hi im looking to get my self into a new truck in a couple months. i cant decide between a 1999 or a 2002 or so. anyway im looking into the engines. is the 4.7 better on gas mileage? is there a big difference between performance? im also thinking of getting an exhaust and posibly other parts for it. are there more parts available for one engine compared to the other?
thanks
Sam

 

4.7 is definitaly better on gas mileage however the 5.2 has more aftermarket parts. 5.2 seems to have really good low end torque and power were as the 4.7 feels more car like making more power in the mid to upper rpm range. Performance is the same pretty much. I love my 4.7 and would suggest it but you can't go wrong with either engine.

 

yeah i have a 4.7 and it does the trick. for me the 5.2 is just too old of technology but as i said it is just me. the 4.7 or the 5.2 are still great engines that sound bad-*** if they are piped and air-intaked.

 

Engines
Size liters /
cu. in
Horse- power
Torque
Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy
Consumer Guide Observed

ohc V8
4.7 / 287
230-235
295
5-speed manual: 14/18
4-speed automatic: 14/17
5-speed automatic: 15/20
5-speed manual: --
4-speed automatic: --
5-speed automatic: 16

ohv V8
5.2 / 318
230
300
5-speed manual: 14/19
4-speed automatic: 14/18
5-speed manual: --
4-speed automatic: 13.3


consumer auto guide ratings...as you can see, they are about the same. as far as the 318 being old technology, a V-8 is a V-8. chrysler has been making 318's since 1967 and have updated them as time goes on. there are a million of them out there so there will be parts for them forever. you can also swap some340 and 360 parts on a 318 also since they are the same engine block. i think it is a better and stronger engine from top to bottom and easier to modify if thats what you wanted to do.

 

i def. think that their mpg ratings are off as far as real world numbers the 4.7 would most likely get better gas mileage in all situations vs a 5.2 with both engines set up the same.

 

I have owned both. Both will get similar MPG for daily driving, but the the 5.2 will get better MPG while towing due, prob due to the lower end torque. Towing is much nicer with the 5.2 let me tell ya. I say 4.7 for street trucks....5.2 for a truck that gets used like a truck. There are more parts for the 5.2 like said too, which is always a plus.

 

I would go with the 318.

 

318 is also more reliable and easier to work on.

 

i wouldnt say the consumer ratings are that far off from real world. i did a search on here for gas mileages and everyone, even people with 4cyl trucks get around 15 on average. a few get better and a few get worse, but lets face it, if a person is really worried about MPG's, this is not the vehicle to get.

 

Ive owned2 318's andhave ridden in dakota's with the 4.7, you can't go wrong with either they are both good motors. I lovedthe 318 in my dakota, plenty of power, and in the other ram it was alright too. If i had to choose between the two i would probably pick the 4.7because it seems to have a better tranny (automatic) behind it than the 318's did. As far as parts go there are all kinds of parts and accessories in the aftermarket for the 5.2, much more so than there is for the 4.7.