Hey all, I've got a 91 W150 with a 5.2l LA in it right now. Piston rings are mostly gone, it's started burning oil. Was just curious if it's feasible to do this swap and what I'd need to convert to get it to work. Thanks for any help!

 

depends on what you want to spend and what you want to do. do you want to keep the TBI or would you be wanting to go MPFI?

 

This would be the first time I've done something of this caliber, im very much a novice. Thats why i figured itd be best to ask. I'm in college so not exactly flush with cash. I've got some friends who are mechanics to call if I need help, but I'd like the experience.

 

Have you done a dry and wet compression test or a Leak down test to see how bad the rings are? I would guess it may cost about $1000-1500 in part plus cost of the engine which I assume you may already have. You will need a carbed magnum intake, an adapter to put the tbi on and a neutrally balanced flex plate. May also be a bunch of other stuff depending on if there is any parts missing from the magnum.

 

I haven't done a test yet, but it makes a nice cloud of smoke whenever it idles for over 5 minutes or I hit the gas hard at a stop light. It's not dead yet, but would like to have something set to go when it does. Thanks for the help, doesn't sound like I need too much. I appreciate it!

 

You could always try running a bit thicker oil to make it a bit harder to seep past the rings. I have been running Rotella 15w40 in my 318's for a while. It also has a bunch of cleaners that may help keep the engine clean

 

I would definitely do a compression test, seems mopars need valve stem seals change regularly, like oil..... maybe not quite that bad but it could easily be the source of your oil. burning, I have/had a 318 with 200k plus smoking blue pretty bad comp test 180-190 across the board, so I'm certain it was the valve seals, never got to the repair so cant quite say that it fixed the issue or not, I also have a 360 here testing down in the 150s and it still doesn't smoke blue, at all

Not trying to discourage your swap, if thats what you have in mind, have at it. Just saying you could probably by some time to gather parts if you would like to, you could also stay with a 318 magnum and that would minimize trans adaptation issues and such there, not that its a big deal either, just need a different flexplate

the computer part will be the challenge if switching to MPFI, the blocks are the same so itll bolt in and everything easily

 

Speaking of computers.... since it's an OBD1 truck, if I were to still swap it to the 5.9 magnum, it would be pointless to cam it since no one tunes OBD1 anymore correct? I'd have to ****** a OBD2 harness off of a 96-97 truck and swap that over too if I understand properly. Probably won't do it since that's way beyond my (current) ability, am just curious.

 

You have an LA so going to the magnum you will need the computer and wiring any way unless you use the throttle body injection. You can rum a mild cam but anything more you need to tune it.

 

Yeah the current plan is to keep the TBI. Crazywolffie told me what I'd need to make that work. Could you tell me which mild cams would be best then? Trying to find the information online has been a pain. I appreciate it!