i have a 91 dakota with a 92 5.2 magnum swap.
so far ive cut the exhaust n cat off, went with a flowmaster and 3" exhaust.... can anyone point in the direction for used long tubes,rockers,intake setups, or even turbo kits? ive read that on stock exu and setup these can take 6-8psi boost. i dont really WANNA go turbo, but for everything id have to do for keeping it n/a would cost a lot more than a low boost application.

 

Here's the best advice regardless if you want to here it or not, and I know Mopar nerds will say other wise, but your best bang for the buck is put a 4.8,5.3 or 6.0 vortec in it. Building up a magnum is a waste of money for the returns you get.

 

Let's see....I race buick, gmc and mercury so guess I'm a mopar nerd but I wouldn't agree. If he was starting with an empty roller maybe but he already has an engine and ecu that will take a mild amount of boost. I've never added a turbo to a magnum so I could be completely wrong but I wouldn't think it would be more costly than having to add a new engine, ecu, wiring harness and drive train.

 

are you going to use this as a driver or a toy?
going with a turbo can be done with used parts,keeping the cost down, they are fun and are very addictive, so people tend to have used parts avalable for sale.

 

Well that's a crapton of freakin work, fabrication, et al...

I do think he should have gone with a 5.9 though if he really wanted more power.

But I really want to see someone who has done a Vortec swap with a 4x4. I'm very interested in it but I don't want to solid axle swap it and I would like to retain a manual transmission if possible, though I could potentially live with an auto swap. I imagine that entire custom crossmembers would be required to do this which is not something I entirely trust myself to do.

 

I think you are getting ahead of yourself, You have a 1991 truck that is OBD1. You have next to no options in tuning it to run something bigger in displacement(408 for example) or any other mods. Convert it to OBD2 or run a aftermarket controller like a megasquirt. Then you have plenty of options.

 

What kind of power are you looking for? What trans do you have (and what kind of shape is it in), or, do you intend to upgrade that too?

You certainly have options, some are costly, some require a lot more labor, and of course some require both. Do you want to keep it FI, or would you go for having it carb'd? There are many good articles out there on increasing power in a Mopar SB, you just need to figure what you really want.

 

Also, consider swapping to a RB big block (383, 413, 440 or so); or if you really, REALLY want to stay Magnum, consider a 5.9 stroker.

I'd upgrade to 1996 wiring/ECU so you can pick up the OBDII and the easy programmability; or convert to a MegaSquirt or go carb'ed. (Well, no, I wouldn't go carb'ed, but dang it, I is a 'pooter perfeshkinal ... *grins* Not everyone wants to learn how to tickle a ECU.)

That 3" exhaust may be a bit overkill for NA; too large, you lose scavaging and the motor won't perform as well as with the smaller (say 2.5") exhaust.

There are a few Magnum shops in the country; Hughes Engines ( www.hughesengines.com ) is pretty much the go-to; but if you can move outside the Magnum engine, there's also companies like Mancini ( http://www.manciniracing.com/ ) and a host of others.

Edlebrock makes heads for the Magnum ( http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/...eads/chrysler/ ); also intakes ( http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/...olds/chrysler/ ).

I'd also consider subscribing to Mopar Muscle magazine ( http://www.hotrod.com/mopar-muscle-magazine/ ) and peruse their back articles on line. At least peruse the online article collection, even if you don't subscribe.

Above all else, like Ragged89 says, What is your plan? You need one, or you'll be chasing your tail all over the place.

RwP

 

96 and 97 Dakotas aren't easily programmable because of the way the computers are set up. First year you can really get a programmer is 98. Don't ask me why, just how it is.

 

Ahem.

http://www.frptuning.com/product-p/doddaksct.htm

Notice that 1996 IS listed as a choice for Flyin' Ryan.

RwP