1. After we did the initial drop in of the new 8.3L into the Durango we pulled out the tape measure and decided that the firewall had to be pushed back. Though we looked at relocating the radiator and other engine components forward, we found that cutting the firewall out was the right way to do it. Chris Polanski marked the original firewall and, using a cutoff wheel, began the removal.1. After we did the initial drop in of the new 8.3L into the Durango we pulled out the tap 2. We knew that the 2 1/2-ton Rockwell's front third member was going to be a bit of an issue for how tall the new engine block is. Pushing the engine a little over a foot past the firewall allowed us to keep our custom multilink suspension. This keeps the Durango lower, helps balance the weight to the center of the rig, and places less mass over the front of the axle.2. We knew that the 2 1/2-ton Rockwell's front third member was going to be a bit of an is 3. Though the Viper block isn't any wider than the factory 5.9, the extra two cylinders and massive rear sump oil pan from the SRT-10 truck make the overall larger. To make the install easier we removed the front coils and the wheels from the Durango to get it as low as possible.3. Though the Viper block isn't any wider than the factory 5.9, the extra two cylinders an 4. The initial fit of the engine allowed us to learn a lot about what needs to be cut and how tight things will be for the headers, driveshafts, intake, and such. We borrowed an empty 48RE transmission housing from Big D's Tri County Transmission Service to mock everything up and learn how much more firewall modifications would be necessary.4. The initial fit of the engine allowed us to learn a lot about what needs to be cut and 5. One thing that make the 8.3L Gen III engines more desirable for engine swaps is the adapter plate that bolts to the back of the block. This allows the same 48RE automatic transmission that comes in the 3/4- and 1-ton Dodge Rams to bolt up with no modifications. The only catch is that you will need the flexplate from an SRT-10 truck since the camshaft bolt diameter is different from the standard diesel trucks.5. One thing that make the 8.3L Gen III engines more desirable for engine swaps is the ada 6. With the engine position determined, Momentum Performance fabricated us engine mounts that used bushing inserts from Mountain Off-Road Enterprises. Smaller engine bushings will likely equal more vibration that you can feel, but we don't see ourselves cruising the countryside in our Monster Mudder anytime soon.6. With the engine position determined, Momentum Performance fabricated us engine mounts t 7. Engine mounts were fabricated that use welded nuts on the backside of 1/4-inch plate to secure the block mounts. By using an additional plate that bolts to the engine mounts, we can easily slide the engine back to the mounts and bolt it in. This is crucial since there is no way to lower the engine straight down from the top.7. Engine mounts were fabricated that use welded nuts on the backside of 1/4-inch plate to 8. Since we no longer have a firewall, a new one needed to be fabricated by Paul Murray from Momentum. He molded a new firewall out of TIG wire, tacking pieces of it together to form the new shape. Since the engine now protrudes inside the cab, Murray needed to create a doghouse-style firewall.8. Since we no longer have a firewall, a new one needed to be fabricated by Paul Murray fr 9. Transforming a TIG-wire skeleton into a sheetmetal structure as finely tuned as this is nothing short of art. Without giving Murray's trade secrets away, we'll say that being handy with a brake and comfortable with sheetmetal are extremely important to creating a doghouse as complex as ours.9. Transforming a TIG-wire skeleton into a sheetmetal structure as finely tuned as this is 10. The doghouse is far from finished. We will need to make access holes for the engine and determine how to secure and seal it in the Durango. Another challenge ahead is relocating the accelerator and brake pedal since one of them no longer has a place.10. The doghouse is far from finished. We will need to make access holes for the engine an SOURCES Arrow Racing Engines Rochester Hills MI 248-852-5151 www.arrowracingengines.com Mountain Off-Road Ent. N/A www.mountainoffroad.com Big D's Tri County Transmission Service N/A National Speed Inc. N/A www.nationalspeedinc.com Momentum Performance www.momentumperformance.com By Ali Mansour Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
