im lookin at buyin a 360 block and building it to replace the v6 i want to keep it stick im not sure what parts can still be used as far as drivietrain trans rear driveshaft how diffrent the engine mounts are i have done a lot of work on 73-87 chevys and 81 dodge but i never had a truck this new so i dont know much about them

 

There is so much that needs to be changed you sure you would not rather sell your current truck and buy one with a 5.9L in it ?

 

the 5.2 is more like the 3.2 its almost the exact same except for 2 more cylinders. i'd say if your gunna do it, use a 318(5.2)

 

i looked at the r/t when i was lookin at buyin a new truck but they are to expensive and a short block 360 is 1300 and ill just build it new heads and internals i thought about a 318 cause that was in my 81 but im not sure i was gonna build a lil red express motor for it thats why the 360 i can make it carburated out here no emissions testing

 

It would be better to start with a 318 powered truck. The 5.9 doesn't make that much more power and the expense of upgrading the entire drivetrain on a 3.9 is too great.

But if you're going to do a swap there's absolutely no reason to use a 318 over a 360 unless you have the 318 already. Sure, the bore and stroke of the 3.9 and 5.2 are the same, but who cares? That's about the only thing they've got in common.

If you do all the work yourself I'd be surprised if you get it done for under $5k.

 

well iwould probaly have to change alot any way for more power but i plan on building the lil red express motor and doin a little more work to it

 

Go for it. Please keep notes and pics, I'd like to see how the progress goes.

 

the only problem is the lil red express put out less hp then to dakota r/t s i was a little surprised when i was readin my mopar engine book