I recently purchased a used 07 Ram with a V8 4.7 engine. It's a 1500, automatic, 4x4, Big Horn package, 12K miles. I was looking for a Hemi, but it was a great price with lots of added options so I bought it with the 4.7.

The 4.7 has decent power, but I'd like to get a 5.7 into it if possible. For nearly the same gas mileage, the 5.7 seems better in every respect. I know little about engines, so please forgive my dumb questions here. I've read through past posts (here on the forum) and found a lot of conflicting information on doing a swap like this. Some say they've done it, others say it can't be done, others say it shouldn't be done. I know it's a forum with lots of opinions, but I'm not finding the type of discussion I need.

Is this something where a mechanic will tell me to "sell this one and buy a different truck"? Or is an engine swap like this relatively easy to do? Can relatively clean 5.7's be found that will fit in 07 models? Would you advise looking into it, or is it simply too difficult?

Assuming it is doable, does anyone have an idea of what I should expect in costs? Would I get credit for the perfectly-working 4.7? Could I sell it somewhere? With the price I paid for this truck, I could put several thousands into it and still come out ahead. So I'm willing to shoulder cost here.

I could just live with the 4.7 and be happy with the new purchase. But before letting this rest, I want to at least see what it would take to go to a 5.7. Thanks in advance.

 

cheaper, a lot cheaper to take your perfectly good 4.7 and trade it on a 5.7 truck...

You could also mod your 4.7 to make or even exceed what a stock Hemi will do. Air ram (for parts bolt ons) and KRC Performance (higher end mods and labor) are about the best on 4.7s I am aware of.

My advice, go one of those two routes, the other is a costly headache waiting to happen...

 

Id look into trading it off for a hemi if thats what you want. Id bet you could find a fair deal if you located a new 08 roll over truck.

 

Thanks for the replies! I will quit worrying about swapping the engine.

 

Just trade in or sell your truck and buy a truck with a Hemi in it.

 

i dont know, you would lose a lot of money on your trade in. I say just buy a lot of performance mods like headers, chip, exhaust, cold air intake, etc. that would give you the performance you want for a good price

 

Forced induction (blower/turbo) on your 4.7 will be your best bet....easier, more power than a stock hemi (depending on psi) and will probably cost the same as a swap. Also the 4.7 is OHC (overhead cam) and they love FI. Problem is you'll have to find a kit that will work on the 4.7...the aftermarket isn't all that big for your engine unfortunately. Or find a universal kit and make it work with some fab work...but that's the installers problem.