I found a great deal on a 1979 ram charger. I would like to use that motor in my 98 ram. I need to know if I would have any problems with mouting my tranny and are the front and rear gears better then than they are now? Many more question to follow with this swap so any input would be appreciated.

 

Any reasoning in the swap or is it just because? Sounds like a lot of work for no gain.

 

The '79 is an LA motor and does not have the magnum motor mounts.

The magnum intake will not bolt to the LA heads so you may have to go carbed.

If you go carbed you will need to get a 46RH so that the tranny will work without a computer. You will still need electronics to get the OD and lockup working.

If carbed you will need a way to regulate your fuel pressure down to 6 psi or so. Most regulators will not work as we have no factory fuel return line.

I know shadow14 (on pavementsucks) or something like that put an LA motor in his truck.

Chances are the gears are not better. They liked to put tall gears in older trucks to make up for no overdrive.

All in all the swap is way to much work for no gain as the factory magnums are much more powerful than any early 80's light truck motor (even some big blocks).

 

Unless that motor is really built, that'd be about the most counter-productive swap you could do. Late-70's/early-80's small blocks were substantially less powerful and much less efficient than the Magnum engines.

 

you can never find out what problems you will run into until you start doing the swap. the axles may or may not be better. everything depends what the truck has in it. it is a cool idea in my opinion.