem stuff for cheaper, no reason not to use it if u r set on the Chrysler trans. Ecu can be setup to just control the engine. Im just not a fan of all the work for a hemi swap, then with a Chrysler trans you have to have a toggle switch for od...and also do some rigging to get the lockup to work with the mopar trans...thats what led me to the Holley harness, which can control a 4Lx0e gm trans. So pick your evil...extra switches with a mopar trans, and extra bs for od, kickdown, and lockup...or a gm trans...or the big 'ol, big $, aftermarket od units...I picked the 4l70e...
 
Ill look into that. Im still trying to talk him into selling me just the 6.1. But its an uphill battle. Ill have to look into the holley harness and ecu thing, as well as the chevy transmission.
 
Send me a pm for my work contact info. I have all the holley pn,s if you go that route.
 
You can always on-sell the transmission, but they are pretty reliable so probably not a lot of demand. Harness and ECU are of limited value, Hotwire Auto will want to use an earlier ECU to get around a lot of the security features and most vendors want to sell you a complete harness and ECU package. Nobody has yet published a step by step guide to modifying the factory harness for retrofit use so figure on many hours figuring out the wiring if you go down that path. Hotwire Auto does have the means to use the motor and transmission as a package deal but you will need a few other modules from the donor car.
 
I talked to hotwire the other day about it and they basically recommended going with the 545rfe transmission and getting an ecu/harness kit from them.

He just messaged me back tonight saying he would sell me just the motor and to shoot him an offer. What do you guys think I should offer him for the 6.1 by itself, no paperwork on the 38,000 miles but we would be doing a compression test prior to me taking it home.
 
Just for reference. When I bought my 6.1 a couple of years ago it had the same mileage on it. I got it complete will all accessories on it, wiring harness, drive by wire pedals, front control module and harness, and PCM for $3,000.
 
That's something to think about, he's asking 4 for just the motor. I may look around a little bit more and see if he doesn't go down on the price a little or just pick one up when I get to my next duty station next year.
 
He dropped the price down to 3500, but that's just for the motor itself and nothing else. Since I'm in no rush and I don't have to have it right now I'm going to continue my search. Thank you all for your help and insight. It saved me a huge chunk of money and I gained some knowledge out of it as well.
 
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