The Gen3 hemi swap is certainly the most complicated and expensive but can also be the most rewarding.
I was at a cruise in awhile back and some guy had a flat head V8 in a Pinto wagon. There certainly is over a dozen other better and easier swaps. But it was his vision and I have to admit it was cool. You don't see that everyday.

A 318 built to achieve the same HP would have less torque and get horrible mileage.
I am rarely on the side of new tech but I am willing to consider it. The benefits must outweigh the expense. A 100,000 mile 5.7 can be bought for under $1000. Build a better 318 or 360 for that! Even with the stand alone controller, you are not breaking the bank. I have 338,000 on my 2007 truck so 100,000 miles is no problem.

uh huh ain't that the truth.

The first-generation 5.7 liter “new Hemi” produced up to 350 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 375 lb-ft of torque (4,400 rpm). It wouldn't take a lot of effort to get a 318 into that area and still get 12+ mpg.

Its kind of funny that back in the 80s, you couldn't give a 318 away. I remember a huge amount of threads right here on Moparts where the comments were "its a waste of money to build 318s" and nearly anything was better.

Now, all these years later, the same guys that were blasting the 318s back a few years ago are promoting building one up instead of stepping up to a much better motor with the 5.7. So did the 318s suddenly become so much better motors then they were when they were new?

You guys are sure good for a laugh. Gene

Plus it's easy and somewhat cheap to stroke one too these days.

I absolutely LOVE the Mopar small block 318, 340 and 360. I have sentimental reasons, and am generally old school. I always want at least one. But I realize that there's more to the HP and gas money tradeoff. There's driveability. The cold starts, the smooth idle, the ability run accessories and still have all that power. The '09 and up with eagle heads is a stock 370/395 and idles as smooth as silk with cold a/c and all the accessories. Easy cold and hot starts, and none of the carb issues, and still 18mpg.

I wish I had the balls to build up a nice truck/jeep with a Hemi, but I have too many projects now. Tim

So are you going for it or what? We are doing this to my sons starting this fall after football is over.