I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 with the V6. How hard is it to replace it with a V8?

Or would it be easier to replace the automatic transmission with a manual?

 

if you go with a v8 im sure you would need a new transmission anyways but i dont know for sure. i would just buy a new truck rather than go through the trouble and cost of an engine swap. i found a 99 ram laramie 4x4 with a 360 in it and about 60k miles for $6k around town. interior was in nice condition, the exterior had only a few tiny dings, but the paint and body were both excellent.if you really want a v8, try looking around for a deal like this rather than swapping engines. by the time you pay for all the necesary parts, and pay someone to do the work, or take the time to do it yourself, it would have been more than worth it to just buy a new truck IMO.

 

It'd be a hell of a lot easier just switching out the transmission, but whats the point? If you want the V8 power, then might as well just sell your truck and get one with a V8, as Johndjcr1989 already pointed out. An engine swap is very involved and unless you know exactly what you are doing, I'd advise against it.

 

Plus if you have emissions testing it wont pass...cause they take the vin # So when you put the vin # into the computer for emissions and it show that the truck has a v6 instead it has a v8 guess what ? FAILED !

 

yea your much better off just lookin for a different truck with exactly what you want That major of a project is going to be a lot of money and when you go to sell it you wont get that money back

 

Its not that hard, and wouldn't be har dto do at all. Hardest part would be finding a truck that has a 2wd V8 and manual that was wrecked and is cheap.

It should all bolt right in more or less. You'll need the computer from the V8 and manual trans

 

if you have to ask, you can't do it

 

Ok if I am reading you post right, you either want to swap out your V6 for a V8 or Switch out your Auto for a manual and keep the V6. Am I correct?
If that is the case, the motor swap would be way easier. Almost a sraight forward swap. V8 will bolt right in with no mods, V8 will bolt right up to your V6 tranny. You will have to change out the computer with the one that fits a V8 for 2001, not the one that comes with the motor unless it came out of a 2001. Worst thing you may have to do is get it reprogramed by the dealer, but doubt it.
You should be able to make the full swap in less then a full day, hardest part will be finding a donor truck for the computer, unless you buy a new one. The total thing wont be cheap but if you look around, you can do it for $1000 to $1500 unless you really shop and get lucky, check pick and pull lots, parts are usually much cheaper there.