2003 Ram 2500 V10 into 78 Chrysler New Yorker

Oldiron440

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2017
Messages
3,048
Reaction score
738
Location
Iowa
If I was starting from scratch it would be a gen 3 turbo combination favor of the big block.
 

BudW

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
5,121
Reaction score
1,485
Location
Oklahoma City
I think the 3.5 swap would be interesting, would need a trans from an LX car..... custom headers, engine and transmission management could be adapted from the Visions controllers, maybe.
A 3.5L swap should be easier than a Gen3 Hemi swap – possibly.
You will have engine set further back in engine compartment for better front/rear weight bias and a lot of room in front of engine

I “would” think (no actual knowledge here) finding parts from an “LX” car (2005-2010 Charger, 300, Magnum), like the transmission, pulleys/brackets, computer. Wiring, etc. might be easier to find. I know the Pull-A-Part close to me may have 20 of LX vehicles to each one “LH” cars (1993-2004 Concorde, LHS, 300M, and Eagle Vision).

The LH cars really didn’t sell well and I don’t know of many owners who kept them. The LX 300’s and Chargers – is a different story.

I have no actual knowledge here, again – but if I was to guess, I would say the RWD (Rear Wheel Drive) version of 3.5L block is different from the FWD (Front Wheel Drive) – because of engine mount placement. The 3.5L was used in a lot of different body’s – so I could be way off base. The LH body has a North/South engine layout with a transaxle where the other FWD Chrysler vehicles used an East/West engine layout.

Also, I would guess headers for a 3.5L LX body may have a decent chance of fitting an FMJ body. The problem is finding a set.


If possible, I would recommend performing four different measurements- if at all possible – before the change.
- Measure the center line of front crankshaft to ground (or to another fixed location. To help, a person might be able to install a socket onto front crankshaft bolt (assuming it fits snug) and measure from it. Just make sure you add (or subtract, depending on which way you measure) 1/2 the thickness of the socket.
- Do the same for transmission yoke to ground.
- Measure the centerline of front crankshaft to either side frame rail. I would mark the location on your frame rail for future reference.
- Do the same with transmission yoke to frame rail (or some other fixed point).
Using a drive-on rack – makes this measurement easier.

On all Chryslers, the engine and transmission are offset to passenger (Right) side about 2 inches (about 5 cm) but is parallel to the centerline of car, to reduce driveline vibration.
There is also an engine/transmission downward angle – which is also used to control vibration.
I would highly recommend keeping both angles close to original, no matter what powertrain gets installed – if possible.
BudW
 

BudW

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
5,121
Reaction score
1,485
Location
Oklahoma City
If I was starting from scratch it would be a gen 3 turbo combination (in?) favor of the big block.
I would agree with that statement - but not sure about the turbo aspect, per se.

The bad side to that statement is I already have a garage full of big block parts . . . and not single Gen3 Hemi part.
Not really interested in starting over . . .
BudW
 

Oldiron440

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2017
Messages
3,048
Reaction score
738
Location
Iowa
The bad side to that statement is I already have a garage full of big block parts . . . and not single Gen3 Hemi part.
Not really interested in starting over . . .
BudW
I'm in the same position.
 

80mirada

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
1,567
Reaction score
620
Location
Wisconsin, Fort Atkinson
There are three 3.5 blocks, iron (93-97), early aluminum (98-2004/5), late aluminum (05-11). There isn't a functional difference in the early and late aluminum blocks, really more of a casting technology change. All three are dimensionally the same. I had both generations of Intrepids, they were great cars anf the 3.5 is a tough little powerhouse
 

BudW

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
5,121
Reaction score
1,485
Location
Oklahoma City
The 3.6L engine has variable valve timing and has the oil filter on top side of engine.
It is a built from scratch engine – so nothing interchanges with it, parts wise - except for the 3.0L and 3.2L size variants. The 3.6L (Pentastar – I think is what it is called), replaced the 3.5L engine in 2011


The 4.0L V6 engine is based off of the 3.3L/3.8L V6 (which has been around for decades) and I "think" it also has variable valve timing.
They say it is based off of the 3.3L/3.8L engine – but comparing both side by side – I don’t much which is the same. The engine oil filter is on bottom of engine (whereas the 3.6L is on top of engine).

I always thought having an oil filter on topside of engine was a foolish thing to do – but in actuality, it is not messy at all. A lot less messy than messing around with a normal oil filter. A person could perform an oil change on a 3.6L, in your tux, without getting greasy, just before going to a wedding – if one wanted to . . .

A 3.5L has a lot more power than what a 3.8L/4.0L makes. I've driven a 3.6L - but hadn't done a side by side test on the two (3.5L vs. 3.6L). I would "guess" the 3.5L makes more power - and is the V6 I would use.
BudW
 

89.Fifth

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2015
Messages
444
Reaction score
110
Location
New York, NY
The 4.0 wasn't based off the 3.3/3.8, it's just a bored stroked 3.5

Trust me, I used to own an LH car and the 4.0 Pacifica swap was big talk. I used to have very detailed data on the LH program and all the engineering that went into it. The 4.0 was a 32 Valve motor whereas the 3.3/3.8 were 16 Valve. There are some similarities but it's like Comparing a 318 Poly and 318 Magnum
 

77 LeBaron

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2017
Messages
130
Reaction score
11
Location
Dixie
The 4.0 wasn't based off the 3.3/3.8, it's just a bored stroked 3.5

Trust me, I used to own an LH car and the 4.0 Pacifica swap was big talk. I used to have very detailed data on the LH program and all the engineering that went into it. The 4.0 was a 32 Valve motor whereas the 3.3/3.8 were 16 Valve. There are some similarities but it's like Comparing a 318 Poly and 318 Magnum
89 Fifth I believe you are wrong on the 4.0 being a bore stroked 3.5L , maybe I read the article wrong though . Jeep 4.0 liter six cylinder engine
 
Last edited:

80mirada

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
1,567
Reaction score
620
Location
Wisconsin, Fort Atkinson
There are two totally different 4 liter engines. The inline six Jeep engine and the V6 used in minivans and the Pacifica. The V6 is based on the 3.5 engine from the LH cars. The inline six is based on the AMC Rambler engine.
 

89.Fifth

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2015
Messages
444
Reaction score
110
Location
New York, NY
89 Fifth I believe you are wrong on the 4.0 being a bore stroked 3.5L , maybe I read the article wrong though . Jeep 4.0 liter six cylinder engine

The inline 6 was never used in the Liberty/Nitro or Pacifica. The 4.0 I'm talking about was the V6

4-V6-2.jpg


And here is the 3.5 V6 (First Generation with different intake) Notice the valve cover design and timing chain cover design

11896435Chry1jp_00000068852.jpg
 
Back
Top