I recently bought a 1990 Dakota for 700. My second vehicle, the last being a ford escort. She isn't pretty, and sure as hell isn't powerful, only packing the 2.5l 4 banger with a 5 speed. Even with that said however, I love it. Currently in the proccess of doing a light restore on it. My question right now is concerned with getting more power out of my truck. Right now I have two ideas in mind. One would be the option of a turbo. I did some research and found the dodge daytonas have the same k motor just turboed. Could I pull the turbo system out of one of those and use it? And what would be the complications? My second thought is a V6 engine swap. Again, what would be the complications following that. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm pretty familiar with the 2.2/2.5 turbo engines Dodge built. I have an '88 2.5 turbo mini-van (which runs 15 in the 1/4 mile) and I built my Dad an '85 Chrysler T&C woody wagon (that runs 14.5 in the 1/4 mile).

You can't just "turbo" your 2.5. The internals can't handle it. The compression ratio is too high, rods too weak, the exhaust valves are wrong, and the manifolds are wrong. Turbo cars are multi-point injection and your Dakota is throttle-body injected. Your best bet is the get the complete engine, turbo, computer, and wiring harness from a donor vehicle. As far as the V6 swap I can't help you. I don't know what's involved with that swap.

A.J.

 

Do you know off hand if the turbo k motor would fit the truck? Or would I just have to my own thing like any other swap? Thanks for the help

 

As far as I know the engine should bolt right up. You want an '89 and later turbo engine out of any K-based car. Daytona, Lebaron, Shadow, Spirit, Reliant, Omni, or Caravan. '88 and earlier are different blocks.

A.J.

 

As far as a swap goes check the FAQ2, pretty sure there is almost everything you need to know if not more than that listed.

 

Thanks for all the info. I looked there first but I only found info on v6 to v8 and things of that matter. So I figure ill be different and do a turbo dakota. With the wiring and engine computer, everyone says ill have to rip the whole wiring harness out of the truck, including the dash and interior stuff. Is this true, or are they over compensating? I definatley know the engine harness, but all the dash stuff to?

Thanks again for the feedback

 

You're probably going to have to build a harness out of your Dakota and what ever donor car you get. You'll need a wiring diagram for your Dakota and the donor car.

A.J.

 

Ok, fair enough. Two more wuestions off the top of my head, will my 5 speed trans bolt up to the new block, and will the fuel system hook up alright?

 

Transmission will bolt up. Metal fuel lines up to the engine compartment will work. You'll need new rubber hoses from the metal lines on the truck to the fuel rail on the new engine. You'll need to upgrade your fuel pump. The TBI fuel pump won't flow enough to supply the turbo engine under boost.

A.J.

 

I'm gonna have to subscribe to this... Been looking forward to a turbo K-car motor in a Dak...