BIG Block swap

[DaHipaKea1313]

Has anyone done or know of a 383/426/440 BIG Block swap into a 3rd Gen 1500?? I've been having visions of building this combo down the line (hopefully WAYYYY down the line) with my "Brandie". I was thinking V-10 (pricey) or possible CTD (heavy) swap but I know that with todays crate motors they can get just as good or better gas milage as well as tons of torque that my 4.7 could never hope for. I know that 5.7/6.1 Hemi is a way to go but those are basically bored out small blocks (right??) Is this possible or am I spinning my wheels?? Yes I know about the motor being from the same year or newer, but a "new" crate motor should cover this. Just want something different and cool.

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[lxman1]

The electronics will be a nightmare. I would go with a 392 Hemi and Find a Hemi donor truck for the wiring, etc, then you could get a custom tune for the PCM.

[SilverBullet08]

theres a guy on another forum with a stoked 392 hemi

[DaHipaKea1313]

The 392 sounds good but that isn't a true BIG block is it?

[jonnymagnum]

you can bore a 5.7 hemi to a 392 then get a supercharger and a custom tune

[HemiLonestar]

Just because you get a 'new' 440 crate engine, that does not satisfy the requirements you're thinking of because old big block B-RB wedge engines weren't offered in these vehicles (hell, they haven't been offered in anything since 1978!!). That being said, a 2nd gen 426 hemi was shoehorne and made to work in a 2002 QC Ram (do a search for hemi ram popular hot rodding). Your best bet is what everyone has mentioned. There aren't too many 'real big blocks' any more because alot of engines with larger displacements nowadays are derived from small blocks. A 3rd gen 392 hemi may have small block architecture (this platform has been stretched to 440 thus far), but has big block displacement and power to go with it (starting at 500hp) and the added advantage of being a direct physical bolt in, just needing the right electronics to make it work. Look up Sharadon Performance, they've made it work (blown 392 rumble bee).

[DaHipaKea1313]

Thanks HemiLonestar for the help, I guess I'm just dreaming of the old school "Can't beat cubic inches" approach TRUE BIG Block swap.

[lxman1]

They do make a small block 440 crate engine. Mopar offers it. It would pass in looks as a 5.2L or 5.9L. The part number is Mopar P5153523
Crate Engine, 440 Super Commando, 530
Horsepower, 540 ft-lbs. Torque
Specifications:
· Bore: 4.185"
· Stroke: 4.000"
· Compression Ratio: 10:1
· Block: 340 Siamese Block with Four-bolt Mains
· Cylinder Heads: Aluminum
· Intake Manifold: Single Plane Four-barrel
· Camshaft: Hydraulic, 251°/257° Duration @ .050", .603" Lift
· Oil Pan: Eight-quart Center Sump Street/Strip Oil Pan
· Crankshaft: Forged 4340
· Pistons: Forged
· Valves: 2.080"/1.600" Stainless , w/ 5/16" Stems
· Connecting Rods: Forged 6.123"
· Rocker Arm: Aluminum Roller with 1.6:1 Ratio

[DaHipaKea1313]

I just looked up the Hot Rod magazine write up and they even say this is the motor to go with. The block has the most material vs Ford and Cheby SB's to build a True BIG block out of a SB, plus it has 4 bolt mains. Still reading up on this, so this may be an option when I hit the lottery, $14,000 + wheewwww. I’m still having the dreams on the BIG BLOCK swap though. I want it for cruising

[weedahoe]

I can tell you that when I had a 87 442 with a computer controlled Olds 307 I never liked it. While doing a frame off restoration I went to a non-computer controlled Olds 350 and then a 455 and finally up to a Cad 500. I had scrapped the computerized carb and distributor long ago and rebuilt my own carbs and tuned them in. All you need to worry about is the electronic timing and ignition if you are going really old skool.