alright I'm new to this website and I need some help on a motor swap on my 93 dakota, I wanna switch the 318 magnum out for a 360 LA motor, I'm just wondering about what exactly I'll need to do with wiring and if I have to do anything with the tranny OD button, I have the msd ignition already, so what else am I gonna need to do the swap thank you.

 

Pull the ECU, rig something up for the tach (the tach wants 2 pulses per revolution and is driven off the ECU currently), and not only OD but torque converter lockup; but PATC has a kit for that ( http://www.transmissioncenter.net/SwapInformation.htm I know, written for a 727 to 518 swap, but the logic and control is the same; you're having to replace the ECU's control of both.) Basically, you're going to get to rewire the entire engine bay.

Also, don't forget the motor mounts, the oil pan, and the carburation for the LA motor. Fuel pump / regulator (what, you plan to shove 40psi fuel down the throat of that poor carburator?) or a new fuel pickup design if you're going to use the mechanical fuel pump.

Any big reason why you're not just upgrading to a 5.9 Magnum? It's a drop in with the right oil pan, and the Magnums OOB produce more power than the later LAs (plus, get the heads cross drilled, you can still run LA intakes on the Magnum motors ( www.magnumswap.com for more info; www.hughesengines.com for one source for parts and for someone who can do the cross drill). Just asking.

RwP

 

I might just do that and try and find a 360 magnum, but how hard would it be to rewire the bay or could I just find a harness to an older ram, the motors coming out of an 85 ram, could I use that harness and the wiring

 

I dunno if you could us that - but a 1985 RAM would still be ECU'ed (feedback carb, advance via the controller.)

No, better to hunt up Painless Performance and start with one of theirs.

Or if you don't want to do that, again, start with a 5.9 Magnum and the V8 ECU / add the two injector lines for a 1993 Dakota, and you'll be up and running. Well, may need a Dakota 5.9 oil pan and pickup, but for a 2WD, it's actually bolt in place of the 3.9 (caveat: Don't romp on it too much without redoing the transmission; there's fewer clutches and the 42RH isn't as stout as the 46RE was ... )

RwP

 

The 5.2 magnum outputs more HP and Torque than the older 360 LA in stock form. If I was you, I would stick with the Magnum series engines.

Go with a 5.9 Magnum, it will drop right in, you can use all of your 5.2 wiring and sensors. The 5.2 PCM and injectors can run the 5.9 but not well enough, it is best to get the correct ones for the motor you use, the Mopar Performance PCM will be best. Also, you will need to increase the fuel pressure by changing out the fuel regulator. The 5.9 Magnum can be from any year 93-04? Ram, Durango, Van. The pcm would need to be 93-95 Ram to match your stock 93 wiring harness.