Finally get to pretend I am one of the cool kids - Holley kit swap

[DionR]

My engine was originally a car engine, but I swapped the timing cover for a truck one because it moved the alternator away from the frame rail (which sometimes hit and sometimes didn't, never really figured that one out) and had better water pump ports to work with my radiator. I didn't have to do any crazy hoses that 180'd, they were pretty short and sweet.

I plan to use a stock LC/LX radiator which means a hose that crosses the engine from the PS to the DS on the bottom. I don't like it, but it is at least down low unlike the later truck setups and some GC's where the top hose 180's and crosses the motor up top. I figure if the factory has it working well and it fits my car and is cheaper than the aftermarket offerings I am going to overlook it and use the factory setup. As a bonus, even the radiator hoses should all be factory replacement parts. Only trick I have to work out is the expansion tank or if I add a fill in the upper radiator hose.

I'm still not 100% sure the high mount compressor would clear a factory steel hood with the underbracing. Maybe that was also before I fixed my driveline angle issue and the front of the motor was sitting high though.

I want to say I have seen some setups with the high mount AC compressor installed. But it hasn't been anything I have been paying close attention to so maybe they are running aftermarket hoods or something.

 

[Dantra]

I plan to use a stock LC/LX radiator which means a hose that crosses the engine from the PS to the DS on the bottom. I don't like it, but it is at least down low unlike the later truck setups and some GC's where the top hose 180's and crosses the motor up top. I figure if the factory has it working well and it fits my car and is cheaper than the aftermarket offerings I am going to overlook it and use the factory setup. As a bonus, even the radiator hoses should all be factory replacement parts. Only trick I have to work out is the expansion tank or if I add a fill in the upper radiator hose.



I want to say I have seen some setups with the high mount AC compressor installed. But it hasn't been anything I have been paying close attention to so maybe they are running aftermarket hoods or something.

I know you've talked about the 90 degree oil filter adapter but I can't rem if you locked into that. Pretty sure we've talked about the bottom hose.. But not certain of that either. Life is blurt some

With the 90, I had to create a hose, since the oil filter is right there. Running LX radiator and fans. I used a couple 90s and a stock lower hose. Here's some pics and a parts list...

 

[DionR]

I know you've talked about the 90 degree oil filter adapter but I can't rem if you locked into that. Pretty sure we've talked about the bottom hose.. But not certain of that either. Life is blurt some

Thanks for the list!

You've pointed out the hoops you had to jump through for your lower hose once before (I think?), and it did raise some concern for me. I did some research on it back then and for now I am feeling ok that it will work fine. But that will be an area that needs to be mocked up to see for sure.

Here's what I discovered when I looked into it.

My first thought was; how does the TRX route the lower hose? Since you are running a TRX adapter, they must have had a solution. The answer is, the factory ran the output from the water pump on the other side.

Kind of an interesting solution for avoiding having to route the lower hose all the way to the other side of the car. The TRX setup is the same as all the other HC FEAD setups so it might be possible to run the HC stuff without the SC belt, but the cost of a HC timing chain cover is kind of prohibitive. And Mopar wants $700+ for the water pump.

So then I looked at the adapter I am going to run. The application appears to be '12-24 Ram 1500 or 1500 Classic with a 5.7. So I went looking for pictures with the adapter installed and virtually came up blank. Best guess, there is an option that forces that adapter and most trucks don't come with whatever option that is.

I did find these though:

But this shot makes it look like it is still tight. Wish the fan had been rotated just a little more.

Then I found this image. I think it's the same adapter, but could be a trick.

Doesn't mean the Challenger lower radiator hose that I plan to run will fit though. Guess we will see.

 

[DionR]

Speaking of the HC FEAD, I do believe someone could run that setup without running the SC. Only reason I can think of to do this is if the plan was to someday drop a HC SC on the motor. But it might help with radiator hose routing, too.

I bet the HC water pump would bolt to the 5.7/6.4 TC cover and help with the routing, though. The AC compressor part number is the same between a 6.4 and 6.2, at least for the 2015 MY I checked. That would imply that the belt spacing is the same. And I really doubt the bolt pattern is different so I bet it would bolt on.

I think the big difference between the HC and regular TC cover is extra bosses for idlers. But Holley lists a separate oil pan for the HC applications so maybe there is more too it.

Seems that the HC water pump is kind of a rarer bird though, so prices are much higher. Too bad, it might be worth buying one to see how it bolts up and things fit.

 

[DionR]

I know you've talked about the 90 degree oil filter adapter but I can't rem if you locked into that. Pretty sure we've talked about the bottom hose.. But not certain of that either. Life is blurt some

With the 90, I had to create a hose, since the oil filter is right there. Running LX radiator and fans. I used a couple 90s and a stock lower hose. Here's some pics and a parts list...

View attachment 1716350243

View attachment 1716350244

View attachment 1716350245

View attachment 1716350246

View attachment 1716350247

View attachment 1716350248

View attachment 1716350249

I wouldn't change now, but couldn't you make a block off plate for the filter part and use the oil cooler fittings to run a remote filter? Not sure it is worth it, I am sure there are better setups. Just an idea that popped up while I was typing this.

I would love to run that TRX filter adapter and plumb in an oil cooler. But that's an idea for if the build gets more extreme and I would probably look at maybe running a HC water pump if that idea works.

 

[Dantra]

I wouldn't change now, but couldn't you make a block off plate for the filter part and use the oil cooler fittings to run a remote filter? Not sure it is worth it, I am sure there are better setups. Just an idea that popped up while I was typing this.

I would love to run that TRX filter adapter and plumb in an oil cooler. But that's an idea for if the build gets more extreme and I would probably look at maybe running a HC water pump if that idea works.

It was an unexpected obstacle. If a guy is gonna block the filter (Not sure that's possible), he might as well just run the remote filter kit. I think it's actually cheaper than the 90.

 

[DionR]

It was an unexpected obstacle. If a guy is gonna block the filter (Not sure that's possible), he might as well just run the remote filter kit. I think it's actually cheaper than the 90.

Agreed, it was just a random idea.

Not too later for you to swap to an HC water pump though.

I really do think it would bolt on and line up. But I don't know what I don't know. So you might need to take the bullet for the rest of us and try it out.

 

[DionR]

BTW, looks like the 90 degree adapter is Special Service Vehicles (e.g. Police) specific. That's why I couldn't find many that had the adapter.

Found that on a FB group (High Performance Rams) discussion that you (@Dantra) were part of. That's where the last picture in my post above came from.

 

[DionR]

Looks like the HC and 5.7/6.4 TC cover are different at the bottom.

5.7/6.4:

Hellcat:

Best guess is they pushed the cover and oil pan sealing surface out for the bigger oil pump. But I know an HC oil pump fits the standard cover so not sure why.

Either way, an HC TC cover would require a different oil pan or it won't seal. I'm betting the bolt pattern is the same, but there just isn't any material to squeeze the o-ring.

 

[DionR]

Just to follow up, I was curious why a different oil pan was required. The thought being, I know the HC cover has an extra idler boss, but the oil pan made me wonder if there were other differences that might make the WP not fit on a standard cover.

 

[DionR]

Ah, here's the gotcha on the HC WP swap.

If Mopar machines the HC cover such that the WP surface is a different distance than a standard cover, and then the HC WP is machined taller or shorter such that the overall distance to the WP pulley ends up being the same, bolting that HC WP to a standard cover might not result in the same pulley spacing.

I doubt they would do that, but it is certainly the unknown. It would result in the alternator and AC compressor being the same part, and making those checks pointless. And I don't see any other parts that would be common to check.

Ugh.

 

[DionR]

I'm going to say the HC WP will not bolt to a standard cover. Looks like there is one bolt in a different spot.

Shoot. I was getting excited about the idea.

Guess I will have to buy an HC cover now. Not.

 

[Map63Vette]

I wouldn't change now, but couldn't you make a block off plate for the filter part and use the oil cooler fittings to run a remote filter? Not sure it is worth it, I am sure there are better setups. Just an idea that popped up while I was typing this.

I would love to run that TRX filter adapter and plumb in an oil cooler. But that's an idea for if the build gets more extreme and I would probably look at maybe running a HC water pump if that idea works.

Not sure about the newer engines, but that's how I'm running my 06 5.7. I have a block off plate with o-rings bolted on the bottom and I run a remote filter kit (generic Summit setup) through the ports just above it. Factory had an oil temp sensor in one port, a plug in the other.

 

[DionR]

Not sure about the newer engines, but that's how I'm running my 06 5.7. I have a block off plate with o-rings bolted on the bottom and I run a remote filter kit (generic Summit setup) through the ports just above it. Factory had an oil temp sensor in one port, a plug in the other.

The VVT motors have the same options. And that is the easier way to do it if you want to run a remote filter. Using the TRX adapter to make a remote filter setup is probably a more difficult, expensive and complex way to do it.

 

[Dantra]

I'm going to say the HC WP will not bolt to a standard cover. Looks like there is one bolt in a different spot.

Shoot. I was getting excited about the idea.

Guess I will have to buy an HC cover now. Not.

Have you priced a HC water pump? Go have a look and let me know your thoughts I'd probably still have to fab other ****, using it too. I just finished fab'n my own throttle pedal mount.. I'll sell the USCT one. I'm sure it's fine for someone else. I just need boot room! There is no damn easy button for me... Please, NO MORE BULLETS

Not sure about the newer engines, but that's how I'm running my 06 5.7. I have a block off plate with o-rings bolted on the bottom and I run a remote filter kit (generic Summit setup) through the ports just above it. Factory had an oil temp sensor in one port, a plug in the other.

I think Dion was suggesting a filter block off on the 90, where the filter goes. Not the block

 

[Map63Vette]

Have you priced a HC water pump? Go have a look and let me know your thoughts I'd probably still have to fab other ****, using it too. I just finished fab'n my own throttle pedal mount.. I'll sell the USCT one. I'm sure it's fine for someone else. I just need boot room! There is no damn easy button for me... Please, NO MORE BULLETS



I think Dion was suggesting a filter block off on the 90, where the filter goes. Not the block

Ah, that would make more sense. I was thinking that the original block off had been around a long time. Not sure what you'd gain out of blocking off the adapter unless you had to run it for some other reason.

 

[DionR]

Have you priced a HC water pump? Go have a look and let me know your thoughts I'd probably still have to fab other ****, using it too. I just finished fab'n my own throttle pedal mount.. I'll sell the USCT one. I'm sure it's fine for someone else. I just need boot room! There is no damn easy button for me... Please, NO MORE BULLETS

RockAuto is showing one aftermarket one left for under $200. Better than the OEM one for $700+, assuming it isn't junk.

But I don't think it will work without the TC cover and oil pan. So bullet dodged there??

I am convinced though that it would all bolt up and fit though. What I found was $400 for a used TC cover, $200 for an aftermarket WP and $4xx for a different oil pan from Holley and you are golden. So maybe $1200 to put the lower radiator hose off the DS, plus the knowledge that if you ever wanted to run a HC SC, you are only the intake adapter plates and a crank pulley away.

I think Dion was suggesting a filter block off on the 90, where the filter goes. Not the block

Correct. It was just a random idea.