has anyone used these $129 pistons or the $369 rebuild kits?

These ?

No,………..but They can't be any worse than the stock 03-08 junk

These
Yes , A to B soccer mom , Aspen there fine no worse than the stock junk that's in the 03-08 Hemis

My 2007 5.7 stock junk has gone 172,000 miles so far, so I think this stuff could be worse...

If you’re spending the money anyways, buy the NPR pistons and rings off eBay. NPR (Nippon Piston Ring) makes a lot of pistons and rings for OEM Japanese engines and aftermarket. They are good quality. Both sets of pistons I got from them were weight matched with 5 grams and the piston pins were 0.10 to 0.20 grams of each other. For a daily driver, weekend cruiser they are a fantastic buy. I would purchase again in a moment...

Enginetech sells a lot of the same parts as bigger name/higher priced brands. I'd have no problem using any of their parts and have used some in the past with no issues.

I would by Quality Bearings, rings and Timing gear set. The rest you can get by with the cheaper. No job is fun doing a second time

They should be fine in a stockish build. However, they don’t like 7000 rpms and being topped with eagle heads taking the compression over 12 to 1. Ask me how I know. Lol

Yes for my wifes new 04 Durango(non mds). Nothing crazy , just a get to work car. The plan so far

Ebay re man heads $550

Ebay engine kit $369

Ebay intake $18 and exhaust bolts $60

(still need the stuff below)

New intake manifold

new timing chain

new oil pump and pan

used block

a few used rods

I figure when she is done with it I can repurpose the engine for another project.

Thanks guys for the advice. Is there anything else to look for on this engine? This is my first one of these.

I have few stock cranks laying around if you need a crank.

For what your going to have into it, why not just buy a reman engine?

Because bent and broken rods and a block with a hole in it do not qualify as a good core for exchange.

Today I picked up two engines complete minus one intake and one oil pan so it looks like I have enough stuff to start on the short block.

Alright took a couple of minutes to look over these two engines. First one has a scored rear rod journal and a spun number 4 cam bearing stuck to the cam. Number seven rod big end is discolored. Also noticed the driver outside of the block is real rusty. Popped the heads off number two a little light rust in a couple of the bores with the pistons at TDC , and a lot of sludge. Both sets of heads look good at a glance so I am pretty happy at this point. Will tear em both down next week, right now gotta get ready for the Bantam jeep fest this weekend. I take it the MDS plugs get replaced with new ones because they aint movin before I break the little squares off.

My same year Ram 1500 has 307,000 miles and is still running fine.

Is all the hardware (rod, main, head, oil pan)TTY on these?

If you swap it all to ARP stuff does this go away?

the Rods , Main and Head are TTY

Are main and rod bolts available someplace other than the dealer? Stock stuff here. No arp hot rod stuff. Block has been welded up at is at the shop for .020 overbore and 1 sleeve. Should be back next weekend. I bought all sealed power bearings for it per some advice here.

I haven't seen them other than some E-Bay engine builders who sell off left over sets
Link won't work but this guy has a set of rods bolts

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SET-OF-16-NEW-HEMI-5-7L-ROD-BOLTS-DODGE-CHARGER-MAGNUM-CHRYSLER-300-JEEP/253804774275?hash=item3b17f18383:g:HmgAAOSwidlZZYCG

I got some Head bolts through ebay , they werent what i expected to recieve. DNJ was the brand on the box, made in china . I used them anyway .
over 100 1/4 mile passes and lots of street miles, no issues.

I believe the cam bolt is also tty.

DNJ is made in china stuff. Enginetech sells a lot of the bigger name brands at a lower price, sometimes it even comes in the manufacturers box. You can buy enginetech and others from rockauto also.