My stock '84 D100 Custom only has 25,000 miles on it but it's completely gutless towing. I dont know if I should bolt on power to the current engine or look for a drop-in 360 at the salvage yard. I'm trying to get another 50hp or so as cheaply as possible. My budget is around $700. I could really use some ideas on what to do with it.

 

With 700 bucks, an intake manifold in carbed should be an easy horse gain. If any money is left over headers and a new carb will help too.

 

Headers, exhaust, mild cam.

 

An advantage of keeping your engine would be that you know it is in good condtion with low miles. If you shop around and buy used you could get an intake, four barrel carb, and headers for a start. I'm not sure if the timing chains are installed retarded in an '84 but if they are replace the timing chain and put a cam in it.

If you found a good condition 360 it would probably be the better way to go. In the future when you have money you could do the same upgrades to it and have even more power.

I know what you mean...my '81 W150 is cobbled together with a junkyard engine from what I can tell. Not much but a heck of a lot better than my Ranger. I pulled a '93 Blazer 4x4 (4.3L) on a tow dolly behind my '93 Ranger with a 2.3L and 5spd. Spun the tires at stop lights to get moving. Compared to that my Dodge has tons of power!

Derek

 

Only 360ci at the junkyard here was an EFI for $1200... little steep for me. I put together a shopping list at Summit, lemme know what you think.

Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifolds: EDL-3776 - summitracing.com$219.95
Summit Dual Exhaust Systems: SUM-CBJJ111 - summitracing.com$299.95
Summit Camshafts: SUM-6900 - summitracing.com $ 62.95
Used Thermoquad $100.00?
[hr]Total $682.85

Whats the story on changing headers/exhaust and emissions testing?

 

You have to e-test your 84? Damn, in Ontario, we don't e-test past 20 years, but if you use cats you should be fine on emissions. Anyway, I'd say you got a pretty good list there. Better than a swap in my opinion. Most people take into account buying the engine and dropping it in, but forget about all the other stuff that needs changed. That EFI motor was 1200, but then you need computers, harnesses, electric fuel pump, etc. And the guage cluster probably wouldn't work anymore. My D-150 came from the factory with a straight 6(according to the vin and engine bay stickers), somebody over time swapped in a junkyard 318, which presents mounds of problems. I don't know what the engine came from, which makes buying parts difficult, this sucks right now because I have a carb issue and don't know what carb it is(embarassing). My guage cluster doesn't work, which really sucks, because I have to keep the truck full at all times to avoid running out of gas, and I never know how fast I'm going, or how hot the engine is. I don't know if they changed the tranny when they changed the motor, which is my biggest problem right now because it dumped it's fluid all over the parking garage floor. I don't mean to hijack the topic with my own problems, just thought I'd let you in on the glory of a swapped engine.

Definitely go with the Intake, carb, cam, and exhaust, but check the edelbrock catalog, you might be able to get performer package(intake, carb, and cam in one box) for a good price, since you won't be going through a middle man.

 

I wouldn't go tfor the DIY exhaust, have a local shop do your custom. Mine only ran me $150 from the aftermarket Summit racing headers, to a cat I had, into a IMCO single chamber(loud).