For Dodge owners and the shops that serve them, the cost of an engine replacement in 2026 spans a wider range than for almost any other manufacturer. The Dodge lineup runs from compact economy four-cylinders through legendary heavy-duty Cummins diesels, and the cost differences across that lineup are substantial. A 3.6L Pentastar swap in a Caravan is a different financial conversation than a 6.7L Cummins swap in a Ram 3500. The right way to budget the work is to build the bill up from its components.
Here's the itemized breakdown of what a Dodge engine replacement actually costs in 2026, with the specific ranges that apply to the most common Dodge platforms.
The Headline Range
A complete Dodge engine replacement in 2026 typically lands between $5,500 and $18,000+ total cost. The range looks wide because it spans economy gasoline platforms through heavy-duty diesel applications.
Gasoline V6 and V8 Dodge applications tend to fall in the $5,500–$11,000 range. Cummins diesel applications fall in the $11,000–$18,000 range and can exceed that for performance-built or specialized configurations. Hellcat and performance HEMI applications occupy a category of their own with substantially higher costs.
The total comes from four buckets: the engine itself, installation labor, supporting parts, and the inevitable extras like fluids, gaskets, and freight.
The Engine
Single biggest line item.
A new crate engine from Mopar Performance Parts runs $7,000–$15,000+ depending on platform. New crate options remain available for some Dodge engines, particularly performance HEMI variants. Price premium is real and warranty justifies it for higher-value applications.
A remanufactured long block from a reputable rebuilder is the most common path. Costs by family: 5.7L HEMI typically $4,000–$6,500, 6.4L HEMI 392 $6,500–$9,500, 6.2L Supercharged HEMI $11,000–$15,000+, 3.6L Pentastar V6 $3,500–$5,500, 5.9L Magnum V8 $3,000–$5,000, 4.7L PowerTech $3,200–$4,800, 5.9L Cummins 24-valve $7,500–$11,000, 5.9L Cummins Common Rail $8,500–$12,000, 6.7L Cummins $9,500–$13,000.
A low-mileage used engine from a documented donor vehicle runs roughly half of reman cost on most Dodge platforms. Price advantage is real. Warranty picture is different — typical coverage is 30–90 days against catastrophic failure only.
Installation Labor
Labor on a Dodge engine swap depends heavily on platform complexity and regional shop rates.
Independent shops in most US markets charge $1,800–$3,500 for a same-year same-family Dodge gasoline engine swap in 2026. The lower end applies to simpler platforms (3.6L Pentastar in passenger cars, 5.7L HEMI in Charger/Challenger). The upper end applies to more complex platforms or applications with tighter access (Durango, certain Ram configurations).
For Cummins diesel applications, labor runs $2,500–$4,500 due to the engine size, the diesel fuel system complexity, and the emissions equipment on newer variants.
For Hellcat and other performance HEMI applications, labor runs higher — $3,000–$4,500 — because of the supercharger, the specific cooling requirements, and the careful handling required for the high-value engine.
Dealership labor on the same job runs 30–60 percent higher. The work is the same; the shop rate is not. For most Dodge engine swaps, an independent shop with documented Mopar experience is the more cost-effective path.
Supporting Parts That Should Be Replaced
This is the line item that turns a $7,000 quote into a $9,000 invoice.
Motor mounts: $80–$400 in parts depending on platform. Replace them during the swap.
Water pump and thermostat: $150–$500. Replace during the swap.
Timing components if not included: $300–$1,200 depending on platform. Reman engines typically include new timing components. New crate engines almost always do. Used engines typically do not.
Belts, hoses, and clamps: $80–$400.
Spark plugs and ignition components: $150–$500 on HEMI applications (16 plugs on V8 HEMIs is the largest single-platform spark plug cost in the Dodge catalog).
For Cummins applications, fuel filters (multiple), and depending on engine condition possibly injectors or HPFP service items. Cummins supporting parts can add $500–$2,500 to the swap depending on scope.
Fluids: $100–$300 for oil, coolant, and filter. Use Dodge-specified weight and type.
Total supporting parts add $900–$3,000 to most Dodge engine swaps, with Cummins applications at the upper end.
The Hidden Costs
Freight: $300–$700 LTL for HEMI and Pentastar long blocks. Cummins diesel applications run higher freight due to weight: $500–$900.
Core charge: $400–$1,500 on reman units depending on engine. HEMI cores typically run $400–$800. Cummins cores can run $1,000–$1,500.
Emissions paperwork: $200–$700 in CARB states for gasoline applications. Higher for Cummins applications in CARB states, given the more complex aftertreatment compliance picture.
Tow charges: $100–$300 each way for gasoline applications. Higher for Cummins applications given vehicle weight.
Diagnostic time before the quote: $100–$200, sometimes credited toward the work.
Platform-Specific Total Cost Ranges
Caravan with 3.6L Pentastar: $5,500–$8,000 total. Engine $3,500–$5,500, labor $1,800–$2,300, supporting parts $700–$1,200.
Charger/Challenger with 5.7L HEMI: $6,500–$9,500 total. Engine $4,000–$6,500, labor $2,000–$2,800, supporting parts $1,000–$1,500.
Charger/Challenger SRT with 6.4L HEMI 392: $9,000–$13,000 total. Engine $6,500–$9,500, labor $2,200–$2,800, supporting parts $1,200–$1,800.
Challenger/Charger Hellcat with 6.2L Supercharged: $14,000–$20,000 total. Engine $11,000–$15,000+, labor $2,800–$3,500, supporting parts $1,500–$2,500.
Older Ram with 5.9L Magnum V8: $5,500–$8,000 total. Engine $3,000–$5,000, labor $1,800–$2,300, supporting parts $800–$1,300.
Older Ram with 4.7L PowerTech: $5,800–$8,500 total. Engine $3,200–$4,800, labor $1,800–$2,400, supporting parts $900–$1,400.
Ram 2500/3500 with 5.9L Cummins: $11,000–$15,000 total. Engine $7,500–$11,000, labor $2,500–$3,500, supporting parts $1,200–$2,500.
Ram 2500/3500 with 6.7L Cummins: $13,000–$18,000 total. Engine $9,500–$13,000, labor $2,800–$3,800, supporting parts $1,500–$3,000.
Year-mismatched or platform-mismatched swaps add $3,000–$8,000 to any of these baselines depending on swap complexity.
Where to Save and Where Not To
Safe places to save: sourcing reman instead of new on platforms where reman supply is strong (HEMI, Pentastar, Magnum). Using an independent shop with documented Mopar or Cummins experience instead of a dealer. Returning the old core in core-acceptable condition.
Unsafe places to save: skimping on the engine source. Skipping motor mounts, water pump, or thermostat during the swap. Skipping HEMI lifter verification or MDS-related component verification on reman units. For Cummins applications, skipping fuel filter and lift pump verification.
The clean way to budget a Dodge engine replacement is to add the engine, labor, supporting parts, and hidden costs separately before going shopping. Sourcing from a catalog that lists complete fitment and warranty terms up front — like our Dodge engine collection — keeps the engine line item from drifting once the project is underway.
