96 Dakota 2wd 5spd Project
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1
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Currently swapping a 5.7 hemi into a 1989 dakota biggest hurdle I’ve run into is headersQUOTE=cd36c;3413190]They aren't done often but I'm sure it's doable. I haven't looked at the size of a hemi vs 318 but I think they are fairly close to one another.
The biggest hurdles Imo are going to be the motor mounts, probably need to fabricate something. And the engine controller, you're probably best off going custom with something like a megasquirt. I think that would be alot easier than trying to scab in a harness from a 1500. Unless you just went carbureted, but why would you want to do that.
Definately going to want to upgrade to a 8 3/4 or 9 1/4 rear end. I know the 9 1/4 has been done easy enough, not sure on 8 3/4.
One thing to watch out with your manual transmissions is shifter location. Ram manual transmissions typical end up with the shifter under the dash when put into Dakota's. I imagine if you steal one from say a challenger 6 speed you'll end up with it behind you but I don't honestly know, just throwing things out there to watch for.
Make sure you don't ignore things like suspension (gotta get that power down) and brakes (with a 9 1/4 swap should be able to get some nice beefy disc brakes back there, front will be more difficult).
Good luck![/QUOTE]
The biggest hurdles Imo are going to be the motor mounts, probably need to fabricate something. And the engine controller, you're probably best off going custom with something like a megasquirt. I think that would be alot easier than trying to scab in a harness from a 1500. Unless you just went carbureted, but why would you want to do that.
Definately going to want to upgrade to a 8 3/4 or 9 1/4 rear end. I know the 9 1/4 has been done easy enough, not sure on 8 3/4.
One thing to watch out with your manual transmissions is shifter location. Ram manual transmissions typical end up with the shifter under the dash when put into Dakota's. I imagine if you steal one from say a challenger 6 speed you'll end up with it behind you but I don't honestly know, just throwing things out there to watch for.
Make sure you don't ignore things like suspension (gotta get that power down) and brakes (with a 9 1/4 swap should be able to get some nice beefy disc brakes back there, front will be more difficult).
Good luck![/QUOTE]
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 109
From: Va
Currently swapping a 5.7 hemi into a 1989 dakota biggest hurdle I’ve run into is headersQUOTE=cd36c;3413190]They aren't done often but I'm sure it's doable. I haven't looked at the size of a hemi vs 318 but I think they are fairly close to one another.
The biggest hurdles Imo are going to be the motor mounts, probably need to fabricate something. And the engine controller, you're probably best off going custom with something like a megasquirt. I think that would be alot easier than trying to scab in a harness from a 1500. Unless you just went carbureted, but why would you want to do that.
Definately going to want to upgrade to a 8 3/4 or 9 1/4 rear end. I know the 9 1/4 has been done easy enough, not sure on 8 3/4.
One thing to watch out with your manual transmissions is shifter location. Ram manual transmissions typical end up with the shifter under the dash when put into Dakota's. I imagine if you steal one from say a challenger 6 speed you'll end up with it behind you but I don't honestly know, just throwing things out there to watch for.
Make sure you don't ignore things like suspension (gotta get that power down) and brakes (with a 9 1/4 swap should be able to get some nice beefy disc brakes back there, front will be more difficult).
Good luck!
The biggest hurdles Imo are going to be the motor mounts, probably need to fabricate something. And the engine controller, you're probably best off going custom with something like a megasquirt. I think that would be alot easier than trying to scab in a harness from a 1500. Unless you just went carbureted, but why would you want to do that.
Definately going to want to upgrade to a 8 3/4 or 9 1/4 rear end. I know the 9 1/4 has been done easy enough, not sure on 8 3/4.
One thing to watch out with your manual transmissions is shifter location. Ram manual transmissions typical end up with the shifter under the dash when put into Dakota's. I imagine if you steal one from say a challenger 6 speed you'll end up with it behind you but I don't honestly know, just throwing things out there to watch for.
Make sure you don't ignore things like suspension (gotta get that power down) and brakes (with a 9 1/4 swap should be able to get some nice beefy disc brakes back there, front will be more difficult).
Good luck!
How does the clearance look between the engine and the radiator? For magnum conversions, it requires removing the engine fan and putting a pusher fan in front of the radiator. (87-90) The 91 up have an extended nose.....
Also, consider the ford 8.8 rearend. I put one in my truck out of an explorer. Had to add 1.25 spacers to get back to stock width. I feel sure a better 8.8 selection is out there other then the one I used (width)