Hey Forum, I have a 2001 dodge ram 1500 v8 magnum, its nearing 300,000 miles and its a little boggy when accelerating, Which could be the trans. I'm thinking about putting in a hemi and was wondering what you all thought. Should I swap or just get a engine replacement. What's the best engine to put in it, with the best corresponding automatic transmission. What all would i need for a swap? I want this truck to be one of the meanest 01 dodges out there.
Thanks y'all!
- Sean

 

The Hemi would be fun, but, that would be a LOT of work.... Not only would you need the engine, you would need the trans as well, and all the electronics to make 'em work. Then you would have the joy of trying to figure out how to make the dash work. As it is, the cluster gets its clues on what the gauges should be doing from your existing PCM. So, unless you wanted to swap all the cab electrical as well..... The hemi isn't really practical.

A 5.9, on the other hand, will drop right in, bolt right up, and run just fine. If you currently have a 5.2, you would want to get the PCM flashed for the larger engine, or, just buy a tuner, and go that route. 01 likely has the death flash in any event, and just getting rid of that will make a big difference in how your truck performs.

Welcome to DF!

 

Awesome thanks I'll check those engines out, any ideas on transmission upgrades? Like a better one all together or modifications to the stock, 01 are known for trans problems I've heard.

 

The 46RE is actually a decent trans, if taken care of. There are a LOT of mods you can do to them, to make them even stronger, just depends on how much ya wanna spend.

 

He could piggy back both Packs like I was going to do. My hemi swap is almost complete

 

what is the death flash? I have an 01 5.9 46re.

 

It reduces the timing to try and save the Plenum which in return makes the engine gutless. If you want to know if you have it lol for a sticker under the hood that says about a PCM reflash

 

Here is a little info that might help.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ath-flash.html

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...um-thread.html

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...m-engines.html

 

Good info there!

 

For what it's worth, my 99 with a 5.9 began to waiver at 192K. A friend of mine got his cousin to source me a 5.9
with a confirmed 146k miles. He agreed on $850 price for the motor and it's installation. I was well pleased and I've
put on about 8K since the work (no troubles). This was in 2019 when the work was done.

I use the 99 for long hauls and drive the 98 full time. They are both great off roaders.

Keith R...