I am looking to replace my engine due to the current one having cylinder wall and other upper manifold problems. Do I have to keep my eyes for the years engine or can I look for others?
Current: 1994 dodge ram 1500, 5.9L v8 engine.

 

Any 5.9 from 93 and up will work. Look for the boss on the passenger side, behind the head, where the crank sensor mounts. If it has that, it will drop right in, and bolt right up. You will have to use the intake, and sensors off your old engine, so everything wires up nicely.

While you have the intake off, fix the plenum.

 

Is it true that I can use a 5.2? Instead of the 5.9. If I did or could what would that do?

 

92 and up 5.2 will bolt right in as well. But, why would you want to do that? You won't see much, if any, improvement in fuel economy, but, you WILL notice the loss of cubes. The only way I would even consider installing a smaller motor, would be if I could get a REALLY killer deal on one. And even then...... I wouldn't want to.

 

No replacement for displacement

 

I hear this all the time, but the torque curve of the 5.2 (318) is generally much flatter, while the 5.9 peaks earlier and then drops off considerably.

5.2 produces 220HP and 300ft/lbs torque, and the 5.9 produces 230 and 330, respectively.

So peak numbers are marginally better (5% and 10%, respectively) for the 5.9, but is it really that big of a difference? Or do the flatter curves make up for it on the 5.2?

 

The 5.2 has a hotter cam than the 5.9. It's cam is pretty flat really.

If your towing you want that's low end torque curve to get loads moving

Bit honestly. Both of these engines are severely underpowered from the factory.

There's a reason no one bothers building a 5.2. Do the same thing to a 5.2 and a 5.9 and you will notice the cubes

 

If the 5.2 has a hotter cam than a 5.9, is there any advantage to putting a 5.2 cam in a 5.9?? Or in combination with 1.7? rockers??

 

Post deleted opps

 

If he goes with a 5.2 and he has an auto trans will he need different torque converter?

Dave