I have my dads original 1979 dodge pickup which has been in the family since new. It has 250,000 on the original 318 which is getting really tired. I have a 1998 donor van with a 318 magnum that I would like to swap out and keep the fuel injection. Can I use the original 727 which is good yet? Is there any suggestions out there to take in consideration before tackling this project? Thanks

 

Motor mounts I think are different, and the trans won't have the cutout for the crank position sensor. Also, the 98 runs darn near EVERYTHING thru the pcm, including the friggin gas gauge.... Using 98 or newer electronics would be problematic.

Now, the other option would be to use the engine and trans out of the van, but, get the electronics (pcm, wiring harness) from a 96-97 truck. There would be some re-pinning required to make everything work, but, you would get the newer motor, a trans with Overdrive, and fuel injection.

Sharp looking truck. Definitely worth saving.

 

IMO, a big part of a modern magnum swap is getting the OD/lockup trans that comes with it.

However, some were paired with a manual trans. That harness/ECM shouldn't care what trans you actually run.

The wiring may be simpler from a 92-93 donor - or at least pre-96 - compared to later OBD2 types.

 

motor mounts i believe are bolt in all the way up to 03. if not the magnum engines still have LA engine ears on them so you can bolt it in either way. is it 4x4 or 2wd? either way you would still need to cut the driveshaft to use a overdrive transmission but 4x4 makes things a lot more complicated and expensive. if you can use the overdrive transmission it would be the better way to go to make it more fuel efficient on the highway especially if you wanted to do a gear swap to 3.55 or 4.10 gears to make it a bit more of a fun toy.

keeping it fuel injected will likely be the trickiest part. i think the biggest thing is how good are you with wiring? you can buy hotwire harness's but those are usually $1k plus possibly needing the pcm programmed to your needs. not super cheap but can be done

 

Plus you will need to move back the the trans mount. A easier option (but no efi) is just do the magnum swap.
http://www.magnumswap.com/using-la-parts-on-a-magnum/

 

It is a 2-wheel drive. I really just want to make it a daily driver and power is nice but not a must. I was assuming that a 318 magnum alone would make it a lot snappier and more fuel efficient in comparison. The transmission has got a fairly recent overhaul and shifts great. I have done a little reading and guys have actually ground out the bell housing on the 727 to accept the crank sensor. Would that work? Just thinking that would make it a cheaper swap with no speedo issues. I am good with wiring so I don't feel that is going to be a huge concern

thanks

 

i doubt it would make it more fuel efficient. overdrive on the highway makes a huge difference(2-6mpg) but in town magnum and la 318's get the same poor fuel mileage.

 

Big part of the magnum snap and efficiency is the axle gearing crazzywolfie touched on. 3.90-4.10 gears and .69 OD (w/lockup) gives you more on the bottom *and* lower cruise rpm. You likely have 2.76-3.23 with the 727.

What I've learned from swaps over the years is to gut the donor with enough wiring to run the thing on your shop floor. Then shoehorn it into the recipient.

Moving a crossmember and having a driveshaft cut to length are relatively minor. Had to do both on my cummins ramcharger (2wd) project.

 

yup most vehicles that have overdrive transmission come with 3.55-4.10 gears from the factory. most vehicles that have the 727 come with 3.23 gears to keep the engine at about 2000rpm@50mph. with 3.55 and overdrive you can do about 55mph@2000rpm not like it is a huge difference but definitely helps you get off the line a bit quicker and would be better for towing or pulling.