Here's a question for ya. I have a 1996 Ram 1500 with a 5.2 with 177K and the engine is about to go. I was wondering if anyone has ever swapped in a 5.9 from a 98 or newer? I am going to swap a 5.9 in no mater what, but it would be nice to get the programmability of the newer engine. What all would it take to do the swap (computer wise and stuff?) Or should I just swap in the same year 5.9? Or even just rebuild mine? I'm looking at the least expensive approach with the biggest gain. You know more bang for you buck!
Thanks!

 

No I havn't done this upgrade but if you want to make things easy on yourself I would drop a 96 5.9L Mag in it thats what mine has and its a screaming motor and they make lots of performace parts for it to. I think its factory HP is around 240 which is preety good for a stock motor of its size.

 

If I swap in a 96 5.9 will my computer work with it? I can get a long block for about 1700 so that sounds like the cehaper end of the deal. What goodies can you get for it. I know you can't get chips or programmers. Wht else would be good at the time of the swap?

 

the computer is not going to work.. at least not as well as if you got a computer for the same year engine you were building..

some R/T heads are good too... so i hear anyway

an 01 5.9 makes 245 hp and 335 ftlbs of torque.

 

I I got a 5.9 that is the same year as my 5.2 shouldn't the computer still work? If not then where do you get a new computer and how much do you think they cost? What is the difference between the mag heads and the R/T heads and where do I find them?

 

Not sure of the differences in the computer between the 318 and 360 on your 1996, but I just completed the same swap on my 2001 and had no issues with the computer. It just takes time for the computer to relearn the new engine. I have a 325hp, 390 ft. lb torque performance 360 with a 210-215 @ 50, 110 lobe center cam and the 318 computer has taken right to it. I had 3 changes that had to be made, 2 of them for the engine and 1 for the cam.

The engine needed a 360 crankshaft damper and 360 flex plate as the 360 is externally balanced and the 318 is internally balanced, and the MAP sensor vacuum had to be moved from the throttle body to the intake manifold due to low pressure at the throttle body. Everything else bolted right up and the truck is driving great.

 

Did you just plug in the computer and go or did you have to reprogram? If it was just plug and play then it should work. Where did you get the engine? I would love to put out numbers like that! Is the tranny holding up? I have a auto so it should handle that power. Thanks for the info!

 

We just plugged the old computer in. Had a few issues with a ported and polished intake but I just replaced it with my original 318 intake and resolved the issue.

I purchased my engine through Precisionengine.com (Ken is the person who spec'd out my engine) and I bought an improved torque converter from Greg at phoenixtrans.com.


So far no issues with the tranny, although I do have an external high capacity cooler on it to help. I'll know more as I get more miles on the engine (less than 300 right now). The computer will take 200 to 400 miles to work itself in. You will also need to reset the computer before starting the new engine. You do this by disconnecting the battery, turning the ignition key to the START position and holding it for 15 to 20 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, and reconnect the battery. This resets the computer to the default factory engine start-up specs.

 

So what you are saying is that I can buy 5.9 long block, attach all of my original accessories to include the intakes and all, reset the computer and go crazy. Sweet!! I'll check out Precision Engine and see how much it'll set me back. Thanks so much. I'll let you know when I'm gonna do this.

 

Remember the 3 things that are different (360 harmonic balancer, 360 flex plate, and moving the vacuum for the MAP sensor from the throttle body to the intake manifold).