Alright guys i did use the search I did not find exactly what im looking for so do not roast me to bad for askin this. But here is my situation I have a 94 Dakota with a 3.9 and i am looking to do a v8 swap. Now for one which motor will bolt right in with any issues and i can keep my ac and all my fancy stuff sorta speak lol. Also my cousin has a 91 dodge ram with a 318 in it and the truck is totaled and he has the engine and tranny setting and i can buy it CHEAP. So the question i guess is will the 318 out of the 91 ram drop right in my 94 dakota and if so what all will i need to do to have the swap done smoothly and keep my ac and everything. Also what will I have to do with my rear end situation? Any info would be much appreciated and once again sorry if this is all in a post some where.

 

All the info is in the FAQ2, just a few posts above this one. But I'll lay out some of the info on here.

The best and easiest swaps to do from a Magnum V6 is to go to a Magnum V8 5.2 (92-02) or for more power the Magnum 5.9 (93-02) V8. All are externally the same as far as mounts, so these V8's will drop right in with no modifications. They can be found in Dodge Rams, Vans, Dakotas, Durangos. Jeeps Grand Cherokees too if you use that transmission. 92-95 would be the simplest to due to being OBD1. Get the transmission from those years on a V8. Your V6 transmission will fit but Dodge didn't put it behind the V8's for a reason, it will not last.


The 91 Ram has an LA 5.2 which may drop right in. Some have the mounting holes drilled and tapped some don't, you would just have to look at it. If it doesn't special mounts may be needed or made. The stock LA 5.2's didn't have much power, although the 91 had the most of the LA's it probably only make a few more HP or may even make as much as your Magnum V6 makes. I would say it is not worth it.

As far as your rear end it depends on which one you have. Most likely it is a Chry 8.25 Oval shaped cover, if so then it can take the power. If it is a Octagon shaped cover it is a Chry 7.25 and that should be upgraded.

 

ok thank you I did read threw that info. I have decided to go with the 5.9 magnum to swap into the dakota. But I cant find exactly what i will need for the swap. I know of course the 5.9 v8 engine lol and of course throttle body a different fan shroud. But which vehicle or truck would be the best to find and use as far as getting everything i need with one purchase. Say buying a wrecked 94 ram with a 5.9 magnum in it. Would that be all i need for the full swap? I know nothing about dodges period. I would appreciate the info because with having a son and working the hours im working doing the research to learn it all is something I do not have time for. Oh and yes my rear end has the oval shaped differential cover so my rear end is good to go.

 

it would be good to have everything from the vehicle it came from. so best to have the whole donor so if you missing something you can back and find it.

 

Yeah i know but im not sure which vehicle would be the best donor as far as electrical and everything goes. Also I can find a ton of 5.9 v8's that are in a wrecked 02-04 rams but my truck is obd1. So im trying to find a 94 ram with the 5.9 but I cant find one around here.

 

well seeing as how your going from a v6 to a v8 i would go ahead and just go with a obd2 setup yeah it is a little more work but honestly if there is any problems with it once its running the computer will tell you....