Swapping in a 5.7

[Cburd61]

Just curious as to if anyone has swapped in a 5.7. I see people putting in the monster Hemi’s, but has anyone used a 5.7. I’m wondering how doable it is. I’ve got barely 28,000 miles on my Pentastar with no issues, yet. However the idea of a 5.7 really sounds nice to me. That’s what I had in my Magnum, and 2 Rams. I really miss that. Thanks for any input.

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[JTGuy]

I looked into it but in Calif it's almost impossible due to smog regs.

 

[Cburd61]

I looked into it but in Calif it's almost impossible due to smog regs.

Yeah, I grew up in Santa Ana. We used to swap everything back then. Not long after I moved, they started all the new rules. Back then, all a smog check involved was a tail pipe sniff. As long as it met the numbers, it didn’t matter what year vehicle or what it had in it.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Its available and is as plug n play as the rest of the hemi lineup. AMW just doesn't list it on thier website as its not popular enough to advertise. But if you call its still an option. I only know one member here that did a 5.7 and he swapped out to 6.4 shortly after. I'm planning on a 5.7 myself but i have that set for around the 100k odo mark. I'd like the rest of the truck to be done an buttoned up first. Funnily enough i kept my stock 4.10s gears to swap back too for the hemi cus 4.88s are too tall for that V8. sucker would have to ride everywhere 6-8 only lol. You can buy the kit to DIY or pay for pro install. I believe pro install is about 36k plus right now, DIY should be 20k pre tax for the kit and then market value for a motor and trans.



https://amw4x4.com/collections/conversions/products/amw-405-hemi-345-8hp75-conversion-1

Note its quoted for 48 hrs of labor not included. Assuming a Michigan specialist rate of 145/hr. Additional labor cost would be 7k plus

pro 5.7 install estimate out the door should be just under 42k.

 

[Hootbro]

CJ Pony Parts did a series of videos on a 5.7 swap into a JL that give insight to what is involved.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/resources/jl-wrangler-hemi-swap

Exodus 4x4 has a pretty good video discussing the engine swap options and makes a pretty good case that if you are going to the expense of a 5.7 swap, the nominal increase cost of going to a 6.4 HEMI is the better value in the long run.

 

[Minty JL]

Yup, if you want a 5.7, might as well do the 6.4 swap and all of the guess work has been removed from the swap.......its plug and play now.

Or find a damaged 392 JL at Copart and make it your donor

 

[PuddleJumper]

@Minty JL @Hootbro

Only reason to stay 5.7, and it’s a big enough reason for me. The 5.7 can run on 87. The 6.4 is 93 only. Depending on how you plan on using and where. The 6.4 might end up a trip sentence of ALOT of octane booster. I’ve been plenty of places where 93 ain’t available for like 300 plus miles. Plus 5.7 parts is internationally available whereas the 6.4 is limited. Depending on the country your gladiator might end up in for some exotic trips. No motor support would suck. Granted this is all niche shit but you get the idea.

 

[Hootbro]

@Minty JL @Hootbro

Only reason to stay 5.7, and it’s a big enough reason for me. The 5.7 can run on 87. The 6.4 is 93 only. Depending on how you plan on using and where. The 6.4 might end up a trip sentence of ALOT of octane booster. I’ve been plenty of places where 93 ain’t available for like 300 plus miles. Plus 5.7 parts is internationally available whereas the 6.4 is limited. Depending on the country your gladiator might end up in for some exotic trips. No motor support would suck. Granted this is all niche shit but you get the idea.

I do not doubt what you say on these so called 93 octane deserts, but what is the percentage of people living in such places?

5.7 vs 6.4 is not a right/wrong argument, just depends on some peoples situations I guess.

 

[Minty JL]

I do not doubt what you say on these so called 93 octane deserts, but what is the percentage of people living in such places?

5.7 vs 6.4 is not a right/wrong argument, just depends on some peoples situations I guess.

Agreed.

Should be able to run on 91, since everyplace has that. 91 vs 93 is all in the tune at the end of the day

 

[Aleph]

Only reason to stay 5.7, and it’s a big enough reason for me. The 5.7 can run on 87. The 6.4 is 93 only.

100% agreed. After years of driving cars that require 93, it was really nice paying for 87 for a change when I got my Gladiator. Don’t really wanna go back. 93 is expensive in many parts of the country, and I’m about to move to Alaska.

This is the only reason I’d consider the 5.7. Otherwise I plan on going 6.4. We’ll see.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I do not doubt what you say on these so called 93 octane deserts, but what is the percentage of people living in such places?

5.7 vs 6.4 is not a right/wrong argument, just depends on some peoples situations I guess.

Agreed

 

[Rahkmalla]

i got a quote to install a 5.7 on my manual a couple years back.

I was told unlike the auto, they don't even need to replace the transmission (however to no one's surprise a new clutch is needed).

But here's where economies of scale kicked in: a 5.7 swap reusing my transmission was more expensive than a 6.4 swap buying a new transmission even though the crate 5.7 is notably cheaper than the crate 6.4, and a transmission is cheaper than no transmission.

I was already close to writing off a V8 after hearing the pricing of the 5.7 swap... then my wife told me she was pregnant with our second. Yep. Swap thinking absolutely now a piece of the past.

Now, when the time comes, i'll spend less than the cost of the 5.7 swap to buy a whole V8 car (used obviously), but that's moved way down the priority list at the moment.

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