I have appreciated reading this blog and the various contributions. I checked with a relative who has owned and garage for like 20+ years and he builds cars basically as in modifies them and drops supercharged engines in them. He agrees with the manual. So, I'm convinced, stay with the manual.
Just a comment, these "newer" engines are being pressed in ways their predecessors didn't have to deal with. The short of it is that they are far more complicated. I think it makes trying (at least for me) challenging to really know everything that is going on during a break in. Hence, do your research & make your choice. It is a Dodge, manifold & lifter issues and all. I'm still glad to be greeted by my Longhorn interior every time I get in it. And, I've been a Toyota guy for years. The Ram looks like a truck should. They always have!
I wonder what people with mechanical experience have to say about trying to re-shoe an old horse when you basically need a new horse to get the numbers you "need". My 5.7L MDS VVT e-Torque has a lot of torque and power. Yet, she isn't my old 360 (5.92L), she isn't as smooth or mechanically simple. I think there may be a break-in point there (maybe).
They cut the displacement, added a lot of technology, and are trying to deliver the best numbers they can, and I think they have done pretty good. But, I'm a Ram guy, so I'm also biased from the start and I'm no engineer or gear head.
What do the gear heads say? Maybe that's a different thread.
