Looking at a local 03 1500 that I may be able to snag a deal on.
(Asking $7k, Needs some minor body work, and has 88K on the clock)

what I am wondering is what things to watch out for, and also, what kind of power can you get out of the 03 HEMI with just basic bolt on mods.

Thanks!.

 

Pretty much the normal stuff. Ball joints, tie rods may be about shot at that mileage. If it's got the factory LSD you'd want to pull the rear pumpkin and have a good look. Other than that, if it was well maintained, you should be good.

Stock, that 345 HP Hemi gets about 240 HP to the rear wheels. You can get that number up to about 300 with CIA, Exhaust, Headers, Tuner, e-fan, etc.
With the right cam maybe up to about 340/350 HP before you had to consider head work or a blower...

 

I would get a arrington crate engine & biult trans before I looked into a blower or anything that far up.

I think this one (if it's still available) might be my best bet as the seller said he decided he wants a diesel instead, i just happen to have a diesel i'm wanting to dowsize from, so thier might be a chance of a swap.

 

Also take a look at the dashboard and make sure it has no cracks. Not that big of a deal but kind of pricey to replace.

 

Good point, almost forgot about those

 

Anything else to look for?

trans/engine?

 

i thought it was more like about 280 rwhp?

$7k seems like a good price but you know you could always go lower especially if its from a dealer. private sellers will be different then
i think that there may have been some problems with the hemi the first year dodge released them but generally no one really has anything serious

 

This guy put down 279 with just a blowmaster on...but that would be on the higher end of the spectrum because it looks like a 2wd reg cab. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIj3Oa4eDC8 240rwhp would also be on the very low side and i'd be pissed if mine dynoed that...unless it was on a mustang dyno

 

The 545RFE transmission has a lot of parasitic loss, dagnabbit. To the OP, visit edmunds.com They can give pretty good info on what it's worth.

 

Go have yours dyno'd and get ready to be pissed, I've stood there and watched stock Hemi's dyno'd and the numbers are in the low to mid 240's every time!!! And I've seen the number DROP with a Flowmaster muffler...