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Engine difference

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Old Apr 28, 2008 | 04:30 PM
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Default Engine difference

What's the difference between the 5.9 and the 5.2 engines in these trucks. I have the 5.2 but I heard that the 360 really sucks the gas compared to the 318 is that true.
 
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Old Apr 28, 2008 | 04:35 PM
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Default RE: Engine difference

From what everyone says on the site, no. There's not a huge difference. Mayeb 1 mpg, but the power difference is amazing. I've had both a 318 that was carb'ed and a 318 that was TBI, and I now have a 360 that is TBI, and honestly, they both got the same MPG's. Althought the 318 was about 1 mpg less on the carb motor. Maybe 2. But not much difference.

the 318's and 360's were not designed for gas mileage. They were designed for torque. Pure pulling/hauling power.
 
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Old Apr 28, 2008 | 08:28 PM
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Default RE: Engine difference

Basically, the 5.2 is a 3.9 gaining 2 cyliinders. The 5.2 has a 8.9:1 compression,and the 5.9 has an 8.7:1 ratio. The 5.2 has a smaller bore and a shorter stroke, so it has an advantage 0-60 pulling or otherwise, but the 5.9 is better in top end. I have a 5.2, which I love, and I get just under 13 mpg, but I have a leaking pleneum and a lead foot, so I'm not a good one on mpg's........
 
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Old Apr 28, 2008 | 08:41 PM
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Default RE: Engine difference

I've had and have both and i lean mor for the 318 [5.2] it just seemed to have more power than the 360[5.9] that i drive now. but it did have a 5 speed in it and now i have an auto . but the 318 will get better gas mileage in auto or standard .
 
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 02:56 AM
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Default RE: Engine difference

If i'm not mistaken all magnum motors are 9.1:1 compression ratio...
 
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 03:37 AM
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Default RE: Engine difference

The V10 is different @ 8.4:1, but I believe you're right with the rest... according to what I've found online, the 3.9, the 5.2, and 5.9 are 9.1:1.
EDIT: Hmmm... I've just read several Jeep websites that claim their 5.9s have a 8.4:1 or 8.9:1 ratio. [sm=interesting.gif]
 
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 08:13 AM
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Default RE: Engine difference

Back in 2001 when I bought my Ram new from the dealer the 360 model set up exactly like my 318 model actually had a higher sticker MPG by about 2 mpg. I believe that this was due to the 360 not having to work as hard as the 318 to push these trucks around. That being said however, I believe most people that have the 360 also have a heavier right foot thereby reducing the MPG to less than the 318. I replaced the 318 in my truck with a modified 360 and while I have a lot more power with my 360, the 318 did get better mileage.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 09:47 AM
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Default RE: Engine difference

ORIGINAL: turkeyhunter1962

Back in 2001 when I bought my Ram new from the dealer the 360 model set up exactly like my 318 model actually had a higher sticker MPG by about 2 mpg. I believe that this was due to the 360 not having to work as hard as the 318 to push these trucks around. That being said however, I believe most people that have the 360 also have a heavier right foot thereby reducing the MPG to less than the 318. I replaced the 318 in my truck with a modified 360 and while I have a lot more power with my 360, the 318 did get better mileage.
I was thinking about eventually replacing my 318 with the 360. Other than the computer, what else has to be changed?
 
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 02:20 PM
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Default RE: Engine difference

Actually you're 318 computer will work as the PCM is a learning computer and will learn about your new 360. However, everytime it goes back to base settings it will revert to the 318 information. Purchase a used 360 PCM for the same truck as you have and you will actually be better off.

The only difference between the 318 and the 360 is that the engine balancing is totally different. The 318 is an internally balanced engine. This means that all of the balancing comes from the crankshaft. The crankshaft damper, and automatic transmission flexplate contain no balancing.

The 360 is an externally balanced engine. The crankshaft has absolutely no balancing as all balancing comes from the crankshaft damper and transmission flexplate. To do the 318 to 360 swap, you must use a 360 damper and flexplate. If you have a stick shift, I am sure the flywheel is where the balancing occurs on the 360.

When I did my swap I used all of my 318 parts except for those two things. I used the 318 distributor, intake manifold, throttle body, timing chain cover, motor mounts, etc. The parts are a direct swap.
 
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 02:51 PM
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Default RE: Engine difference

ORIGINAL: turkeyhunter1962

Actually you're 318 computer will work as the PCM is a learning computer and will learn about your new 360. However, everytime it goes back to base settings it will revert to the 318 information. Purchase a used 360 PCM for the same truck as you have and you will actually be better off.

The only difference between the 318 and the 360 is that the engine balancing is totally different. The 318 is an internally balanced engine. This means that all of the balancing comes from the crankshaft. The crankshaft damper, and automatic transmission flexplate contain no balancing.

The 360 is an externally balanced engine. The crankshaft has absolutely no balancing as all balancing comes from the crankshaft damper and transmission flexplate. To do the 318 to 360 swap, you must use a 360 damper and flexplate. If you have a stick shift, I am sure the flywheel is where the balancing occurs on the 360.

When I did my swap I used all of my 318 parts except for those two things. I used the 318 distributor, intake manifold, throttle body, timing chain cover, motor mounts, etc. The parts are a direct swap.
Thanks a ton for the info. When my engine gets close to 150,000 miles, I'm planning on building a 360 from the block up. So the only things I'll actually need (other than engine internals) is the crankshaft damper and flexplate? Sweet!
 
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