I've got a '95 3.9 rear-wheel drive and I'd like to do a swap to the 318. I know absolutely nothing about engine/tranny swapping.

Where do I begin? Should I just refer this to my mechanic? God knows it'd cost me an arm and maybe both of my legs to afford it if I did it that route.

Maybe I shouldn't do it, but I want to oh-so-badly!

 

This is a commen swap. We have a member who wrote up a great post. It is listed under the FAQ2. Under engine swaps.

 

you should do it, if you have any more questions just holla. i am getting better gas miliage with the 318 that i was with the 6. and an *** ton more power.

 

Why not just go with the 360?

 

The 360 would be great but not really all that practical for me, honestly... And I don't really need that kind of power. I think the 318 would be perfect.

Actually, I'm even tempted to stick with my 3.9 and build her up, but the way its looking I'm going to need a tranny rebuild coming up...Its getting really goofy. We'll see though. Cost is my biggest concern, and I think a 318 swap might be less expensive.

 

a 318 would be less expensive than building the 3.9. them little basterds have some expensive performance parts. i would have liked to go 360 but have not been able to find one yet. one day i will have a 408 too! or mabey just put a 4 inch crank in the 318 and settle for a 390!

 

one day......

 

Finding 360's/trannys are not to hard to find in these neck of the woods but I just did not know about the computer. I dont have a clue if the computer out of a 1500 will hook up to a dakota. I havent looked into it. car-part.com will find you one.

 

the 318 computer will work with the 360. i have a mopar performance computer for a 96 ram in mine and it works fine for me.

 

Well for here in my city it is verry hard to find a 5.9 magnum or a 46rh. A little easyer to find a 5.2 but still got to search everywhere, I sould say complete but most charge up the *** for one.

But hell any chevy engine around here is $300 complete, and you can find them at any street corner. Besides the LS1's, Those are still hard to find.