Looking still at the 4.7 and the 5.7

Are maintenance costs higher in the 5.7?
You have to run 89 Octane right, in my area DFW/TX, all the gas stations sell the 10% ethanol, so I wouldn't be able to run 87 Octane int he 5.7 right?

I just keep hearing about how the 4.7 gets crappier mileage and the 5.7 can get close to 23 at times. Either way I am going with the 4x4, so that's going to suck into the mpgs any how.

I don't tow that much at all, but I like the idea of the power being there if I ever need it, the potential for better fuel economy.....

This is a daily driver, 95% HWY. Maybe 12 times a year it will be pulling something, boat, loaded down flat bed trailer.


I just don't want to have any regrets, the 09s are price to move, about 10k off MSRP. The HEMI having 09's I have found have both been STs, with several add ons, MSRP of $36k, the SLTs are 4.7s with on MSRP of 35k. Trucks are crews and 4x4. I hate buying vehicles, makes me want to vomit.

 

I bought my 5.7 in January. I run 87 octane and yes we are stuck with 10% ethanol too. The only maint. costs I've incurred are the oil changes every 6k miles. I am running
synthetic though. I only tow 5 or 6 times a year also and usually only a couple ATV's.


Maybe the 5.7 was overkill for me, but I decided that I'd never get another 4.7, had a 4.7 in my 03 Ram, after trying to pull my ATV's over a 11k foot mountain pass a couple years ago. I was running at more than 5500 RPM's and couldn't go any faster than 45 MPH.

 

I've run 87 with 10% ethanol and 89 in my 09 5.7L. I honestly couldn't tell the difference in mileage or performance. I ran a few tanks to be sure. Ever since I've been running the 87. I should also note that I don't take my truck to the race track either. Perhaps some of those guys can tell the difference. All I know is I use it as a daily driver and I love the power it has. I've been very happy with it. Even almost a year later, I still smile when I floor it to pass a slow person.

 

I did a lot of research between the 2 ... the 5.7 with the deactavation to 4 cyl was the diff. live in Dallas and drive 150-200 miles per day .. avg 17- 17.7 everyday in combo driving .... Oh yea when I need the power its there... I tow a 21' pontoon , or 2 seadoos nothing heavy
Everyone that I ever new that went from a v8 to a v6 for better milage in a truck never got better than a 1 mile better
When I bought mine in late feb. 09 there was no charge for hemi

 

Interesting. When did they start making an ST crew? Originally, it was only quad and reg cabs. Looked on the website, and sure enough, there it is.

You can run 10% ethanol 87 in a hemi just fine. Maintenance costs will be higher over the life of the truck, but the tradein/resale value will more than make up for it. I made the mistake of getting a small motor in my last truck and regretted it from the first week.

 

Hemi!!! not even a question...ive had two 5.7 and ran 87 in both..no problems

 

Just get the 5.7 so in a week/month/year you won't be kicking yourself for not getting what you really want.

I made that mistake by not getting a 4x4, I don't need it at all but considering I plan on cashing in on that lifetime warranty I should have.

 

definitely go w/ the 5.7!

 

I agree, go with the 5.7 over the smaller engine. You'll have the power when you do need it, and better resale value if you do want to sell down the road. Good luck either way!

 

Just a note, 87 octane is SPECIFICALLY ALLOWED in the '09 hemi.