Hi everyone I have been searching the internet for a good Dodge forum. I have been a dodge fan for many years. I have a 1966 dart, and a 99 durango. The Durango is getting tired, it has 147,000 miles on a 5.2. I am looking to restore it. I am thinking a 5.9 with less than 50,000 and a trans to match. Can anyone recomend the direction I should take? I have heard the crate motors last almost exactly 3 years. I will post a picture after I waash it!

 

you could just do an overhaul on your 5.2 and add a stroker to it. this forum is amazing and the wealth of information you will find on here and from the members is awesome. sometimes there's a little poking of fun at each other so if that happens dont take it personally cause it will happen to everyone on here eventually. Welcome to the forum and enjoy!

 

+1 stroker

Never seen anyone do a stroker out of a 5.2L tho. Anyway there are crate motors that are high performance if you are interested as well. http://www.precisionengine.com/rebui...ge-magnum.html

 

Why would a crate only last 3 years? And why is 147k tired-type mileage?

IndyD

 

I'm at 161k on the odometer and my lowest cylinder was 152psi on the compression test the rest were 156-159psi. The only reason that one is lower that I can figure out is I had a electrode bridge break off of the spark plug on that cylinder (no it wasn't an e3 it was a champion, those of you who read this know what I'm talking about ). Any ways I've heard a 318 can be taken to like 390ci, I know it was more than 380ci. Supercharger, turbos, there are lots of directions you could take this build. Custom tune by hemifever with a custom built tranny, maybe 4.56 gear. That thing would haul @#$

 

Ya that sounds about right, however you are using the same block as the 5.9L, so if you get all new internals including crank, heads, lifters.....ect, then you should be able to run it as a 5.9L. However the Crate motor link I provided also has built 408 stokers for sale for bolt in. Here is the entire back link: http://www.precisionengine.com/rebui...nes/index.html

 

Those prices aren't bad for that kind of performance.

 

I might have to explain a little more. My wife is loving the rango's looks (she calls it shrek, big smile and big mirrors) so she wants it like brand new under the hood. We want to be able to just jump in and go without worry. I am looking for fresh that I can put a mild chip in, do some air intake upgrades, and exhaust. I am trying to get it to performe like my V6 Camry. We get about 18 miles per gallon so it costs at least 80.00 just to go home. I need reliability and gas milage. We live in N. Nevada but home is S.E. Idaho. We have nasty winters and reliability is key. Thanke for all of the responses this forum rocks.

 

Then you need to buy a different vehicle, not dick around with swapping motors. You don't buy or drive a Durango for good gas milage.

As for under hood being clean and the vehicle being reliable, that doesn't have to be a function of replacing everything as new. That is an ongoing function of upkeep and maintenance.

IndyD

 

Ya I get the up-keep part, but if a person buys newer and beter parts they should need less up-keep. I just want my durango to have the ability to run the BAJA 1000 sitting stock level but use it for travel. I don't want HP for racing I want it for ease in climing paved passes and better fuel on strait flat roads. I am all over the new durango, but my wife wants hers.