3.9 to 318 swap.
#1
3.9 to 318 swap.
i ran a search, but didnt find anything, and if this is in the wrong place i apologize, i wasnt sure where to put this.
i want to swap for a 318, but i was told id have to "beef up" my suspension, not only that, but i was also told that i would have to change the tranny, even though ive read that it bolts straight up, same bore, same stroke, just two extra cylinders, my question is, is it true id have to do all that?
if not, what about the ratios?
i want to swap for a 318, but i was told id have to "beef up" my suspension, not only that, but i was also told that i would have to change the tranny, even though ive read that it bolts straight up, same bore, same stroke, just two extra cylinders, my question is, is it true id have to do all that?
if not, what about the ratios?
#2
I've been doing research on this too, everything that I have read never mentioned anything about the suspension. Like you said it is a identical motor with the exception of the two extra cylinders. As for the tranny it should bolt right up and be fine. As for me I just figure when the tranny goes which it currently has 199,256 miles on it then I will just build it beefier. But I'm sure some one will correct me if I am wrong, which is fine with me cause I love learning too.
#3
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...ljbj3Q&cad=rja
Here is my swap. Kept tranny and kept suspension, it all worked 100% in the end.
Here is my swap. Kept tranny and kept suspension, it all worked 100% in the end.
#4
thanks alot, thats what i needed to know.
but i have another question now that you guys have answered that.
is it a good idea or a bad idea?
i like the dakota, because she has a nice body, midsized and enjoyable, but what i dont like is the way the V6 accelerates, the 318 should fix that right, and if so, what would my milage look like v.s the V6 considering weight to power?
but i have another question now that you guys have answered that.
is it a good idea or a bad idea?
i like the dakota, because she has a nice body, midsized and enjoyable, but what i dont like is the way the V6 accelerates, the 318 should fix that right, and if so, what would my milage look like v.s the V6 considering weight to power?
#5
It being worth it is up to you. If you can turn some wrenches and have a respectable set of air tools it can be a DIY project. Heck I did mine in my drive way under my carport.
With your truck being a 99, I can guarantee you all you would need is a 5.2 motor and a PCM from a 1999 Dakota 5.2. You can use your v6 harness and splice in the injectors like I ended up doing, or get a harness from a 1999 Dakota 5.2. ( I can't stress the importance of making sure the donor PCM and harness are from the same year truck)
The power gain was considerably higher than the 3.9, and as for gas mileage I actually got about 1mpg better than my v6. I dont know if that is because I rebuilt the motor brand new, or if the v6 is just a dog.
With your truck being a 99, I can guarantee you all you would need is a 5.2 motor and a PCM from a 1999 Dakota 5.2. You can use your v6 harness and splice in the injectors like I ended up doing, or get a harness from a 1999 Dakota 5.2. ( I can't stress the importance of making sure the donor PCM and harness are from the same year truck)
The power gain was considerably higher than the 3.9, and as for gas mileage I actually got about 1mpg better than my v6. I dont know if that is because I rebuilt the motor brand new, or if the v6 is just a dog.
#6
hahaha, alright, thats exactly what i thought, thanks man, i think im going to go ahead and drop in a 5.2 when i get a chance..... and find one.
i take it that if you happen to snag a pcm from the wrong year, you will likely end up with the wrong codes, so i think ill probably do that, unfortunately i cant do the drop myself, i can do light engine work right now but im still learning, also a little hard for an overhaul at an apartment :P
thanks again for the help, much appreciated.
i take it that if you happen to snag a pcm from the wrong year, you will likely end up with the wrong codes, so i think ill probably do that, unfortunately i cant do the drop myself, i can do light engine work right now but im still learning, also a little hard for an overhaul at an apartment :P
thanks again for the help, much appreciated.
#7
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#10
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...ljbj3Q&cad=rja
Here is my swap. Kept tranny and kept suspension, it all worked 100% in the end.
Here is my swap. Kept tranny and kept suspension, it all worked 100% in the end.