I have read a lot of posts on doing this swap. I realize that there is a wide range of cost when doing something like this as every car/truck is not the same, but what I want to know is the cost (not counting the engine) of the retrofit. I don’t want an opinion, guess, why I should do something else, or someone who is in progress of a swap. I want someone who has completed the swap, worked out all the bugs, and have a good idea (+- $1000) of what the whole ordeal cost them. It is hard to get a good figure of what the finished product ended up costing. I would also like to know if they had it to do all over again would they? A rough time estimate would be nice too, but I realize I am already asking a lot. I think answers to this question would help a lot of us with the decision. I am not scared of the electronic/wiring part I just would like to get an overall cost of this swap. As always thanks for anyone’s input.

Would love to hear actual results as well: Things ALWAYS cost more than anticipated, and few people really track it.

As an example, here's what it cost to put in a "$400 Dana".

Here is what I have come up with so far:

Motor mounts $336
Headers $600
Flex plate $133
Radiator/fans $700
Kickdown cable $128
ECM flash/wiring $1,999
Milodon oil pan $419
Fuel pump $211
Regulator $179

TOTAL $4705

Some of the parts may not be necessary, but I would rather overestimate than underestimate. What am I missing?

I'm on the fence between this swap, and going with a 408 for my AAR Cuda... I really want to go with the Hemi, I just don't want to start a project like this, then get in too deep and realize I don't have the cash to get things running again... After the garage fire, I really want the car running by next year, so all the help and info I can get on this is greatly appreciated...

I know the more I dig in the higher the price tag goes. I was trying to decide between a 440 stroker or this route. The more I think about it the more I lean tward the 440. Even with the parts already listed the price tag will go up from things that you just don't think of; plus there is the fact that I would probably get a scrapyard motor and you really don't know the condition of it. It will most likely be o.k. but you don't have any way to be sure other than hear it run before they remove it from car.

Well, I thought I would put in my 2 cents on this subject.
I will be putting a 71 Charger together and my thoughts were to maybe install a 5.7 Hemi into the car. Now it has been over a year since I did my calculations but at that time it was going to cost me double to install a 5.7 Hemi that I was going to purchase from my local salvage yard So..my car is getting a rebuilt Big block 383 or 440, it may not have a Hemi but it will be a lot cheaper to build.

Got about 10K in mine, BUT new crate motor when they first came out, helped vendors with errors on their 5.7 swap parts, etc.. Don't know if I'd do it again, too much work back then, may be easier now. My build is in the archives.

-Daty

I just went through the fuel system upgrade on my 5.9 Magnum swap.

You either have to try to buy or build a baffled the fuel tank in an attempt to keep the fuel pump submerged when you get below about half a tank or run a surge tank system. From what i've seen out there from aftermarket tank manufacturers and do-it-yourself kits, their tanks are really only minimaly baffled, are mildly effective and are pretty expensive.

Surge tank systems are less expensive than a custom tank and way more effective at providing air free fuel even at very low fuel levels with a stock tank. I used a Radium Engineering surge tank with internal EFI pump.

Unless you run a returnless style system, you will have to plumb a return line to your tank. I used 3/8ths supply and return.

mine so far is
new 05 5.7 $1800 awesome deal
headers, 400
oil pan and pic up 280
05 ram harness 75
A500 trans and converter 300
a good friend that works for dodge so i have access to the computers for the wiring, PRICELESS
just need to figure out a fuel system,
and flex plate, gas pedal,