I have a 97 dakota with a 3.9L V6 and 5 sp.
How difficult would it be to drop in a 5.2L, and would it be worth making the change? I assume that either the motor mounts are the same, or they would be fairly easy to get. Also, would the 5 sp. transmission be able to handle the higher load put on it? i havent done a ton of research on this so i dont know if dodge used the same nv4500 tranny with the 5.2 or not.
I would probably do the work myself, ive pulled and engine out and put one in before (6.2 diesel) but that was in a hmmwv. if anybody has any information on this that would be great.

Also, i think the rear end i have is something like 3.73 gears, and i'd like to change it to something closer to 3.5, are the ring and pinion gears available at a dealer or napa or something like that?
I appreciate the help.

 

swapping a 5.2 is as easy as using the search button

this question gets asked like once every 2 weeks.

I would just sell your truck and buy one that already has a V8 in it. it will be alot cheaper. cause by the time you buy the engine, tranny, mounts, wiring harness etc..... it will be close to 7-10k. it all depends on where you get the parts.

 

We need to make a big ATTENTION sign that says...dont swap sell it....No 33's will not fit on stock height truck....and almost everybody on this fourm like flowmaster...it seems like these come up all the time.

 

the only reason to swap is if your current engine is blown and you can't sell the truck for anything. You'll need a lot more than just the engine. Your current gears are 3.92 most likely. Yes you can order different gears from the dealer or from your local auto parts store, or www.ringpinion.com or www.summitracing.com

 

lol agree

 

I say you swap in a viper motor.

 

yeah if you are going to all the trouble call up chip foose and install a nice viper V10 with twin turbos now that would be wild.....lift it and install some 34's......yo pimp muh ride hehe

 

this is funny...every body wants to do the engine swap.. why ? if you live in a state where emissions are then it will fail , why you ask ? cause the VIN does not match the motor so when we scan it says it has a 3.9L when you have a 5.2L in it..guess what ? FAIL...The look on people face when they do this and this happens priceless...good luck with that swap..

 

Federal laws don't prohibit motor swaps. You can swap a newer motor into a car so long as that motor was offered in that vehicle and all of the emissions related parts are swapped over too.
That's oversimplifying it, but it's not like you automatically fail if you do it right.

 

Doh!
I think the 5.2 was replaced in 2000 with the 4.7.
I have a 2003 dakota that I was planning on swapping out the 3.9 with a 5.2.
Since the 5.2 was not offerred in 2003, does this mean it will not pass Smog in California?