Getting Ready for the Magnum Swap. (help?)
Oh I see what happened. You erased the “QUOTE” tags.
"Magnum Swap is the most cost effective swap to do" - Is it really?!?!?!?!!?
When taking into account that you will have to replace the heads, if you go with the Hughes heads they're $1200!!!!
Negative!!!! You may very well NOT have to replace the heads to get the swap done and up and running.
Which brings me to a question - are "ALL" the 5.9 heads prone to the hereditary cracking? or is this specific to certain years Magnum motors or head manufacturing number???????
I’m told they all crack. I’ve onky messed with a pair of Magnums and they ran fine. 1 5.9 has 380,000+ miles and ran like a freakin champ. Heads cracked? According to some they Guarantee it. But I never checked. It did not burn oil, it did not overheat, I got 19 miles to the gallon in the ‘99 Durango.
But back to the cost effective swap statement - if you buy a 5.9 for approx. $500 then add the $1200 for heads and whatever other expenses to rebuild, gaskets etc addressing any "possible" issues before stabbing the motor in - that puts you in the $2K territory which is New Gen Hemi pricing (used 5.7). Am I missing something here?m
Answered above. However, if your going to put new heads on, why stop at stock? Put some well ported heads on top and cam it. Good to go with more power. Looking for big power? Add a MLS gasket that is slightly thicker than stock and then supercharge it. Combined with a cam and ported heads, upper 500’s is easy pickings.
^^^ That is mainly the reason why I have not bought anything yet or decided on which powerplant to go with. I am not looking for a Race Car - I mainly want a Cruiser with good street manners but still have a respectable HP. And I tell you what I have a 2006 300C that previously had a 5.7 with a mild Cam and that thing was AWESOME!!!! HP on demand (low 12s in the 1/4) and that was with a 4500lb Whale of a car - I cant imagine what that same power plant would do in a car that is almost half that weight. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
The problem with what you wrote here is that your comparing a modern Hemi engine with what is a better build from the factory with heads that are stock but yet flow more than ported Magnum heads as well as a aftermarket head or two and leaving the multiple speed transmission out of the math equation.
When you compare, look at all the workings of what makes it what it is. Then realize the extra work that is needed to be done on what it takes to get the Magnum at a similar/equal level.
Start cheap or spend a lot to equal the HEMI or spend a lot upfront and add little to achieve the goal. Welcome to the wonderful world of hot rodding with what is known as the great catch 22!
Another way to look at the problem is what you also mention, car weight. While the Hemi moves that 4500lbs. tub into the 12’s, it does so with that multiple speed transmission. You don’t need that but a good general plan to move your cars weight, not the 4500lbs. Look at your cars weight and then also decide if making it lighter is in the cards.
Lighter car equals less HP to run the same times.
What was the specs of the cam you used in the 5.7 HEMI?
