I have a 1998 dodge ram 2500 4x4 quad cab and i'm thinking about putting a 426 stroker kit on it. Anybody ever done this? and would it really be worth it or shoud I just go with the 408? How much do you estimate it would cost to buy the kit, have it machined and installed? thanks

 

This truck is stock beside a 2" leveling kit. 9:55 gears and I plan on putting a 5" lift an 35" tires on it eventually

 

do u have the 5.9 and if u end up putting it on there send me a pm and tell me about the diff i was thinking about the 390 stroker kit for my 5.2

 

Its a 360 5.9

 

If It is feaseable where is the best place to get the kit? I remember reading about a place in Florida that would install and balance it. It was drop and go

 

I don't know about a kit, but there is a lot of work that has to be done to make that happen. I mean, just about everything you have in the truck will have to go. Custom motor mounts will have to be made, and I don't think you will be able to get an adapter plate to fit for the tranny. I assume you aren't going to go FI so if you want RPM, speedometer, and other gauges to work, you'll have to buy new sensors for them and wire in as well. Not saying any of this can't be done, but it's going to take time and a lot of money. Almost enough that you could get a fairly nice Hemi....

 

a 426 stroker isn't as popular as the 408 due mostly to the extra length of the stroke and the amount of money it costs for just a few extra CI. There's lots of extra machining, clearancing, and fabbing to be done as well.

Hughesengines sells a 426 kit, as does KRC. Plenty of others do too.

If you're building a race engine and money's no object, go for it! If you want a more dependable engine, go 408.

 

very very true


and cn you put the hemispherical heads in these? or is the hemi made for only the 5.7

 

From what I have read about guy's that have tried the 426 stroker rout later regret it. The power potential is just not there with it and it's really not safe to run boost with them or nitrous. As with a 408 you aren't taking as much material away from the block and can get fully foraged components where you can run boost or nitrous. Even at N/A level's there's not much difference. You can search over at bionic dodge and get some more info on a 426 build.

 

426kits still available at Hughes, KRC doesnt seem to sell Magnum related parts anymore according to their site.
Really need to have at least a 55x58tb with ported M1/4BBL.
Biggest valve you can stick in Magnum heads regardless of Eddy, EQ or RTs is 2.08 which will restrict a 426 big time. Look at the mild 426ci crate hemi, 465hp & has 2.25-1.94vavles in it.
Due to how far the pistons come out of the hole & rod geometry rpm potential is reduced compared to the 408. Weakened block with extra stress is the reason you wont find many if any still running, they tend to not last long & grenade. Forget about running boost also.

You can actually make more hp/trq with a 408 and it will last 10x longer than you will be able to with the 426. IMHO, 426 kits are only put together for guys that want big equipment. Its a number not worth pursuing.