73 dart hemi swap help

here is info I sent via PM to a member, should be a start...

As far as a Hemi swap goes, it really comes down to a few decisions about your budget and expectation/desires before you can really have a "plan". There are many pieces of the puzzle that are personal preference just like any build. That being said here is what I think.

1st major question: what you want to do about your front suspension, factory K member or aftermarket K.

The factory K is doable ( v8 ), but really tight at the torsion bars, manual steering-box, and passenger fender. REALLY TIGHT, but I've run it with no issues for now.

TTI exhaust sells headers for the swap, as well as motor mounts, and an oil-filter relocate/delete plate necessary to run their mounts in an a-body. As far as other exhaust options I believe the HEMI car manifolds will fit wit the factory K, but require minor passenger frame mods. The SRT manifolds fit with the aftermarket K's

The benefit of the aftermarket K in my book is updated suspension with rack/pinion, engine clearance on all sides, and the decreased need for retaining the torsion bar crossmember that seems to be in the way for almost all OD trans.

Question 2: Which motor?

The most plentiful engine is the 03-08 5.7, two variations, truck and car. Truck is easier to install due to accesories, and car is prettier due to intake design and cover. The truck intake fits under the hood fine, the car engine has alternator to frame rail interference that can be fixed with minor trimming.

6.1 is more rare, and comes with a higher price tag. easily double.

the newer 09+ 5.7 and 6.4 have better flowing heads (but the older hemi heads still flow massive #'s), variable runner intakes, and VVT that are all really good tech, but create more problems with aftermarket ECUs. the newer do make more power with the headaches involved...

Question 3: EFI vs Carb, I personally dont see the benefit of pulling a carbed motor for another of the same, but that just me... if carb you still would need to get a computer/controller for the coil packs, buy a intake and find a carb... so in my book the saving really comes from not building a fuel system for the EFI, which isn't that great to run a carb on a motor that wasn.t designed too.

EFI: so many options... anywhere from $1500ish to $3000

simplest EFI system is a factory 05 RAM ECU reprogrammed and a "standalone harness" for the engine, hook up like 5 wires, fuel pump/system and elec fan and it should run. Most guys get this stuf through "hotwire auto". for this set-up you need a DBW throttle pedal avail from street & performance or bouchillon performance or mopar factory part.

other EFI systems include FAST XFI, EFI source Hemi kit, or a build yourself EFI kit from megasquirt. These all have different advantages, and drawbacks. There is TONS of info in the swap section about it... I chose the FAST XFI system for its self tuning abilities. I love the way its set-up, and how it runs with this system, however, there are now options that do similar cheaper that wernt on the market when I purchased. If I could do it over Id do the factory ECU and be on the road quicker..