5.7 Fuel Line to 6.1 Fuel Rail Question

[Dodgeboy77]

I picked up a 6.1 fuel rail to put in my 5.7 Challenger. I know I have to re-bend it at the rear corners to clear the plastic intake.

Will the supply fuel line from the firewall hook up to the 6.1 rail? It looks like it comes from that side (or the middle) but I don't know if it's long enough or if the connector is compatible.

If it doesn't fit, what is involved in replacing it with a 6.1 fuel line?

Thanks,
Bill

[Popeye's Hemi]

My opinion is that the 09 5.7 fuel rail is better than the 6.1 rail. But the chrome 6.1 looks better. You need the fuel line jumper from a 6.1 or 08 and earlier 5.7 and the connector on your current set up has a small blue release. Pull fuse 6 (rear fuse panel) or ASD (usually front panel) relay fuse both will kill the fuel pump. Attempt to start the car and that should bleed off the pressure. Push down slightly on the fuel supply elbow and squeeze the blue retainer clip and lift up. I would have a rag handy for the slippage:
To release the other end you may need a release tool:

[Popeye's Hemi]

The 6.1 connector is on the passenger side. Also if I remember you will need to shim (1/4-5/16") washers under the rail hold down bolts. You should be able to twist each injector from side to side a little. This will ensure that the o-rings are not pinched. If you pinch them they will leak and leak bad. Just turn the key to the on position and do not start the car and then check for leaks.

[Dodgeboy77]

Popeye,

Thanks! While you were replying I got off my butt and went of into the garage and checked it out.

The 5.7's fuel line connector fit onto the 6.1's rail fitting perfectly. I tried re-routing the hose to the opposite side and there is more than enough length to get there.

I knew that I'll have to space the 6.1 rail assembly up with some washers. I guess I'll assemble things, measure how far off the rail's mounting brackets are from the mounting posts and go from there.

I don't want to leave the ball studs there because they look funky without the engine cover on (I'm using the half-covers). I don't want to drill out the threads in the plastic manifold where the fuel rail/engine cover ball studs mount, either. That's just in case I ever want to convert back. I think I will take some SS screws and nuts that are just big enough to fit through the mounting holes and mount the rail that way. Getting normal bolts or screws with the thread size of the ball studs is about impossible because they are a really strange, non-standard thread.

Bill

[Hemi31]

My opinion is that the 09 5.7 fuel rail is better than the 6.1 rail. But the chrome 6.1 looks better. You need the fuel line jumper from a 6.1 or 08 and earlier 5.7 and the connector on your current set up has a small blue release. Pull fuse 6 (rear fuse panel) or ASD (usually front panel) relay fuse both will kill the fuel pump. Attempt to start the car and that should bleed off the pressure. Push down slightly on the fuel supply elbow and squeeze the blue retainer clip and lift up. I would have a rag handy for the slippage:
To release the other end you may need a release tool:

The 6.1 connector is on the passenger side. Also if I remember you will need to shim (1/4-5/16") washers under the rail hold down bolts. You should be able to twist each injector from side to side a little. This will ensure that the o-rings are not pinched. If you pinch them they will leak and leak bad. Just turn the key to the on position and do not start the car and then check for leaks.

I think "yes" might have covered it

[Popeye's Hemi]

Make sure the rail hold down bolts are at least a course thread, that is plastic (intake) you are attaching the rails to!

Popeye,

Thanks! While you were replying I got off my butt and went of into the garage and checked it out.

The 5.7's fuel line connector fit onto the 6.1's rail fitting perfectly. I tried re-routing the hose to the opposite side and there is more than enough length to get there.

I knew that I'll have to space the 6.1 rail assembly up with some washers. I guess I'll assemble things, measure how far off the rail's mounting brackets are from the mounting posts and go from there.

I don't want to leave the ball studs there because they look funky without the engine cover on (I'm using the half-covers). I don't want to drill out the threads in the plastic manifold where the fuel rail/engine cover ball studs mount, either. That's just in case I ever want to convert back. I think I will take some SS screws and nuts that are just big enough to fit through the mounting holes and mount the rail that way. Getting normal bolts or screws with the thread size of the ball studs is about impossible because they are a really strange, non-standard thread.

Bill

[Dodgeboy77]

<<My opinion is that the 09 5.7 fuel rail is better than the 6.1 rail. >>

Is that because the 5.7 rail looks like it holds a lot more fuel? Think I'll notice any performance consequences with the 6.1 rail?

Bill