Hey guys! I recently bought a 1986 d150 and I’m planning on making it into an R/T. It has a 318 with headers and four barrel Edelbrock Carb. I’m looking to find out which idea us better.
1. To stroke the 318 into a 390 and change the Edelbrock carb for a holley efi to make it more reliable.
2. Look for a durango like a 2005 with the 5.7 hemi and move everything onto the 86.
I don’t want a race truck, just something that will hold its own on the street and be reliable enough to be a daily.

 

The stroker would likely be easiest, the hemi swap would have the most character. (and also likely be the more expensive option.....) The Hemi would also likely produce more power, and still get better fuel economy..... (if "economy" can even be applied to a truck....) The earlier hemi's I think would be a good choice. Don't need to worry about VVT, or MDS...... Electronics would be a bit simpler, and they have already proven themselves to be quite reliable when properly cared for.

 

I was thinking the same thing about the cpu in the newer hemi being that not many tuners or mechanics like to work on them in my area. I was looking into a scat stroker kit and would like to know if anyone has used that kit on a 318

 

Obviously, you'd need to find the parts, but I'd swap a big block into it. They look impressive under the hood and the engine compartment will hold it as they were factory installed until 1978. Then again, the 318 has ample power for a pickup since it's so difficult to keep the rear wheels planted.

Something I've always wanted to do is get an old long ram manifold set and put a couple of small TBI units on it. Wall to wall engine.

 

Why not get a magnum 360 and stroke it to 408? You can put a A500/42rh behind it and have overdrive also. If you are looking for power you can stroke big blocks up to 496ci.

 

I don't think the 42RH would live long behind a 408.... 46RH would be better, and will fit without trouble, and can be built to stand up to the torque of the monster motor.

 

I think we're letting our experiences of 30, 40 and 50 years ago influence us and we're digging into the OP's pockets.

 

But its so much fun spending OTHER PEOPLES money.

Stick with what we are good at??

 

It depends on how much money we are spending for them. I'm known as a chea....er...thrifty sort at work. When we needed to order a new generation of lift trucks, they let me spec. them out. I drove lifts for nearly 40 years so I got what I thought would do the job. The guys got air ride seats and air conditioning. Three generations later, we still get the air ride seats and a/c as it cut WAY down on RMI and operator fatigue. At $56,000 per unit for a 3 year lease, it was really hard to sign my name to spend over $670,000 on the companies money. Even though it wasn't MY money.