http://www.engine-swaps.com/ They sell motor mounts to put almost any Dodge V8 into a Dakota. I thought long and hard about it when i had my dakota, but bought a 92 dodge diesel d250, Ive since sold that and am looking for another dakota.

Hope this helps.

 

a LA 318 will be the easiest to swap in. unless your good with wiring then go with a magnum 318



and 318 is just 5.2litres. its just another term for it. it's the same motor.................

 

the engine swap site didnt help much
engine conversions for the 87-96 2wd dakotas

my dakota HAD a/c, previous owner hacked it out,
to put the 318 in can i use the existing mounts and not have to get the hood, grill,or move the rad?
engine works with the existing tranny i have?

 

Without the A/C condenser you will have room for a fan in front of the rad. The mounts are the same. Do not use the V6 flexplate.

 

for the amount of money you are gonna spend to drop and fabricate a 5.2 into your truck. you can get the same 6 banger with a few performance parts to equal the horsepower of the 5.2. for less money. or you can even supercharge the 6 banger. i was at the track not to long ago and a few guys were running buick grand national 6 cyl. in there trucks. not a bad bolt up either

 

What do you think needs to be fabricated .My 88 was done with factory parts ,except for a M1 intake. $250 0ver 10 years ago .Plus a hayden 14' fan $95.There is no performance parts for a V6.

 

so without the a/c condensor i can get a 318LA into my dakota using the same mounts as the 3.9L and not have to move the rad, and get away with the stocl grill,hood and all that nice stuff?

 

Yes, without ac you can put an electric pusher fan in front of the radiator. Yes a 318 and a 5.2 are the same bore and stroke, with the same motor mounts, trans mounting but some of the differences are that the magnum has the roller cam, better breathing exaust manifolds, higher veilocity intake runners, (beer barrel manifold), closed chamber wedge heads and no provision for mechanical fuel pump. A 318 would be a much easier swap for you. A 360LA would be about the same exept the right motor mount and of course the 360 is externally balanced. If you do the swap, make sure you find a V8 radiator.

 

ok, so when i find a 318 i should take the rad with it, and i need an electric fan, thanks alot