Hey I have been thinking about maybe putting a performance 360 in my 99 Dakota. Does the 360 use the same wiring harness as the 318? And is this anything I should be aware besides the trans? thanks

 

I am guessing it is the same, as they are pretty much the same engine, just bored out a bit. I am doing a 3.9 to 5.9 swap here. Just changing the CPU, Harness and Engine. Everything else I think bolts in. Hope that helps a little, ask a autowrecker or wherever your getting the engine from...

 

Thats pretty much what I thought too. Since my dad works for Chrysler he gets a pretty darn good discount so I thought about a crate mopar performance 360. 390hp isn't so bad lol (just gotta work a lot this summer again). My 42re isn't going to like that either

 

I don't think mine will that much either but none the less, i thought the crate motors were less power. How much of a discount maybe you can send one my way if it's not too pricey.. lol.

 

I called the dealer today they told me they had the standard 360 $4,300 and the 390hp 420lbs torque version is $5,300 and they would give my dad 35% off. not a bad deal

 

moe in wichita ks
years ago i put a 360 in a 82 ram that had 318. the difference is the left front motor mount, the 340 and 360 are either more forward or back. this means the bracket has to be for which ever engine. i have read that you can cut and past the bracket. also the 360 is exteranel ballanced, ie weights on the touqe converter. B & Mmakes a weighted flex plate so you can use a 318 converter. the trouble is that the weights on the flex plate rubs the plate covering the converter.it only rubs the dimple, so i made a aul flat plate to go over the conveter. i had to cut the part thats under the starter, so the starter is spaced right.the flex plate from b m lets your engine machinist to ballance it a coustom ballance. also you may need a bigger rad. also a 318 oil pan will not fit a 360, the part that goes over the rear main berg is small on a 360, front is same. remember a oil pan has to fit the engine as well as the frame, dont try to force a pan into the wrong frame. on ext system dont use cad plated bolts, do use anti-sieze compound on threds, ALL threds.

 

Well I know from the 3.9 to 5.9, one bracket has to be ground down a bit but after that it fits...

Look for weights on the fly wheel some were balanced like this...

I also wanted to ask this, I had a person tell me I need the same year PCM and Harness as my truck? Any ideas if this is true? I could see it but I don't see why a 98 pcm won't work in a 97 dakota... Any thoughts?