Do a google search on Dodge Dakotas withe the Hemi.. there are quite a few. As far as I know, the trans is good.

 

Yeah this is tough. I know that my stock trans will hook up to a Hemi. So that makes me lean towards it a little more. It also makes quite a bit more power. but your right since the 5.9L came in a dakota they'll have plenty of parts that will work fine. any idea how long it would take to do an engine swap? maybe a week or two? or are we talking months?

 

I'll PM you what I know haha
It all depends how much time you have. If you have a week or two to dedicate to it, and you have all teh parts, then it will take a week or two.

 

Nope. I bought an NV3500 from a 3.9 dakota for my 5-speed swap in my 4.7 WJ. Sucessfully.



I took it for it's first test drive yesterday





From what I've been able to deduce from all my reading...they all seem to have the same bolt pattern, or VERY similar, with like 1 or 2 bolt holes needing to be wallowed out

 

If not for the low price I got my Hemi motor with tranny for,I would have went with the 360 and got another transmission. The horsepower is cheaper and easier to get for a 360 than for a 5.7 Hemi. If you're looking to stay "Close to stock",and your going to drive it every day,I would go with the Hemi. The Hemi swap is not as complicated as it appears,but it will take time to study the wiring and figure out what each one connects to. I can help with that when you get ready.Just let me know..

 

Wow... yeah, sorry dude, but in my book, wallowing out 1 or 2 holes to make it the same is not the same as the bolt pattern being the same. I stand by my first statement... the bolt patterns are not meant to match up. If you want to jury rig it and trust it to hold, thats your problem, but I would personally never advise someone to do that.

 

318-360,motors have the 727 torque flite transmission pattern.
Hemi's and-4.7 have the 45 and 545-rfe. bolt pattern.
Without an adapter plate you can-not mix the two"Safely"..