Have to rebuild my '04 2500 5.7L. What are the weak points that can be taken care of during a rebuild? How about upgrades. Looking for reliability #1, power upgrades without a huge expense #2.

 

6.1 L hemi intake manifold off and charger will get about 15 - 20 hp, 6.1 pushrods ONLY EXHAUST and 6.1 EXHAUST VALVE SPRINGS, those r the weak spots of 5.7 liters and you can use the 6.1 liter rods and springs off any newer hemi engine but only exhaust sides. the 5.7 liter exhaust springs seem to break randomly and make a big issue.

 

might as well use 6.1 push rods and (16) 6.1 exh springs. I would also use a 6.1 oil pump and change the pistons to forged. Other than that, IDK of anything else.

Only issue with trying to use the 6.1 intake is that you have to change alot else to use it. The timing cover has to be machined. There are special brackets needed to slightly relocate the AC and Alt to make room for the front TB on the intake. The engine needs to use 06+ dual firing coils so there are no plug wires going across the intake.

 

Haven't tore into the motor yet but punched a hole in the top of #1 piston. Contacted the sparkplug bent the tip of the plug over.
A little surprised at the price of a stroker kit.

 

Thats why i said use forged pistons. A lot of guys will do that or crush the top piston ring landing.

 

I've been doing a lot or research on porting heads. You could port the stock heads and not spend any money except for the oil and lube. Increasing that cfm would easily give you around 30-40 extra hp. just make sure you upgrade the springs, rockers, and rods. I would suggest getting the heads pressure tested first that way you know how much "meat" you can take out and avoid a cracked head.

 

yeah you dont have to use the 06+ coil packs though i have my 03 on some FACTORY PERFORMACE MOPAR wires which are short and run the plug on the same cyl as the coil basically same as a dual fire coil but less $$$

 

Yeah I forgot about shorties but a complete 6.1 intake with injectors, fuel rails, TB and gaskets will still run you 600+. Those new intake adapters are 200 and the machined timing cover with the brackets are sold by Stu at Intertia for 425 a set.

Thats a lot of coin. Trust me. I had it.

 

na man you can find em on ebay cheap!!! i almost bought one for 89 dollars shipped NEW !!! but dont feel like doing the hassle right now

 

trust me, you were not looking at a 6.1 intake with injectors, a TB, fuel rails and everything else for $89. It would have been gone way before you got to it.