I have a 2001 Ram 1500 with a bad engine. Can someone tell me what years and models of pickups or vans would be the right one to swap with my 5.2 magnum. I'd like to keep everything stock with the exception of maybe going to a 5.9 instead. I would think that the 5.9 would swap easily with replacing the E.C.M.. I'm a Dodge nut from way back but have never owned anything this late model. Thanks for your help.

 

You will do best by staying with the 5.2 or 5.9 Magnum Engine. I have done the same 2001 5.2 to 5.9 swap and have had very good results. The difference between the two engines (5.2 and 5.9) is that the 5.2 is an internally balanced engine and the 5.9 is externally balanced.

To swap from the 5.2 to 5.9 you need a 5.9 crankshaft damper ($35 to $40 bucks at the junk yard) and a 360 flexplate ( less than $100 new). Everything else from your 318 wil lbe a direct bolt-on to the 360. Your truck wil lrun with the 318, but will run better with the correct 360 ECM. For 2001 there were 2 different ECM's so you need to know the manufacture date of your truck to search for a correct replacement. Do a search on www.car-parts.com and you should find one that you can use. It has to be for the same setup as yours (I.e 4X4, automatic, etc.)

This swap is easily accomplished as long as you stay with the Magnum 5.2 or 5.9 engine. The 5.9 will provide you some added power that is not available from the 5.2, but you could rebuild the 5.2 in a way that it would provide more power than the 5.9. Your choice.

FYI, do a search here on the forum for additional information about this swap. Several of us have successfully completed it.

 

Thanks for the info. If I do decide to go the 5.9 route I'll probable go with a good used engine. Can't I just use the balancer and flexplate that come on that engine? What engines will fit the 2001 model without too much trouble? Thanks again.

 

Yes you can use the flexplate and crankshaft damper that comes with the 'new' 360 engine. Check the flexplate for cracks and broken gear teeth before install it though or you'll just have to drop the tranny later when it breaks. Cracks and gear damage are pretty easy to see if there are any.

You can use any 5.2 or 5.9 Magnum engine in the swap. If the 'new' engine is ot of anything except a Ram you'll have to do some bolt on part swapping like motor mounts, oil pan and maybe oil pickup tube that is attached to the oil pump, exhaust manifolds, intake manifold as early Magnums had the EGR valve which our 01's did not. Just do a physical comparison between the two.

To save yourself future headaches, there are a couple things that I would recommend that you do to your 'new' used enginebefore install.
1) a new Melling High Volume oil pump will extend the life of the new engine
2) a new water pump and ALL hoses, even that little 4 inch one that is a PITA to replace
3) a new thermostat since you've already torn it down.
4) Replace the Plenum gasket on the intake manifold.
5) Check the timing chain and gears and replace if necessary. New double roller ones are less than $75 bucks.

Good luck and have fun.