So for you guys who have done modern Hemi swaps I have a question --
Have you had any issues with cold start piston slap noise in stock Hemi engines?
I own a 2012 Ram with the 5.7 hemi...owned since new....and since about 3-4k miles it started making a loud "diesel like" low end noise....loud on startup when cold, much louder as outside temps drop.....putting into gear when cold makes it even louder...By about 15 miles or so the engine has warmed up enough to not make the noise.
Had it to the dealer several times over the first 7 years of ownership -- "cannot replicate issue" was always the reply.
SO right before the warranty ran out, at 45k miles and 6.5 years last year around this time, I took it down and left it sit overnight in the cold and met the service rep and the lead mechanic in the AM to hear it.
NOW they hear the noise.
They had my truck for like 2 months and finally did a warranty engine swap.....
No noise for the first 3-4k miles and then it was back.
I did some digging and Arrington Performance says that Mahle (the OEM for the pistons) used al anlloy per Chrysler specs that had high expansion rates and therefore requires higher piston to wall clearances when cold and therefore makes noise. That and the location of the wrist pin supposedly.
But my question to you all is --- have you head the same thing with your transplants?
It drives me nuts! Love the truck and the engine except for that.
In my old LA engines, a noise like this is BAAAAAAD. LOL