Hello everyone, I need some worldly advise on purchasing a set of cylinder heads for a 5.9L magnum that I am building for the Dakota.

Firstly I would like to keep this engine build in a reasonable budget. I am seriously not looking at blowing my whole budget just on heads. My question is towards the guys who have done the engine build and any tips and tricks they might have. This is my first ever engine build!! So please help a newbie out.

The question: What heads are most of you guys are using, and what cam set up are you using.
- I realize that these engines have a pretty pathetic cam so I camshaft is definitely part of my build process and budgeted for it.
- I have been reviewing some of the cams that have interested me but they require a valve lift of .480 or .550, but when looking at some heads being sold, the max valve lift is .4700, like the EQ 360 cast iron heads. Have any of you guys purchased these have a workable cam in place, that gives decent potential.
-Have any one sent their heads to a machine shop to allow a larger max valve lift, if so how much does it usually cost you to do this set up.

Well anyways thank you guys, and I will throw up some pictures of the engine to persuade you all in helping me.

 

 

I bought the engine from pick and part for 250 bucks. It was from I believe a 97-99 ram 1500 4x4. The OD is unknown though I believe it has like 200,000km and is in fairly good shape, you can even see the original cross hatching on the cylinder walls. Though the heads are of course cracked.

 

You posted in 1st gen Dak general forum of which none came with a 5.9 magnum...hopefully a mod will move it to the Dak tech forum for you where builds and engine swaps are discussed. But on my build I'm using a magnum crate motor....the engineering has been done so you can use its specs. Here's an article that discusses the Cam lift and duration.

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/mopp-0303-360-crate-engine-buildup/

 

There is a site called magnummopar.com. He post a lot over on a site called forabodiesonly.com. But he seems well respected. He offers the EQ heads with upgraded stainless steel valves and springs good for .550 or .575 I think. The price is $1150.00 shipped. FWIW when I finally get my 5.9 and if it needs heads, that is what I will go with.
Also they offer various cams as well as several reground cams.

 

Posting for anyone that may read this in the future:

All 360 and 318 heads are 100% exactly the same unless they come off a 5.9 r/t Dakota.

 

Huh? LA heads pre 92 and Magnum heads are very different. 318 or 360.

 

Sorry, should have been more specific I guess. All magnum heads are the same unless they're off an r/t Dakota...

 

What's different from the r/t's? Different flows?

 

Ya. The rt heads, iirc, but don't quote me, have slightly stiffer valve springs and slightly bigger valves. I'm not 100% sure the difference or how much better they are as I don't dabble much in the 2nd gen stuff. But I do know they are better and all other 360 and 318 heads be it 2500 ram or 5.2 Dakota are 100% identical.