That doesn't look like too big of a difference. Just make an s bend in the shifter shaft. Decisions decisions....

 

"superior" may be a stretch. I like the 318. Gets 21 mpg highway in my truck empty. Can easily tow a car on a trailer...up to and including a 4x4 extended cab f150. Doesn't leak or burn any considerable amount of fluids.

Now the only bad thing is if I wanted to make more power it gets expensive fast. The LS on the other hand seems to have an endless aftermarket.

 

The LS has several advantages (cheap in the junkyard; GM made metric buttloads of them; lots of aftermarket; fits into the engine bay fairly easily).

However, having heard LS and B/RB motors on the dyno ...

I'd rather have the 383/413/440 strictly because they sound like panty removers compared to the buzz of a LS motor *grins*

RwP

 

 

My remark about going LS motor, was just a tongue in cheek remark. When the op said he would go T56......... I was just kidding around.

But that being said, there is a site lsdak.com that specializes in LS motors being put in 2nd gen dakotas.

When I started gathering information and then parts to convert mine to a V8 I really considered going with a 5.3 or 6.0 LS series motor.
The advantages were, (in my mind)
1. The LS is about 2 inches shorter then the V8 magnum. And for us with a 87 to 90 know how much that would help!!
2. All have alum. heads except for the early 6.0 motors.
3. Tuning is probably the easiest of any engine to get done.
4. Very easy to make 400-550 hp.

The disadvantages were
1. Could not find information on fitting a GM NV3500 and a 231 transfer case into my 87 truck. IE shifter location, clutch cylinder, etc.
2. Cost, (and I have no idea where Ralph is shopping) The LS motors run 2 to 3 times the cost vs a magnum. I believe the reason is, the LS motors are in high demand. These things are being transplanted into everything.
3. All the little misc. things that are going to show up when trying a conversion such as this for the first time.

Things that were pretty much a wash.
1. LS computer reprogrammed to remove VATS etc, and a new wiring harness for the motor. BTW the harness will require 4 spots on your vehicle to connect. hot switched, hot constant, fuel pump, and I think the 4th was ground. With the magnum, I would need a carb, intake, distributor.


Wanted to add one other thing, While I agree a 383-440 would be sweet, Id like to see one squeezed under the factory 87-90 dakota!! Knowing what it takes to squeeze a magnum V8 under there, well........

 

You can also run the LS on a carb and with a stand alone ignition controller; not how !I! would, but it's available.

But where would I buy a LS motor?

Probably at http://uautopullitautoparts.com/prices or http://pipesupullit.net/part-prices (the local Pipe's family; the first is the family chain, the second is from the "black sheep" brother.)

So for me, cheap. Well, same price as a Magnum would be *grins* Plus I could get the transmission and the electronics for the same price.

(If I do another motor, I'm seriously considering a Magnum V6 with cross drilled heads, and drop the 88's TBI intake and, well, TBI on it with the 88 distributor; use 93 exhaust, and that should get me the max benefit with minimal rewiring and replumbing. How well that would work, I don't know; but as a thought exercise, it should work ... )

As to the B/RB motor ... here's a funny thought. The "big blocks" (B/RB blocks) aren't really THAT much bigger; I'd hate to shove one into a 1987-1990 front clip, but by swapping to a 1991-1996 front clip, there's enough clearance for almost any motor.

OTOH, a Gen1 Hemi is smaller, center to center spacing on the cylinders, than a LA/Magnum block is (!!!) ... So I should be able to shove, say, a 325 CID Hemi under the hood a bit easier than the LA/Magnum V8 (!!!) (The Gen1 Dodge hemi) Shucks, the Gen4/Gen5 Hemi's are tighter than the LA/Magnum block is ...

RwP

RwP

 

Its almost a direct swap. In skill level its no different then swapping in a factory engine.

 

Lsdak sells adapter plates for $100.00. With a stand alone harness, it should be a fairly easy swap, (or as easy as most swaps go) and IMO if its 2wd and an automatic.
FWIW, I would never consider a carbed LS motor unless its a drag race vehicle only. The LS computer, along with aftermarket support is too easy to set up and loose all the benefits of EFI to go carbed on a street motor.
IMO the problems with using a Hemi motor, would be cost. The limited aftermarket support. And if Ralph says its smaller, I feel sure it is. But it sure looks a heck of a lot wider and longer, with its accessories vs the magnum and especially the LS motors.

For my truck, I want to keep the early front end. I also, dont want to reinvent the wheel. Im trying to take ideas from ragged89 and robertmee and combine them into my truck.
Hopefully it will be a NV3500 transmission, 231 transfer case, and a stock 5.9 magnum with a carbed intake and hei ignition. Latter maybe a set of EQ heads and a small cam.
If 250-350 hp and 350-400 lbs torque is enough for you, I would stay with a magnum.
If your wanting a 400-600 hp street motor then I would consider the LS swap.

 

I greatly disagree with that statement

 

Disagree all you want, doesn't change facts.