I'm working on building a 2nd gen Dakota with a small block mopar. I plan to make around 450 to 500 hp to the wheels but I've been told the stock nv3500 won't handle that. It's a two wheel drive truck and I plan to auto cross and drag race it. Most of the parts I'm using are junkyard parts. I don't want to be the fastest, i just want to have fun on a budget. Any ideas?

 

trying to keep it a manual or go automatic?

For manual, T56 swap. Gerko Conversions has everything you need. There's not a junkyard manual that will bolt up without going boom at some point, especially if you plan to beat on it.

For auto, either a 727, 904, or 46RE/46RH with a Martin Saine valvebody and his drum/clutch set. Again, at that power level, nothing from a junkyard is going to hold up very long.

 

Okay, ill look into it. Im definitely going manual.Thx

 

I think it's a viper T-56 and Gerko makes a flywheel and clutch setup for both the neutral balance 5.2 and external balanced 5.9. Not sure what's different about an F-body T-56, but it might work too.