late model hemi into early b bodies

[5.7 hemi]

I took a trip to the Atacadero Hot El Camino Nite cruise and had a blast. I went a 133 miles and filled up before I left to go back home and got 19 mpg, I guess the cruising in 1st gear brought it down. It was 103-105 on the trip over and the ac was blowing 58-60 degrees out of the vents, 200 engine temp, but was nervous due to the distance I was going, but it was for not, the car just drove perfect althougha Firm Feel stage 2 box in definetly an upgrade I need as my steering is way too light and twitchy.

 

[71 Meep Meep]

Amazing.... two questions though .. Was it all worth it? And would you change anything IE: engine year/size or trans model ?

 

[5.7 hemi]

Was it worth it.....hell yes!! Dont get me wrong, if the car was a factory max wedge then I would have left it stock, but a 318 poly, well, it's not an engine that I wanted so the hemi got the nod. The year of the engine doesn't really matter as much as the year of the computer (factory) for tuning. I wanted to go with a 6spd, but my wife slips the clutch too much on 1 of our other cars, so I had to rule that out. I should have left the small block 727 in it and just a gear vendors (in hind sight) but I wanted an o/d auto trans and no cross breeding, so the 545rfe trans (stock behind the rams) was what came with the engine, so thats what I used. There are some weaknesses in that trans, so when the time comes, sharadon performance will get a call. So as it stands now, I'm happy, the end result turned out nice and it scoots!!!

 

[kb67mopar]

Was it worth it.....hell yes!! Dont get me wrong, if the car was a factory max wedge then I would have left it stock, but a 318 poly, well, it's not an engine that I wanted so the hemi got the nod. The year of the engine doesn't really matter as much as the year of the computer (factory) for tuning. I wanted to go with a 6spd, but my wife slips the clutch too much on 1 of our other cars, so I had to rule that out. I should have left the small block 727 in it and just a gear vendors (in hind sight) but I wanted an o/d auto trans and no cross breeding, so the 545rfe trans (stock behind the rams) was what came with the engine, so thats what I used. There are some weaknesses in that trans, so when the time comes, sharadon performance will get a call. So as it stands now, I'm happy, the end result turned out nice and it scoots!!!

Don't let him scare you from the 545RFE though, it is still a good trans and capable of holding some power. My 04 Ram has 97k on it and feels like brand new still.

Personally my choice is a manual and while I agree with Zack and say go 6spd....in my case cost said go cheaper...so my coronet is getting a 5 speed behind my 5.7. (no comments on that combo yet, its still being assembled)

Zack,
Thanks again on getting the radiator measurements. If the budget :eusa_boohoo: permits maybe next month we can re-kindle the conversation. :icon_thumleft:

 

[5.7 hemi]

No problem Kevin.

Finally got some semi metallic brake pads to go with my 11.75 inch drilled, black zinc plated rotors. Also got the power steering cooler and trans cooler mounted, no lines yet cause I'm trying to figure out in my head how I want the lines to run. A new to me 85mm tb is on the way along with another set of 6.1 intake gaskets so the 6.1 manifold will be going back on. Got another threaded pinion snubber from a fbbo member and need to cut some of the threaded portion down to fit my ride height, lost that part awhile ago, so this time I'll figure out how to keep it tight before it goes back on.

On a lighter note, the 10.87 rotors that I have (drilled only) will be going in the for sale section when I get them off and they have less than 1200 miles on them so maybe only a seal change to be on the safe side and the caliper adapters (slider type with pads) will be included.....might start tomorrow on the swap if my team isn't playing, go skins!!!!

 

[5.7 hemi]

The 11.75 inch rotors and semi metallic pads were installed today. Took alot longer to do than I thought cause of a stubborn lug nut that wouldn't come off, so out came the the breaker bar and when that didn't help, a cheater bar on the breaker bar and that nut cried "uncle".

The brakes work very nice, even better than before, so it's a worthwhile upgrade imo.

 

[Tincup]

I took a trip to the Atacadero Hot El Camino Nite cruise and had a blast. I went a 133 miles and filled up before I left to go back home and got 19 mpg, I guess the cruising in 1st gear brought it down. It was 103-105 on the trip over and the ac was blowing 58-60 degrees out of the vents, 200 engine temp, but was nervous due to the distance I was going, but it was for not, the car just drove perfect althougha Firm Feel stage 2 box in definetly an upgrade I need as my steering is way too light and twitchy.

19mpg sounds more like it......

 

[5.7 hemi]

Yeah Tin it wasn't bad, but I'm trying to make plans to take it to the Fall Fling in Van Nuys, it's about 140 miles one way so we'll see how it does.

 

[kb67mopar]

Yeah Tin it wasn't bad, but I'm trying to make plans to take it to the Fall Fling in Van Nuys, it's about 140 miles one way so we'll see how it does.

Better then my truck gets with the same engine and trans...and better then a 383 putting out the same ponies would get.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Well I'm shooting for 22-24 mpg's, but if I dont, I have a 3.23 set up thats getting done and will swap out if need be.

 

[kb67mopar]

Well I'm shooting for 22-24 mpg's, but if I dont, I have a 3.23 set up thats getting done and will swap out if need be.

What r's are you turning on the highway now? I think you should be able to hit the 22 mark.

 

[5.7 hemi]

At 70mph it's turning 2300ish.

 

[kb67mopar]

At 70mph it's turning 2300ish.

Ah yeah that might be a touch high to hit your goal. My 5.7 in the truck is considerably more efficient cruising at below 2k rpm...as soon as I pass that 2k mark I can't budge over 16 mpg.

My goal in the Coronet is to be at 18-1900 at 70 mph. Which with my 2.94 rear end will be about right though later I'll switch to a 3:23 and posi since 90% of its cruising time will likely be around town anyway

 

[5.7 hemi]

I working on a 3.23 set up now, actually just waiting to find a sure grip for the right price and then I put the 489 in and pull the 742 out and see happens to the gas mileage.

 

[2059]

Just skipped through the thread. I gotta ask; why a 5.7 and not a 6.1?

 

[snakeoil24]

Did you fabricate front engine mounts? what pitch on the engine? Did you shift it slightly to passenger side? Very nice looking job.

 

[5.7 hemi]

2059, the 6.1 was just released and WAY too hard to find used, so the 5.7 was had.

Snakeoil24, engine mounts are from TTI, factory pitch of engine/trans, engine located in factory spot.

 

[Tincup]

At 70mph it's turning 2300ish.

Hey Zack, I have 3:50's and at 70mph I'm turning 2000rpm I just figured my gas and I'm getting 18mpg in all around driving. I'm sure it will do 20+ on the highway.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Tin, thats good mileage. What are ya using for the speedo signal?, gps, dakota digital or ?

 

[Tincup]

Tin, thats good mileage. What are ya using for the speedo signal?, gps, dakota digital or ?

Autometer GPS