[Jorwood]

Hi guys, been lurking and just jumped in. I've recently bought a brand new Power Wagon. And I've arrived at the conclusion that it requires a hellcat engine with a cam and a pulley. I've got a whole host of questions as I'll be doing the swap myself. My wife was incredibly supportive of the idea as long as I make a video for my YouTube channel of the swap over. That said I'm looking to go with a used option for the transplant. Currently eyeing a TRX long block with 1k miles that came out of a whole car fire. More on that.

Current questions

With an unlocked PCM should I be able to add to my stock wiring harness to accommodate the supercharger and whatever else from the hellcat motor?

Has anyone had experience with an engine from a fire? The whole truck got absolutely roasted. All that's included is the engine and heads for about $4,500. What kind of questions would you ask of the wrecking yard before stepping into that? I'm hoping to buy a used take off super charger and reuse most of my accessories if they'll swap over. I'm hoping the heads will salvage but will look into edelbrock RPMs if needed.

Curious to get some thoughts. I'm open to the idea that going with the burnt up long block is a terrible choice and rerouting to a low mileage lift out engine.

Also it should be noted that on my own I'm in way over my head but I'll be bringing on the right help as needed.

 

[Ross61]

Let me see if I understand; you just paid somewhere in the mid $60K for a new truck and want to completely void the warranty by installing a different motor because....why?

To answer your concerns about buying and using a motor from burnt car and, the motor (by the sounds of it) was also part of the burning process.

a. EVERYTHING made with plastic or containing plastic is suspect and should be replaced.
b. IMO - with the HP the motor was designed for, I would do a complete tear down and inspection of the internals to include piston rings.
c. Good luck with adapting the current wiring harness in the new truck to the engine block (read: $$$$$)
d. Engine controller (PCM) is required (sounds like you have that figured out though).

Again, my opinion - first; don't swap out the motor of a new truck with a burnt up motor. If you have that kind of disposable income for that kind of project - do it right and buy a new or known good motor withall the accessories designed for it

 

[ScLeCo]

🤦‍♂️
Listen man, I'm trying to say this as nicely as I can.
Your idea is f'ing stupid.
If you want more power. Put in forged drop in pistons and rods and add a supercharger, like a whipple or magnuson.
That with a good fuel system will get you to 750-800hp easy.
More if you have access to e85.

 

[Mattm400]

Or better yet, just go get a TRX!!

 

[GreenMachine15]

I thought by the title it was a old power wagon pickup with a swap planned. Doing this to a new truck requires so much works, just do yourself a favor and buy a trx, and swap heavier axles under it.

This has to be a joke for a 1 poster lol

 

[baabootoo]

Yeah, me too. When I hear Power Wagon, I see this..............

 

[JoeC]

🤦‍♂️
Listen man, I'm trying to say this as nicely as I can.
Your idea is f'ing stupid.
If you want more power. Put in forged drop in pistons and rods and add a supercharger, like a whipple or magnuson.
That with a good fuel system will get you to 750-800hp easy.
More if you have access to e85.

I 1st want to say I think its nuts to buy a new vehicle (especially in these price ranges) w no miles, a full warranty, etc etc, and yank the motor out. I can see mods and accepting losing the warranty (though I've still avoided it), but to each his/her own. I guess I'm just not willing to assume unnecessary risk at these price points.
ScLeCo, I was thinking the exact same thing. Jorwood, I don't want you to think I mean that talking shit to you, bc I don't mean it that way AT ALL. If anything, as other commenters have, I mean it only to prevent you from making a HUGE mistake. First off, avoid that torched motor all together. As mentioned, every composite, plastic, electronic, etc etc is g-teed to be toast, and theres no g-tee that the rest of the motor is salvageable either! As ScLeCo said, an aftermarket blower and drop in pistons will give u MORE power than the swap, give u a blower less prone to failure, etc etc. OR, you could even get a pre-assembled 426, 440, etc fully forged stroker short block, port ur heads and supercharge THAT. The short block ready to go is only SLIGHTLY more expensive than you were actually considering spending on a torched motor that may/may not amount to a boat anchor and cool wall hangers for the garage. (Arrington performance, hhp, among many others offer them). AND I guarantee that the overall cost, AS WELL AS the amount of headaches/problems encountered, will be a fraction of what it costs/the trouble you will encounter trying to make the hellcat swap route work. OR, just get rid of the power wagon and buy the TRX! That would be cheaper, as well (and come w a warranty). Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck w it and hope your decision works out.

 

[SickToo]

I bought my Power Wagon brand new and started searching for a new motor for it right away. 1978 440 motor it came w was a dog

Installed ‘68 11.5:1 compression 440 w small solid lifter cam and all the outside stuff (hooker headers 850 Holley on a strip dominator mani etc). 3000 stall and a manual valve body trans. Ran mid 11’s @ 120mph w just a 150 shot early 1980’s

 

[Jorwood]

I 1st want to say I think its nuts to buy a new vehicle (especially in these price ranges) w no miles, a full warranty, etc etc, and yank the motor out. I can see mods and accepting losing the warranty (though I've still avoided it), but to each his/her own. I guess I'm just not willing to assume unnecessary risk at these price points.
ScLeCo, I was thinking the exact same thing. Jorwood, I don't want you to think I mean that talking shit to you, bc I don't mean it that way AT ALL. If anything, as other commenters have, I mean it only to prevent you from making a HUGE mistake. First off, avoid that torched motor all together. As mentioned, every composite, plastic, electronic, etc etc is g-teed to be toast, and theres no g-tee that the rest of the motor is salvageable either! As ScLeCo said, an aftermarket blower and drop in pistons will give u MORE power than the swap, give u a blower less prone to failure, etc etc. OR, you could even get a pre-assembled 426, 440, etc fully forged stroker short block, port ur heads and supercharge THAT. The short block ready to go is only SLIGHTLY more expensive than you were actually considering spending on a torched motor that may/may not amount to a boat anchor and cool wall hangers for the garage. (Arrington performance, hhp, among many others offer them). AND I guarantee that the overall cost, AS WELL AS the amount of headaches/problems encountered, will be a fraction of what it costs/the trouble you will encounter trying to make the hellcat swap route work. OR, just get rid of the power wagon and buy the TRX! That would be cheaper, as well (and come w a warranty). Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck w it and hope your decision works out.

Thanks for the thought out reply. I liked the idea of having "A hellcat engine" but if there's a better way I'm open to it. Although the HC engine does have more PR power I'd feel. Sounds like the burnt engine is a no go, and for that I appreciate the feedback from everyone that chimed in on that. I'll also say I'm shocked at how worked up people get about how other people spend their money. We're all in a boat where we're spending $60k + on a car (or truck in my case)... would have thought we'd all be past that. When you see a guy break the bank on a passion project that you would never do, let it go...

I also cross shopped the TRX. But you'd have to completely re engineer the front suspension and end up about similar or more money in for a truck I don't like the looks of to make it go where the PW goes, so that why I skipped that option.

 

[Epat]

two guys bought brand new power wagons and want to install new motors right away. This tells me to stay away from the power wagons

 

[JoeC]

I bought my Power Wagon brand new and started searching for a new motor for it right away. 1978 440 motor it came w was a dog

View attachment 582302

Installed ‘68 11.5:1 compression 440 w small solid lifter cam and all the outside stuff (hooker headers 850 Holley on a strip dominator mani etc). 3000 stall and a manual valve body trans. Ran mid 11’s @ 120mph w just a 150 shot early 1980’s

Awesome truck! Even more awesome that u are the original owner and have kept it all these years. My buddy has the same truck in black (it is unusually loaded w options too). Btw, my previous comment about thinking it nuts to swap a motor in a new vehicle was in reference to currently new, or recently built, modern fuel injected vehicles that are computer controlled w/a slew of electronics, sensors, etc. When talking about a non-computer controlled, carbureted vehicle as u are, I don't think its crazy or foolish AT ALL. Especially considering that performance was probably at its worst during the time period ur truck was built due to emissions and fuel. Hell, id have done they same had i bought ur truck in 78 instead of being born that year.😁

 

[Jorwood]

I've been looking at aftermarket supercharger options and dropping in rods and pistons. Seems like it's still gonna cost similar. I'm wanting to understand why you can add an aftermarket super charger and use the original wiring harness and pcm but the thought of using the Hellcat system seems to be so much more daunting? Again I'm over my head but still looking for an answer on that.

Thanks!

 

[Himmelkat]

Can't you get an adapter for the engine from Dodge?

 

[GreenMachine15]

I've been looking at aftermarket supercharger options and dropping in rods and pistons. Seems like it's still gonna cost similar. I'm wanting to understand why you can add an aftermarket super charger and use the original wiring harness and pcm but the thought of using the Hellcat system seems to be so much more daunting? Again I'm over my head but still looking for an answer on that.

Thanks!

I hellcat drivetrain is going to cost you 2.5x what an aftermarket SC will cost. Then factor in all the labor. Aftermarket SC kits come with a tune ready to run it.
By the time you get this swap done you will have nothing but milky way wrappers and regerts.

 

[ScLeCo]

I hellcat drivetrain is going to cost you 2.5x what an aftermarket SC will cost. Then factor in all the labor. Aftermarket SC kits come with a tune ready to run it.
By the time you get this swap done you will have nothing but milky way wrappers and regerts.

To answer the question, the wiring harness and sensors were designed and built for that truck and engine. When swapping in a hellcat engine you're going to run into a dozen little issues that are hard to diagnose and even harder to fix. It's not impossible but it is much much harder to get right. I mean if you're some kind of electrical genius and can build your own custom wiring harness and can reprogram your BCM, TCM, and ECM then go for it. But, it sounds like you're not and you can't in which case my original suggestion stands.
I've been down this road before and I promise you it's good advice.

 

[Jorwood]

View attachment 582345

To answer the question, the wiring harness and sensors were designed and built for that truck and engine. When swapping in a hellcat engine you're going to run into a dozen little issues that are hard to diagnose and even harder to fix. It's not impossible but it is much much harder to get right. I mean if you're some kind of electrical genius and can build your own custom wiring harness and can reprogram your BCM, TCM, and ECM then go for it. But, it sounds like you're not and you can't in which case my original suggestion stands.
I've been down this road before and I promise you it's good advice.

Thank you for the response. That's the kind of answers I'm looking for. The mechanical work I can do. The electrical I cannot.

 

[Ross61]

TBH, and based on what I have seen at SEMA, it would likely be easier to drop the Hellcat motor into a 70's power wagon or better yet, into a 60's Apache. You will garner more than a few trophies if going the route.

 

[Cerino2000]

Gotta say…your life will be WAY easier doing the drop on pistons and a supercharger. In either case I think you MIGHT be a little disappointed depending on your expectations. My TRX was great with that hellcat motor BUT it was still a truck. Don’t expect neck breaking power like is experienced by many people the first time they get behind the wheel of a hellcat. If you go with the drop-ins, at least you can decide the level of power you upgrade too.

 

[Unavowed]

FBO TRX > FrankenWagon.

 

[Xylander]

I feel like I've said this before... but here goes again.

I won't harp on the lunacy, as it will literally be cheaper to get a TRX with the added warranty than to shove in a Hellcat motor. The big issue is, however, that the swap is federally illegal. -IF- you get caught, they can impound the vehicle and force you to remove the engine and the fine is in excess of $25,000.

The truck will also be uninsurable by anyone outside of a specialty insurance company, and specialty insurance won't insure more than 1-2k mi per year and you won't be able to use it to haul anything... unless you lie about the swap to your insurance. If you do lie to them and file a claim, they'll drop your coverage and refuse the claim. Hopefully that refuted claim isn't for someone else's loss or you'll be out of pocket for not only your truck, but any damage you caused.

Illegal engine swaps, especially on brand new cars, are things I've seen done... but I don't recall ever seeing one that ended well.