Ok so as I've mentioned before I am new to Mopar and I have been working on Fords all my life. That being said, I have a 98 Ram 1500 with a 360 that I want to upgrade for better performance in mud bogs. I am thinking about swapping my stock heads for R/T heads, putting in 4 hole injectors, and putting a 52mm throttle body on it. My question to all you Mopar experts is, will this swap improve my power output noticeably? I had a 95 F150 with a 351 that I put edelbrock heads on and it was unbeatable in the mud, but again, I don't know mopar.

(P.S. If you think I am an idiot that should stick with ford cause I don't know the first thing about Mopars, I agree, but I am trying to learn, so please tell me what you think is the best way to make more power for off-roading.)

(P.S.S. Can anyone recommend a high quality ring and pinion set for doing a 4.10 swap? I have the stock 3.54s in it right now and it really doesn't want to turn 35s.)

 

Perhaps you might consider going with a set of Edelbrock magnum heads for your 360. That would certainly wake it up, in addition to going with 4.56 gears, instead of 4.10, given that you are running 35" tires and primarily off-roading in the mud.

 

From my experience modding a couple different ones the biggest restrictions are the factory intake manifold, cam, and gears. I have an airgap manifold on my truck with a 52mm and it woke the top end up. Put in a cam or 1.7 rocker would help as well. I would go with 4.56 our transmissions are geared taller as well (except 3rd which is still 1:1). Like Atomic mentioned you need a good set of heads to really notice a difference as magnum heads actually compete really closely with the chevy vortec heads for flow (again intake manifold kills power up top). If you have time research "kegger mod". Its a way to modify the factory intake. Another thing is a 180t-stat and make sure your trans is all up to spec on the band adjustments and fluid change (a sonnax sure cure or a trango shift kit would definitely help as well). I would also delete the cooler check valve.

 

I'll look into the edelbrock heads, but I wanted to go with 4.10s because it is also my daily driver for the moment. If i get another truck and make this one a mud only vehicle I will go with 4.56 or higher.

 

Due to the expense of gearing changes, you typically only want to do that once. I'm assuming that your truck is a 4x4, so you would need matching gear ratios in both the front and rear. With 35" tires, the 4.56 would likely be the best choice.

As for a better flowing intake, see if you can find a used Mopar Performance M1 intake, part number P5007852 (non-EGR) or P5007398 (EGR and block off the EGR) or you might consider the Hughes intake. Also, note that the Edelbrock magnum heads require a rocker arm change and hardened pushrods. The rockers end up being easy to obtain small block chevy rockers

 

After some research, I think I am going to pick up a spare OEM intake manifold ($20 from local junkyard) and do the kegger mod, since it seems fairly easy and effective. In your opinion, whats the best brand of ring and pinion gears for the swap to 4.56s?

 

Richmond has been around forever. Something else you should do if you don't already have is get a limited slip diff. You might want to upgrade the exhaust for better flow also with the other mods you plan on doing.

 

Kegger mod just moves you power band up 200 RPM or so. The top end is still nothing to write home about. Given that you do mud bogs, you REALLY want a different intake. M1 two barrel, or Hughes air-gap, along with a larger throttle body.

If you also swap heads, better make sure you budget for a custom tune as well. Talk to Hemifever, or Flyin' Ryan. (their websites will come up in a google search.)

A lot depends on how much you want to spend. Got any ideas of a budget for the build? Also, if your trans is stock, you are going to want to address that little problem as well. They weren't noted for their longevity, even when they were new.

 

I am trying to stay as budget minded as posdible because im still in school so i can only work part time. I'm definetly gonna get a hughes big gulp throttle body and i'll save up for an intake. What do you think about upgrading to 4 hole injectors?

 

Nope. 19 or 90, we all have to start somewhere.



Although the Hughes is probably fine, there are other, maybe cheaper choices out there.