I have an early 5.7 block I was going to use to rebuild the engine for my 2004 Durango.I have since found a new/NOS factory crate engine for the Durango so that is settled.I have a 318 powered A-100 van that I was contemplating a 340 or 360 Magnum build for as it is a simple swap.Now that I am collecting late Hemi parts,I'm thinking carbed 5.7 for the van and take advantage of the head flow/power potential.The original heads from the Durango are ok (this engine hydro-locked and broke a rod/block) and undamaged,but to rebuild them with new valve seats,etc.is around $1200 from a good local shop.My question is would it be worth changing to 6.1 or later Eagle/Apache heads on a stock stroke 5.7 build? I've seen low mile 6.1 heads for similar rebuild cost money,not sure what the later heads cost.I would be replacing rods and pistons with better parts, especially the rods! The A-100 is a light vehicle and with the intended use as a street/hot rod I think the stock stroke is sufficient.Probably enough fun for the cab over experience!
RT

Personally I say leave the 6.1 heads to the SRT* resto guys, get a set of Eagles, Hit E-bay there always listed. some great deals on reman's or low mileage heads.
The stock 5.7 crank is not a bad piece under 600HP,6500RPM.Stock rods are also ok under 500HP, the stock pistons for the pre Eagle are F--King junk.

Great Combo , Comp XFI268 or XFI273 cam, DSS 6500X or 6510X pistons(difference is .945 VS .927 wrist pin) they are a -5CC piston, yields about 10.5 with Eagle heads.
A 6.1 Crank if you have to have a forged crank.
as for rods that your choice, so many out there now, every one has a brand that has worked well for them.
Arrow(prefix) intake or OCP intake (with the 268 cam).
That's my $02 worth

Also let me throw this in to the mix, the stock Valve springs on the Eagles, will handle both of those Comp cams or you could use a stock 6.1 cam.

Have you used the dss pistons? I saw they make them in 3.917 and why I was interested in them... hate to bore a block for pistons when it doesn't need it. Was trying to find a combo of pitons/rods close enough not to have to get it balanced.

Twice in G3s and a few times in LS builds, Ford guys have loved them for a while now. They match sets well,
Both builds were .04 over bore with .927 wrist pin ,stock stroke 5.7s. Both engines were balanced. I haven't used them in a "drop in" build.

Thanks for the replies guys.I was thinking Eagle heads might be a good option. Is the intakes the same port/bolt pattern as the early heads?
RT

Bolt pattern yes, shape no, Eagles,6.1s and Apaches are the same port opening,03-08 5.7s are a smaller shape.

I looked them up and looked to be big in the ford world, some ls guys use them, but your the first I saw mention them in a hemi. I keep trying to find some drop in combo like modernhemi sells that won't require balancing, but no luck... rods are heavier, pistons lighter, but no match yet or even close. If I'm going to pay 1600 for rods/pistons, I'm spending another 600 or so so and getting a balances stroker assembly.

Kinda doing something similar. I have a 03 5.7 Block and cast crank and eagle heads. Not wanting to do overkill on the Pistons and Rods without spending a fortune, Looking at doing 09 and up VVT rods and pistons and do a rebalance because the VVT pistons are a different weight, but the advantage is they are stronger than the early pistons and rods and have the lower compression ratio...The DSS pistons have me thinking, if I was to invest in a steel crank and over 500 hp , I might go that route. The challenge is to find a used set that havent been damaged from improper removal

Are the 6.1 connecting rods any different or better that the early 5.7 rods?It's difficult to compare part numbers since they are sold with pistons installed.
RT

I have heard they are they are all the same but that is wrong, the early 5.7 had puny rods that break frequently in stock well taken care of motors. The eagle 5.7 rod is slightly better, not sure when the switch was but somewhere in the last few years (between 11 and 15) the eagle rod is now full floating but was not at first, the 6.4 apache rods are a ton beefier and the ones I have seen are all full floating. The full floating rods have bronze bushings. I have not compared a BGE 6.4, 6.1 or hellcat rod side by side to the others to tell you what you are getting, I would assume the hellcat and BGE are at least as good as the apache, and have heard from several people who should know that the 6.1 rod is the same as the early 5.7 but full floating.

I used a set of eagle piston/rods in my 04 rams 5.7... not a high hp engine, but no vibration at all.

I will know in a few days, I just ordered a set of 09 pistons and rods. I will weigh them. Im thinking the Piston might be lighter. Silver70 What was your specs.? Im not planning a Hi HP build either.

Just a pretty basic rebuild of a high mileage 04 5.7. It still has the early heads and I had them milled .020 to get the compression back up some. It was more of a use what I had on hand than anything else as the engine had multiple spun rod bearings.

6.4s are the better rod, they are 6.2 Length,.945 wrist pin, the 6.1 rods are 6.242 with a .984 wrist pin, both are Forged Powder metal(what ever that is)
,

*******I'm not 100% on this but I believe forged crank Eagle 5.7s(pursuit and 2500/3500 trucks) starting in 2014 have full floating pins , and the STD passenger car and 1500 series trucks are still pressed till 2016
Or Eagle engines with 3 bolt tone wheel are pressed and 4 bolt tone wheel are full floating.
AGAIN I'M NOT 100% sure

Ric3xrt,

I was not aware any 5.7's had forged cranks. That is cool. Are they as good as the srt cranks?

In Larry Shepards G3 Hemi Book on page 38-40 covers connecting rods in some kinda detail. it shows the VVT rod with a strap ridge stiffener between the two rod bolts , not too much other than that that he describes that its stronger, how much is open for debate...I should be able to do a comparison between the two when the VVT rods get here in a few days

Good link with comparisons to early and eagle stuff:

5.7 hemi rebuilders

Not really sure how much that part on the strap helps... all the ones I've seen break were on the upper beam part.

A update on the weights of the VVT vrs Non VVT rod and pistons , Minus bearing but rings and piston pins, its 303.3 grams for Non VVT Piston rod assembly and 331.7 grams for VVT, quite a difference . Looking to do a balance on the crank

I think you got those numbers wrong... just a stock piston weighs more than 3xx grams. A non eagle rod is around 600. The early piston with pin and rings connected to a stock rod with bolts no bearings, I get about 1205 grams.