First of all, Hi, I'm new. My buddy has a '98 Ram 1500, 5speed 4wd. His origional 318ci engine just went out, and he was looking to replace it. I am wondering what we may be getting into with this swap? He already has the engine, it is a brand new crate motor. I tried searching for topics on the swap but cam up empty handed.
What exactly are we going to need to do the swap? I read somewhere that the motor mounts will need to be changed a bit, but will the computer, and the origional engine harness work? What about the intake, injectors, etc? Any and all help would really be appreciated!
Thanks,
-Casey

 

I have done this swap on my 93 dakota. It is easy. The externals are exactly the same inbetween the two. So motor mounts and tranny will bolt up to stock locations. There is only 2 things that are different inbetween them and that is the harmonic balencer and flexplate. The rest is the same like intake, injectors. The stock computer will work fine. But if you can get a 5.9 computer that will give you more power and economy.

 

So will I have to find a computer from a '98 5.9L truck, that has a manual tranny? Or will other years(still 2nd gen.) work?

 

It is best to find a computer from the same model and year as your truck. You also have more options than I did with my 01 when I did the same swap in that you might still be able to obtain a Mopar Performance PCM which will really wake up your new engine. I had a automatic tranny so I had to replace the flex plate. I'm not certain how the flywheel/flexplate set-up works. Since the 360 is externally balanced andthe 318 was not, I would assume that there is something different in that part of the setup.

To find a used Computer look at www.car-parts.com for your area. You should be ableto locate one.

 

I did the swap, you need to change the flywheel and the balancer (75 for the balancer,220 for the flywheel but 150 of that is core charge at local part store) I have my stock computer and I am running lean and causing drivabilty issues. I am currently trying to track down a computer (thanks to help with this sites members on narrowing it down to the computer) everything else bolts up. My truck origanally had a auto trans, and I swapped in a 5 speed years ago never changed the computer then. I am by no means saying that any trans computer would work, but I didn't have any issues, until I went with the 360.