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The early 5.7's were never designed for anything more then what they did and as soon as they started going over 400 hp the cylinders would not stay round. That's part of the reason SRT came out with the 6.1's so they could design in reinforcements inside the casting to increase the structural integrity that was needed for the increase in horsepower.



I don't know about that, the early 5.7's (03-05) are supposed to be the beefiest of the early blocks and plenty of them well over 600 HP and I've never heard of a cylinder wall distortion issue, especially at 400 HP, which is pretty low. As a matter of fact the 5.7 is supposed to have beefier cylinder walls than a 6.1 as a general rule. The 6.1 was designed on its own merit and not because of a "problem" with the 5.7, I'd even guess the 6.1 was designed almost side by side with the 5.7 at the onset of Gen III HEMI design (2000 ish?)



Actually the block was ready for 2002 production in trucks, but Mercedes having just acquired Chrysler, did not like the fact that the block did not have MDS provisions, and didn't want two different blocks. The redesign is what delayed the 5.7 until 2003, and why the 5.9 Magnum was used instead. My understanding is that SRT group designed the 6.1 to their specs. SRT and Mopar Performance are separate groups that didn't (maybe still don't) play well together. MP wanted to release the 6.1 as a crate motor, but SRT wasn't having it. MP then stroked a 5.7 and offered it carb'd or injected, if I remember something over 500 HP. This started a [Edited by Moparts - Family Friendly Site - Keep it clean] storm between SRT and MP. As you can see, 6.1 blocks will be available now that SRT is done with them. 6.2 and SRT 6.4's are available now, but only as short blocks in the 4K range.

Craig Scholl
CJD Automotive, LLC
Jacksonville, FL
www.CJDAUTOMOTIVE.com
904-400-1802

"I own a Mopar. I already know it won't be in stock, won't ship tomorrow, and won't fit without modification"