06 engine in an 03

[JLewis]

Hey guys, I found a 06 engine for a decent price that I am thinking of buying for my 03. Will this engine go right in and hook up to all my existing stuff (ecm, starter, transmission, etc)? It came out of a 06 4x2 dodge 2500 and my truck is a 03 3500 SRW nv5600. Anyone have any experience with this swap?

Thanks

 

[SRadke]

No. Mechanically it will but electronically not even close.

 

[SRadke]

Read here:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...07/215549-engine-replacement-2004-2006-a.html

 

[JLewis]

Thanks guys. I found an engine out of an 03. It says it's a vin 6. What does this mean? How do I know if mine is a vin 6 or does it not matter? Does it matter if it's out of a standard or auto or 4x4 to 4x2? Anything else I should check into before purchasing? Says it came out of a rear end collision truck, and that the motor runs great with 130k on it. My truck is a standard HO 4x4 QC SRW. Does it have to be an HO? Any tips would help. Thanks

 

[JLewis]

No ideas???

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The eighth digit of the serial number (VIN) refers to the original engine in the truck. C= high output; 6 = standard output. The High Output is a “better” engine in terms of valves, piston cooling, etc. the 2006 engine will work fine with the valve cover, wiring harnesses, and ECM from your 2003. Use the heater hose/pipe setup for manual or automatic transmission depending on what you have, vs. what the replacement engine came from. That means you only need to change it if you use an engine from an automatic transmission truck. You can use your 2003 block plate and flywheel. The manual and automatic transmission block plates are different at the starter mounting area. The piston bowls are different from 2003-4 vs. 2004. 5-2007 so if you replace injectors, be sure the nozzles are intended for the donor engine. The bodies and electrical solenoids of the injectors interchange.

 

[JLewis]

The engine is a SO. So what are the main differences? Will my NV5600 bolt up to it? Is the HO alot better of a motor, or is the SO just detuned to make less power so it does'nt blow the auto? Any advice as to whether or not I should use this motor, or look for a 03 HO? Thanks

 

[TCDiesel]

The engine is a SO. So what are the main differences? Will my NV5600 bolt up to it? Is the HO alot better of a motor, or is the SO just detuned to make less power so it does'nt blow the auto? Any advice as to whether or not I should use this motor, or look for a 03 HO? Thanks

The HO/SO component's differ some what, but that absolutely does NOT make the HO Superior in any form ONLY different. I Prefer the SO BC most SOs had the early CAM, this cam has prov-en to add mileage and engine life. Yes the HO has software that adds 55hp, but that can be easily overtaken with Smarty or T-DOG.

 

[JLewis]

Thanks TWest. Any other pros or cons? I was reading somewhere that the SO in the 2002's had lower fuel pressure or something which was due to the pump, and alot of the HO guys were putting the SO injection pumps on their engines. Will the SO engines handle as much power as the HO's? Are the SO's cams better, and why? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to find out as much as possible before purchasing this SO engine. Want to make sure it is as good as the HO I had in my truck. Thanks

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

the big question is why would you want an 06 engine, honestly I would rather have an 03 engine in my '06, I personally feel you get about 10% better few economy with the 03 early 04 engines, also likely less soot in the oil as well. I drove my dads truck which is identical to mine except its and early 04 mine is an 06, with me driving, I feel i got 10% better mileage in his truck than I would have gotten in mine.

 

[cerberusiam]

I was reading somewhere that the SO in the 2002's had lower fuel pressure or something which was due to the pump, and alot of the HO guys were putting the SO injection pumps on their engines. Will the SO engines handle as much power as the HO's? Are the SO's cams better, and why?

On a jerk pump the SO\HO designation made a difference. On a common rail engine the SO\HO was software only, all the rest of the components were the same.



As far as I have been able to determine the SO\HO cams are the same profile from 03 to early 04 which is what you want for your truck. They still use retarded timing and more overlap than the 24V cams but are no where near as bad as the +04. 5 cams.



An 03-04 SO with a Smarty will run just as good as any of the +04. 5 turcks and have less chance of melting/scuffing a piston due to the bowl design, spray angle, and injection events.



The only SO engine that would not be top of the line are the ones built before Nov 2002 as they might NOT have the gallery cooled pistons, but, even then the older style cooling worked quite well if you were not pushing huge amounts of power.

 

[JLewis]

So the only difference between the HO and SO is the software? I will probably purchase this 03 SO engine then. My computer from my HO motor and all of my wiring should work fine, right? Also by software do you mean the ecm for the SO, and does that mean that my HO ecm will up the HP to the 305 rating? I'm not really sure what you mean by software. As long as all the internal parts are the same I don't have any issues with purchasing this engine. Thanks for all your input, I really appreciate it.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yeah, when I say software I mean the program loaded in the ECU.



While nothing is 100% certain, I would do what you are suggesting and feel confident it will work.

 

[JLewis]

I found out the engine production date is 10/20/2002. Is this a bad thing? You mentioned that the engines built before Nov. 02 might not be as good. Do you have any more info on this? I would think that these first 3rd gen engines would all be the same seeing how it changed to the CR in these trucks. Thanks again

 

[jray]

Seems to me I recall the HO versions having a significantly better oil piston cooling system.

 

[cerberusiam]

I was under the impression they were also but remember this being discussed quite a while ago. The first 2 months of the SO had everything except the gallery cooled pistons then they were supposed to be the same internally after that. I think the October builds are fine but like any thing else the first 2-3 months of a new build could have some discrepencies.



Might be worth contacting Schieds or even Cummins to get the absolute truth about this. The only way you would even know is if you pulled the pistons and know what to look for. Unless one has pulled apart a couple hundred of these motors in that year range its hard to tell where or even if there are differences.



As far as making it bad, thats just not a factor if you are not looking for 1000 HP.

 

[TCDiesel]

Early 03 Cams (Are made somewhat different) then late Model 03 most 04 already factory install 04. 5+ cams ( the early 03 cams have not been manufactured for many years now, even the REMANS form Cummins 03/04 now have the new cam.

 

[JLewis]

Any ideas on this engine with the build date of 10/20/2002? Just want to make sure this engine is the one to get. Thanks

 

[TCDiesel]

That's the the engine I would want... . Whats the the Histroy?

 

[JLewis]

It came out of a 03 4x4 2500 QC auto. The truck had rear end damage, that must have bent the frame. I saw pictures of the truck and the front end is undamaged and it does'nt appear that it flipped over at all. The manufacturing date on the engine is 10/20/02 and I didn't get the hp ratings because they were blocked by the cp3 cover I think. I would assume it is the 250hp though due to it being located on the east coast. I know it is a SO, and from what I understand my HO ecm will raise the hp level to the 305 mark correct? Once again is this a good manufactured date engine? The miles were 136,000 and the price is $3000. Appears to be stock from what I can tell from the pics. Sound like a good buy? Thanks