Ok, so i see that it is possible. One more question. I know there's multiple v8 engines equipped in the Dakotas, can anyone explain the differences between them? and which one would be the best fit? I'd like to use a carburated setup.

 

The LA V8 318 was shoehorned into the Shelby Dakota in 1989, and saw common use in 1991, when the engine bay was lengthened to accommodate the longer engine. This engine was TBI.

In 1992 they switched to the Magnum V8 318, which saw Multi-Port injection, and a power boost. Physically the engines are pretty similar, the main difference is the fuel delivery, and any modifications required for that change to happen. There are other small things, like 92+ didn't have an AIR Pump, stuff like that.

But you don't need to use a 318 from a Dakota, other 318's will fit. If you want to go fuel injected your best bet is to get a donor 92+ truck so you can steal the wire harness, PCM, etc from it. Carb'ed you have alot more options, and it will be easier to make it work in your truck. You'll need a stronger transmission though no matter what you do.

 

Check out this site for info on LA swaps on the first gen Dakota's

 

And here for some good tips for anyone thinking about doing an engine swap

 

Please. You start talking Chevy motors and I'm gonna say to find a Chevy body to stick it in... a Dodge body deserves a Dodge engine. I get so tired of this crap

 

Thankyou for the links. Don't worry, I think I'm gonna keep it Mopar.

 

I don't know where you're located but if you have emissions testing take that into consideration before just throwing a carb on a small block Mopar. If you have to pass emissions I'd find a Magnum 5.2, the wiring harness from a 1992-95 V6/V8 Dakota (either will work and it'll be a lot easier to add the extra wires to the V6 harness while it's out of the truck), and match the injectors to whatever 92-95 computer you get. Put a hi-flow cat on it with 3" exhaust and you'll be golden.

And as mentioned before you're going to need a new transmission, either an A518/46RH automatic or an NV3500 manual.

 

just hang a turbo on the 4 cyl.

 

Could not agree more, especially since you can find a s-10 for as cheap as our trucks and they have more in the after market. If you want the chevy engine so bad then might as well stick it into an s-10. If you want to know how to do it right and legal with emissions look under carcraft on the internet they are doing a build thread also if you go to power block tv and under the category of trucks the did a v8 s10 build plus a dragster build using an s10. Though if you are like the rest of us and bleed mopar and would still tackle a project that has limited aftermarket section then you will fit right at home.

 

Iv got a small block 350 in my 91 dodge dakota