When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Notice that 1996 IS listed as a choice for Flyin' Ryan.
RwP
Interesting, especially since SCT doesn't support 96 or 97 Dakotas.
And, for the cost of his tune plus the programmer, you can get a nice used 5.3 vortec and be hundreds of dollars ahead and have a LOT better platform to upgrade upon. Sure, that still leaves the transmission, but that tune by itself isn't going to do what a stock 5.3 vortec can. As we've been through this before, 4.8,5.3 and 6.0 vortec is just as easy of a swap as an LA to magnum swap is really.
Last edited by Toby Warford; Sep 18, 2016 at 05:00 PM.
Whereas the LS-into-2WD-Dakota is about the easiest of the LS-into-alien swaps, it's not as easy as a Magnum-where-LA-was is.
Especially since a) the motor mounts bolt straight up; b) the transmission bolts straight up; c) you can use factory exhaust if you wish; d)the bits and pieces needed are available from Mother Mopar or a boneyard, and e) you can even use some of the same body wiring. Depending on how the Magnum is set up (get the heads cross drilled and swap in a LA intake and use the LA distributor, for instance), you can even skip the wiring changes, since the LA intake and TBI can work OK (won't claim it's well!) on the Magnum body. (Won't get you all that horsepower, true.)
Or else Toby misspelled "almost" and spelled it "just" *grins*
Whereas the LS-into-2WD-Dakota is about the easiest of the LS-into-alien swaps, it's not as easy as a Magnum-where-LA-was is.
Especially since a) the motor mounts bolt straight up; b) the transmission bolts straight up; c) you can use factory exhaust if you wish; d)the bits and pieces needed are available from Mother Mopar or a boneyard, and e) you can even use some of the same body wiring. Depending on how the Magnum is set up (get the heads cross drilled and swap in a LA intake and use the LA distributor, for instance), you can even skip the wiring changes, since the LA intake and TBI can work OK (won't claim it's well!) on the Magnum body. (Won't get you all that horsepower, true.)
Or else Toby misspelled "almost" and spelled it "just" *grins*
Listen, the title was best advice. The best advice is to do a vortec swap. If he did the magnum swap himself, the vortec swap is just as easy in difficulty. And dollar for dollar, there's no reason not to use a vortec. The magnum is a poor platform to power. Especially for the costs it takes.
Interesting, especially since SCT doesn't support 96 or 97 Dakotas.
And, for the cost of his tune plus the programmer, you can get a nice used 5.3 vortec and be hundreds of dollars ahead and have a LOT better platform to upgrade upon. Sure, that still leaves the transmission, but that tune by itself isn't going to do what a stock 5.3 vortec can. As we've been through this before, 4.8,5.3 and 6.0 vortec is just as easy of a swap as an LA to magnum swap is really.
Putting a Magnum in is absolutely the easiest swap. Hell, as Ralph was saying, you don't have to change the motor mounts, trans, fuel system (unless your truck is older), and, the harnesses, sensors, and bulkhead connectors are easy to swap up from 87-95 (96 is an odd ball in many ways). The sensors will work with the computer (just use the appropriate year), and they'll also work work with the stock instruments in the dash, no mods needed. My '89 Dak has a '92 Magnum motor, a '94 engine harness, an '89 cab harness, and a '94 fuel pump and tank - all bolt-in/plug-in and play fine together. No fabricating or after-market stuff required, everything I needed came from donor vehicles. To get the trans I wanted, I put in a '97 Dakota 5 speed, again a straight bolt-up with no alterations to drive shaft yoke or overall length required.
Of course the swap question is kind of a moot point here. The OP has already dropped a Magnum motor in and is looking for power options for that mill. After investing in that, I doubt he wants to yank it out to put something else in.
Ralph, I would differ with you on the 3" exhaust being too large. For a '92 Magnum, I believe the OEM exhaust pipe (after the Y) is 3", and steps down after it passes through the muffler, to 2.75" or 2.5", I forget which right now. The V8's after '93 lost about 5 HP, which is attributed to the change to smaller outlets on the exhaust manifolds, smaller diameter Y pipe, etc. I think he should be OK with the 3" pipe, just don't go dual before the muffler.
Last edited by ragged89; Sep 19, 2016 at 12:37 AM.
Putting a Magnum in is absolutely the easiest swap. Hell, as Ralph was saying, you don't have to change the motor mounts, trans, fuel system (unless your truck is older), and, the harnesses, sensors, and bulkhead connectors are easy to swap up from 87-95 (96 is an odd ball in many ways). My '89 Dak has a '92 Magnum motor, a '94 harness, and a '94 fuel pump and tank - all were bolt-in/plug-in. No fabricating or after-market stuff required, everything I needed came from donor vehicles. To get the trans I wanted, I put in a '97 Dakota 5 speed, again a straight bolt-up.
Of course the swap question is kind of a moot point here. The OP has already dropped a Magnum motor in and is looking for power options for that mill.
Ralph, I would differ with you on the 3" exhaust being too large. For a '92 Magnum, I believe the OEM exhaust pipe (after the Y) is 3", and steps down after it passes through the muffler, to 2.75" or 2.5", I forget which right now. The V8's after '93 lost about 5 HP, which is attributed to the change to smaller outlets on the exhaust manifolds, smaller diameter Y pipe, etc. I think he should be OK with the 3" pipe, just don't go dual before the muffler.
You don't know that. Maybe he doesn't know how EASY the swap is. Actually, this whole thread is moot since he hasn't replied to anything.
You really don't need anything aftermarket (minus a few adapters for the guages) for a vortec swap or different motor mounts for that matter. Not that I remember or have seen. The fuel line has the same connector, the power steering has the same connector, the batter is on the right side, EASY! You guys are confusing simple with easy. And the vortec is still about as simple as you can get. Its all straight forward.
It takes roughly $2k to get a magnum to 400hp. A stock 6.0 vortec does that. $2k will buy you the engine, transmission and the odds and ends plus cash left over. I don't see whar all the damned arguing. You know they say, if you polish a turd its still a turd. The magnum is that turd. Sure, I love mine, reliable and easy to work on. But I'd never be stupid enough to duml money in it to try and squeeze HP that doesn't exist when I can spend the same money and have a LOT better engine. Oh ya, not only do you get more HP, you get more mpg. Win/win.
I think if I wanted to spend a couple grand and drop something really different in, I wouldn't go the SBC/LS route. Nothing wrong with it really, its just not that original. For that money I could pick up something a little more unique, and fitting, like maybe this: (that's an '89 Dakota by the way)
I think if I wanted to spend a couple grand and drop something really different in, I wouldn't go the SBC/LS route. Nothing wrong with it really, its just not that original. For that money I could pick up something a little more unique, and fitting, like maybe this: (that's an '89 Dakota by the way)
Ya but problem there is its a Mopar that ends in .7. All molars that end in .7 are junk and will give big headaches. 2.7,3.7,4.7,5.7 and even Cummins 6.7 are all more headaches then they're worth.
