The Dodge 4.7 V8 may be smaller than many of its V8 counterparts, but its ruggedness and reliability will still leave you satisfied.
Dodge is not known for making small V8 engines. In fact, they are known for quite the opposite. With their illicit use of the supercharged Hellcat V8 engine and their lineup of big displacement and big horsepower Hemi engines, it’s easy to overlook other engines they have on the docket.
However, the Dodge 4.7 V8 is in a league of its own. This engine is the epitome of big things coming in small packages.
The 4.7-liter V8 engine found in Dodge vehicles is also known as the Powertech engine. It is the innovation of Dodge’s parent company Chrysler. It set out to replace the legendary 318 cubic-inch pushrod small-block V8.
The goals when developing the Powertech 4.7 engine were to increase both power output and fuel efficiency. Though this is a tall order, they came to a similar conclusion that Ford did with the 4.6-liter V8. They departed from their traditional camshaft in block pushrod V8 design. Instead, they turned to more modern technology with the use of overhead camshafts. This helped to achieve the goal of more power and efficiency.
The Chrysler/Dodge 4.7 Powertech V8 engine appears in numerous cars throughout the Chrysler parent company brands over its lifetime. However, the Powertech 4.7 was only ever available in trucks and SUVs.
The engine was produced from 1999 to 2013 and saw a few different variations over the years. We’re going to show you what variants of the Dodge 4.7 V8 you’ll find and what cars you’ll find them in. Additionally, we’ll give you a rundown of the engine specs, their efficiency, and their reliability.
Dodge 4.7 Engine Specifications
Over the span of its life, the construction of the Powertech 4.7 V8 remained the same. It has a cast-iron engine block with a set of aluminum cylinder heads. It uses single overhead camshaft construction, meaning each cylinder head has a single camshaft in it.
All Powertech 4.7-liter V8s have two valves per cylinder for a total of 16 valves. Additionally, they all share the same bore at 93 millimeters. They share the same piston stroke, 86.5 millimeters, as well. Lastly, every Powertech 4.7 V8 is equipped with chain-driven timing and standard multi-port electronic fuel injection.
The standard Powertech 4.7 V8 engine has a compression ratio of 9 to 1 and produces 235 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. In its introductory year of 1999, this put it above the power rating of the equivalent year Ford 4.6-liter V8, which had 220 horsepower. Though, it does fall slightly shy of the 1999 Chevy 4.8-liter V8’s 255 horsepower output.
In 2002 a high output version known as the 4.7 HO or 4.7 Magnum was introduced. This variant of the Powertech 4.7 has a substantial leap to 265 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. The increase in power comes courtesy of the increase in compression. While the standard engine is 9 to 1, the HO/Magnum variant has a compression ratio of 9.7 to 1.
Finally, in 2008 a revised version of the 4.7 V8 came out once again. This time the compression ratio is increased from 9.8 to 1. This compression increase combined with upgraded camshafts brought the power up to between 290 and 310 horsepower, depending on which vehicle it is in. Additionally, the revised 4.7 has a torque output of between 320 and 334 lb.-ft.
Where to Find the Powertech 4.7
The 4.7 V8 is found in many Chrylser parent company vehicles. This includes brands like Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep. Some models after the 2008 revision retained the original version through the 2009 model year. So, it is important to know which 4.7 you are looking at when researching buying a used car.
Inputting the vehicle’s VIN into our free Vehicle History VIN research tool will give you the specific details of the vehicle, and the horsepower figure will identify which variant of the 4.7 it has. Furthermore, you’ll see the vehicle’s full VIN report, including any accidents.
It is always important to know the history of the vehicle you are buying. So, proper VIN inspection, maintenance records, and visual inspections are key to buying a vehicle that won’t leave you stranded or with hefty repair bills.
The standard and lower output 4.7 V8 ran from 1999 to 2009 and was found in the following vehicles:
- 1999–2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2000–2009 Dodge Dakota
- 2000–2009 Dodge Durango
- 2002–2009 Dodge Ram
- 2006–2009 Jeep Commander
- 2007–2009 Chrysler Aspen
The Powertech 4.7 High Output or Magnum V8 was found in the following vehicles:
- 2002–2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2005–2007 Dodge Dakota
- 2002–2007 Dodge Ram 1500
- 2006–2007 Mitsubishi Raider
Finally, the revised higher horsepower version of the Powertech 4.7 V8 was found in the following vehicles:
- 2008-2009 Chrysler Aspen
- 2008-2011 Dodge Dakota
- 2008-2009 Dodge Durango
- 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 1500
- 2008-2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2008-2009 Jeep Commander
- 2011-2013 Ram 1500
Powertech 4.7 V8 Fuel Economy
As one would expect, the fuel economy of this engine varies based on which vehicle it is in. However, given the engine and transmissions are identical in these vehicles across the Chrysler family, the EPA fuel economy ratings are not substantially different from one another.
To get an idea of the fuel economy of a Powertech 4.7 V8, we’ll take a look at the economy ratings of vehicles from various years equipped with each of the variants of the engine.
Fuel economy ratings of other cars equipped with this engine are similar and can be seen using the Vehicle History research tool by searching the year, make, and model of your preferred vehicle.
The 2003 Dodge Durango is equipped with the first variant of the Powertech 4.7-liter V8. In a four-wheel-drive format, it has a fuel economy rating of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. The rear-wheel-drive variant with the same engine retains the 13 mpg city rating but sees a slight increase to 18 mpg highway.
The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee is equipped with the 4.7 HO/Magnum high output variant of the Powertech V8. Four-wheel-drive models have a fuel economy rating of 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. Additionally, rear-wheel-drive examples have ratings of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.
The 2008 Dodge Durango is equipped with the revised and highest horsepower version of the 4.7-liter V8. These variants of the 4.7 came with dual spark plugs in an effort to increase efficiency. Though, the added power does balance this effort out.
As a result, the 2008 Durango has a fuel economy rating of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway on four-wheel-drive models. Furthermore, rear-wheel-drive models have a rating of 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.
Powertech 4.7 Engine Reliability & Capabilities
Like most vehicles and engines, the Powertech 4.7-liter V8 is very reliable as long as it has been taken care of. Regular maintenance and proper treatment go a long way with any vehicle.
However, the Powertech 4.7 has a substantial lifespan. A well-maintained 4.7-liter equipped vehicle is likely to last well up to and beyond 150,000 miles.
However, it is worth noting that timely oil changes are a must for these engines. Engine sludge buildup is known to cause failure on these engines in the form of blown head gaskets, which can result in detrimental overheating issues.
Ultimately, these problems can lead to complete destruction of the engine if they are not taken care of. If shopping for a used 4.7-liter V8-equipped vehicle, be sure to get the vehicle’s maintenance history. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a vehicle without proof of timely oil changes.
With the Powertech 4.7’s torque figures, you’ll find that the vehicles equipped with them are well-capable of towing.
While they may not be capable of pulling substantial camping trailers or hauling cars, you’ll find that many 4.7-powered vehicles have a towing rating between 3,500 and 6,000 pounds. This is more than enough to tow a boat or a small camper trailer.
In the case of the Dodge Dakota and Dodge Ram, the 4.7 is plenty of engine for hauling fairly substantial bed loads with payload capabilities between 1,250 and 2,000 pounds depending on the year and model.
So long as you’re not looking to move the world, the 4.7 is going to take care of your towing and hauling needs. If you’re in need of a light-duty work truck or just want to have a moderately capable weekend and off-road adventure vehicle, a well-kept 4.7 should have all the power and trustworthiness you need.
Is the Powertech 4.7 V8 the Engine for You?
The Powertech 4.7 remained largely the same throughout its production run. This means that the majority of the engines share parts and are interchangeable. So, even if you experience small engine issues like failed gaskets, accessories like alternators, water pumps, and other wear items, the prices are fairly reasonable.
Furthermore, being a domestic brand means that parts are readily available at most auto parts stores throughout the country. Therefore, the maintenance and upkeep of one of these engines are fairly straightforward and affordable. This is obviously a major factor for many used car shoppers.
Overall, the Powertech 4.7 is a great engine option for a smaller displacement V8. If you are in the market for a light-duty truck or SUV at a moderate price, shopping for a Dodge, Chrysler, or Jeep SUV equipped with a 4.7 may be exactly what you need. There are plenty of options for vehicles equipped with this engine in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.
Once again, it is always important when shopping used to ask the seller for documentation of the vehicle’s history and servicing. Additionally, you should always run a VIN check on a vehicle. If you can, having a mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection is a great idea as well.
Photos: Dodge