I just bought a 1985 Dodge Ram truck to hunt with. 4x4 318 Automatic. It's a great truck that runs fine my only complaint is the power. I'm almost afraid to pull out into traffic. With a thousand dollars what the best way to get the most power? Other than spraying. Thanks.

 

I'm not sure which carb you have but just a rebuild and adjusting the idle mixture screws would do wonders. My '81 is a 318 2bl. Not a lot of power...won't spin a tire...but it is fine for driving in traffic.

If you want a little more I'd put a 4bl carb and intake on it and see if the timing might be factor retarded slightly for emissions. Next step would be a cam, lifters, and valve springs.

Derek

 

Or what is involved in swapping out for a 383 and 727 transmission? I found the pair for a pretty good price but don't know what is involved in the swap.

 

I've had a few 318's, and while you won't see 'em winning any drag races, they shouldn't be that bad. First step would be a good tune-up, including checking the compression ratio and timing. Is the trans starting out in low and shifting OK? Does it have the catylytic converter? Mine plugged and it was real slow. The 383 swap will be more headaches than it's worth, but a 360 will bolt right up and make you smile.

 

The short stroke, low compression 318 is never gonna be a torque monster. The only way to get H.P. out of a small mtr. is to spin the **** out of it. If the tuning doesn't help, I'd put a set of gears in it. Most of these trucks had 3.21 gears, which just suck for a heavy, small motored truck, especially with tall tires. Don't know what tire/gear you've got, but if your not doing alot of hwy. driving, throw at least some 3.91s in it with 33's. 35's at least 4.56s That'll help as much as anything,and will help the crawl ratio as well. Should be able to come in around $650-750 on price to do both axles, brgs and all.

 

Here... A 400Hp 318 on pump gas with bolt ons only. It's a build I plan to copy.

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/t...ild/index.html