Ok, I've been looking for engine options to replace my largely under powered 2.5. I've decided that if I do anything, it's gonna be a chevy small block. My only questions revolve around the trans and electrical. Can i get a trans that will fit in with my truck and the new motor(note keeping it a stick.)? Will I have to get a custom drive shaft made? Also, will i have to change anything involving all my lights and what not?

 

Why bastardize it? Keep it Mopar

 

I agree with scatpack, but to each his own. I won't hate you for thinking outside the box, or inside depending on which way you look at building a SBC for something other than a GM. It depends on fuel injected or carb, and if you want to have it computer controlled or run a standalone EFI system like megasquirt or FAST EFI.

The transmission should be easy to find, the world is your oyster when building a SBC. T-5, T-56, TKO600. Just depends on how extreme you want to go. Problem is that you will have to figure out a way to adapt the trans and engine into the truck... unless they have a kit for it now, never really looked into it lol. Custom driveshaft will have to be made, just need measurements of the length and the slip yoke for the trans you will be using and the u joint cap from your existing driveshaft, of course you could change that to larger u joints as well.

Are you asking about you exterior lights or dash lights (i.e. check engine light)? If exterior lights, nothing will have to change. Should be easy if you use a GM 1 wire alternator.

In short : It can be done, but it might not be as easy as you are thinking.

 

It can be done, but you will have to do tons of custom fabrication to mount up the engine and transmission and wire it up. To much work unless your going all out on an EXTREME HP engine.

Best bang for your buck is to get a DODGE V8 Magnum engine from a 92-03 Ram, Dakota, Durango, Ram Van. And swap it in, the few people who have done V8 swap from a 4cly truck say it is a direct bolt on to the frame.

Check the FAQ2 in this section (just a few posts above this one) for some V6 to V8 swaps which will be 90% the same as yours.

 

I agree with the above posts. Keep it Mopar.

 

why is it a Q?

 

Pretty much like everyone else has said, Keep it Mopar, but I do agree with to each his own. A magnum V8 will be much easier as you can simply do it with a few trips the the junkyard and the parts store, not to mention a weekend or 2 and a couple cases of beer lol.

 

Why a chevy small block? If you're after being different, sure, maybe but I'm not really sure what it accomplishes.

If you're wanting to just make more power than I would say take the path of least resistance. The amount of money and effort it would take for you to get a chevy small block in there you could have a more powerful 318 or 360.

 

Thanks for all the replies and info. I was just thinking a small block because of the vast world of aftermarket. However, from reading above it seems as though the mopar swap might be the easier way to go. I honestly had no clue either way. I saw the v6 to v8 swaps done alot, but very few from the 4cyl. So if I go mopar, It's pretty much a bolt in job then?

 

Read through this thread:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...-complete.html

It isn't an I4 to V8 swap, but it is a pre-91 Dakota, so it will give you an idea what it takes to fit a V8 in there. It will still be some work, since your engine bay wasn't designed with a V8 in mind (but it can be shoehorned in), and it won't be as much as going to a Chevy. It is going to take some research on your end still, search these forums and others, as apparantly it has been done before. Read through FAQ2 to get an idea on other engine swaps.