what other engines will fit my truck and what parts can i re use?
Record Breaker
Joined: Apr 2010
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yeah they will fit. dont discount the 318 (I hate them being called by "liter" size as I grew up when everything was in CUBIC INCHES) the 360 doesnt have enough over it to hold out for one. the 318 would be a more direct fit as like the 6 cyl it is internal balance where the 360 is external balance youll need to either carburete it or swap harnesses if youre gonna swap a Magnum i
s more powerful than the same series engine your current one is....
I could confuse you easily but it isnt as big a deal as some may think
s more powerful than the same series engine your current one is....
I could confuse you easily but it isnt as big a deal as some may think
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Upstate South Carolina
Since your 3.9 is a LA engine then your best bet to swap over to the 5.2 or 5.9 magnum is to find a wrecked donor vehicle to swap everything over. Also the front core support is going to cause problems with the v8 swap. Try to find a 5.2 dakota 91-96 and swap the whole front end to the newer style otherwise its going to be a real PITA to swap it over. And no none of the parts will fit since you will be going from a LA series to the Magnum series. There is a good write up about the 3.9 LA to the 5.2 or 5.9 Magnum swap in the FAQ's II section.
Last edited by JR318; Jul 1, 2012 at 11:06 PM.
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Registered User
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: b.c
Volaredon.... if i am understanding you right then you are sayin that i will be happy with my gain from the 318 and do not need to hold out for the 360...? are the 318 and 360 both magnum engines?
are both of you saying there is nothing i can re use? such as alternator/brackets/pully's
and i am aware that i will not have clearance on the v6 rad and need to swap out for electric fan in front
are both of you saying there is nothing i can re use? such as alternator/brackets/pully's
and i am aware that i will not have clearance on the v6 rad and need to swap out for electric fan in front
Last edited by stuckoutwest; Jul 2, 2012 at 05:29 PM.
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From: Upstate South Carolina
The PITA is if your going to swap the v6 la to a 5.2 magnum and keep fuwl injection then you will have to swap the wire harness for the engine and trans and maybe even back towards the rearend also. You will need the pcm, and if your doing the efan im not sure how much clearance you will have but i know on my 95 there is only 3in from radiator to the shaft on water pump. I used the HHR fan and it works well but took alot of modding to get it in. Also im pretty sure none of the mounts will work with the magnum. There is alot more to the la to magnum swap then just throwing a magnum under the hood. Thats why i said it would be best to find a donor truck so your not running all over every day looking for a part that you just found out wont work. And from my experience with m Dakota they are all a pita to work on. If they wasnt then everybody would have one and we would have a huge selection of aftermarket parts. But there not a simple S-10 so thats why all dakota owners are so proud of there trucks because it took alot of blood sweat tears and modding to make the truck we wanted. An from all the threads that ive read about the la to magnum swap I was just giving a little helpful advice on how to make the swap as easy as possible for you.