swap out 3.5L HO V6 with HEMI or just try to trade toward loaded R/T?

[QuaZi ET Gremlin]

So my mag's been in the shop for a little over 6 months now, and i'm finally getting her back soon after long battles with insurance and parts dealers givin me bad parts... it prevented me (both timewise and financially) from building up my SXT to be more powerful and efficient than it was stock, but made me realize, i don't want the V6... it was never that powerful or efficient to begin with, and doing similar work to a HEMI would yield similar efficiency but obviously a lot more power...

The Question:

Do i just try to trade in towards a loaded R/T? or do I try to build my car from the engine back?

she's an 05, with only 38,000 miles, but I've had to replace 2 wheels, the battery, the fuel tank, a control arm, the front bumper and a fog light in the past year, so i've already unhapilly dropped plenty of money on her, and if it's cost effective, i'd like to put some dollars into making her what I want. I know I need the engine (5.7L HEMI, she's still gonna be my daily driver so no need for the 6.1), an engine-back exhaust system, upgraded brakes, upgraded air intake, but what else? also note, if i keep her, i'm gonna look for a heated leather driver's seat as well lol

Thanks for any advice in advance!

[jkelly16]

You'll be cheaper in the long run to trade up if you want the larger engine. So many things have to be swapped to upgrade.

[jaxdon]

Yes, it is certianly cheaper and easier to just get a R/T with the 5.7..
On the heated seats, they were in my R/T when I got it. Nothing I really wanted, being in Sunny SoCalifornia. But after a few cold mornings, (in the 50s and 60s), we do like them.. Go for it!
Jack Smith
2006 R/T
SoCal