I've been looking at a slew of later Dodge trucks recently and saw a few 2003-2005 Ram trucks with this engine and higher miles. I realize the valve seats are an issue just like the 3.7L and 4.7L engines. Since, there is more of an aftermarket for this engine I'm just wondering if there is a good choice for reconditioned cylinder heads, Edelbrock Cylinder Heads, or would a good used set of junkyard "Eagle" as they are called, be a good choice? I don't care about the performance aspect as I'm looking to use the stock exhaust, camshaft, and intake. Just looking at improving a weak spot if I happen to get one. I've read conflicting information about the "Eagle" swap onto an early Hemi. I've read it will raise the compression just doing the head swap and some sources say it will be 12.1 with the stock gaskets and elsewhere I've read 11.1 for the compression. Just wondering about this and I'm tossing the idea around in a worse case scenario. Thank you in advance.

I have a 07 charger that I bought from auction with two dropped valve seats (over heated, every single one I have seen drop a seat was overheated at some point), I stuck two nice use pistons in those holes and swapped an eagle top end on and now I have 12 to 1 compression and it runs awesome on pump premium. I just bought an 03 truck with the same problem and will do the same fix.

I have a brand new 2003 5.7 crate motor. been setting since new. I was wandering if i should pull the heads and get them pinned, or just run it being its a brand new motor ?

Did you have to get a tune. I would prefer not to get a tune especially the PCM takes a dump. Honestly, I'm just looking to make the engine more reliable without spending big money and using parts that I can get cheap. I could careless about power. The 5.7L Hemi in stock form already makes enough power for my purposes.

Here is my writeup about it, I did the writeup about a car and it is a little different in a truck, I think in a truck you need to get the adapters to keep your intake as the eagle intakes all have a different TB location that interferes with the 03-08 accessories. But either way no, a tune is not absolutely needed. Next time I get one in here I will do that write up also.


https://board.moparts.org/ubbthread...eagle-swap-on-early-5-7.html#Post3106431

Thank you Dave for that link. I haven't read it yet but, will have to read it when I get more time.