I'm new to Dodge and I'm more than happy with 5.7 in my 06 Ram.
What is the best engine Dodge ever put in a Pick up? I know this is subjective and the 318 will run for ever, the 360 sucks gas and Dodge hypes out the 5.7 as putting out more H/P and getting better mileage, so is the 345 Hemi better?

I saw a older ram pickup 94/95 with a 360 all tricked out and it looked bad *** ......

 

287ci 4.7L !!!!

It may not be the most powerfull but its more than enough to get the job done. Add to the fact that they are one of the most reliable engines ever produced they are hard to beat. Some will say its too small for a full size truck... but since its just as powerfull than a 360ci I cant see how the 360 was considered powerfull enough but the 4.7l isnt... With a few bolt ons a 4.7L can hand a 360 its tail end.

I think its arguable, I think they all have thier Pos/Neg but hands down the 4.7L would be at the top of the list.

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM

 

Perhaps in a speed contest a 4.7 will hand a 360 its ***, but for a truck engine, a workhorse, the 360 by nature will make more torque. Torque is what gets the job done in a TRUCK. Lest we all forget, these are TRUCKS! HP is just a mathematical function of torque at a given RPM. The 360 and hemi have the same stroke but different bore sizes. What gives the hemi the edge is the efficiency of its cyl heads. The 4.7 was originally designed as the successor to the 318, and filled the bill admirably. Even its little brother the 3.7 is a good little engine.

 

i would have to say the 318. they were underpowered but could easily be made to push the ponies and would run forever.

 

The 5.7 Hemi is one hell of an engine in my opinion, and is a great fit in a big heavy truck. With that said I have a heck of a time counting out the old LA (http://www.allpar.com/mopar/318.html) series engines. I know Air Ram clearly wouldn't agree, but in my experience the 4.7 is kind of a dog (at least in stock fashion). I had a 2K Dakota w/the 4.7, CAI and a Magnaflow exhaust (with low restriction cat). While the 4.7 in it was reliable, it wasn't much of thrill to drive. My father's beat up old '99 Ram w/a 318 in it could give it a run up hills and could out tow it any day (and it was bone stock). I've driven a 3rd gen Ram w/a 4.7 when I was looking for a new truck and had the same "ho-hum" type reaction. Ya, nice truck but even for someone like me who tends to drive like a "grandpa" (take it easy, save gas, etc.) I wasn't very impressed. The 5.7 Hemi blew it out of the water in every respect.

With all of the above I'd summarize thus:

1) CTD if you need big power (there are some crazy CTD's runnin' around)
2) Hemi, enough power for most
3) LA series (318 / 360)..sentimental, proven, and TONS of aftermarket
4) Something to replace the 4.7....with my experience and the endless threads about "how to get more from a 4.7" I think the thing has to go (no disrespect meant to those who dig 'em, all just opinion)...

Of course in the end, it's up to you, and agian, no disrespect meant to those who have or otherwise like the 4.7...

 

cummins 5.9 liter