2001 ram van 5.2 - will a repower to a 360 block attached to a 46RE Trans? Has anyone done this swap. Any info would be great.

 

Need the correct flexplate for the 360, and it'll bolt right in, and hook right up. Get the PCM flashed for the larger motor, and you are all set.

 

do you think MPG will be better or worse? van is mostly driven on highway

 

You may not even notice the difference. At most, you will probably lose a point, but, that's about it. If the 5.2 is really tired, you might even get BETTER gas mileage with the 5.9.....

 

The 5.2(318) is an internally balanced engine, while the 5.9(360) is an externally balanced one. Both will bolt up the same. You will however need a torque converter for a 360 because it has the external counterweight welded to it, the one for the 318 does not. Without the correct TC the engine will feel like it's shaking itself apart and will also trash the rear main bearing.

 

ok, so I need a TC and a flex plate and a pcm flash, and everything will work as designed?

 

It was my understanding that the balance weights moved to the flexplate in 96, with the advent of OBDII..... Did the vans not do so as well?

 

Could be, my information was from doing swaps back in the 70s and 80s.

 

I listing stated 2001, not 70's 80's