Should i get a 5.2 ram or a 4.7 ram?
Grand Champion
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,011
Likes: 6
From: Meeker, CO
I'd go for the 2nd gen, if it's in good enough shape to warrant the sticker price. There are more aftermarket parts for the Magnum small block, but more importantly, if you should happen to neglect the Magnum's intake manifold plenum gasket failure long enough to clog the catalytic converter, and neglect that long enough to crack the head, it's a cheaper fix. I don't know that I'd want aluminum cylinder heads on any tow rig, so I'd pass on the 4.7l for that reason alone. Others have valid arguments about how full of crap I am on this, and that's okay.
I can't think of any cracked Magnum heads that didn't have a clogged catalytic converter behind them at some point. Maybe someone else has seen one, but I haven't. For towing duty, I'd take the Magnum without a second thought.
I can't think of any cracked Magnum heads that didn't have a clogged catalytic converter behind them at some point. Maybe someone else has seen one, but I haven't. For towing duty, I'd take the Magnum without a second thought.
Legend
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,663
Likes: 8
From: Central Oklahoma
My machine shop guy once had a 4.7L block that had been torn down for a second time due to running hot. The casting was so thin between the water jacket and one of the cylinders that exhaust gasses were pushed into the cooling system (much like having a faulty head gasket). It was the fifth or sixth 4.7L he had to sleeve.
A friend had to drive my truck with the trailer fully loaded through the hills of Missouri. He was impressed at how well the 5.2L Magnum pulled versus his 4.7L (2WD), which he described as a complete dog.
Screw that Hemi nonsense. Trucks are for hauling cargo, they are not for hauling ***.
A friend had to drive my truck with the trailer fully loaded through the hills of Missouri. He was impressed at how well the 5.2L Magnum pulled versus his 4.7L (2WD), which he described as a complete dog.
Screw that Hemi nonsense. Trucks are for hauling cargo, they are not for hauling ***.
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,849
Likes: 10
From: Texas
Um, the 4.7 isn't overrated, it's 240/300 vs. 235/300. The 4.7 only has 5 more rated HP than the 318. I know for a fact my dad's truck will kick the *** of both my sister's trucks, and she has a 97 360 and a 99 318, both 2WD.
Granted, the 76 will kick the *** of all our trucks, but it has an unfair advantage.
Granted, the 76 will kick the *** of all our trucks, but it has an unfair advantage.
I keep seeing people say 235Hp.. but I've always seen other wise.
Professional
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Southern IN, US
I like my old 318, but i got the 4.7 also and it has more power from personal experience... but then again, my 318 has 225,000 miles and the 4.7 has 60,000 with cold air intake and exhaust. BTW, the 4.7 has overheated a helluva lot more than the 318