my 99 has a few miles on it now, and im thinking that when the ole 318 goes I want more power so im opting for the 360...but I also would like to know what all it takes to do this swap and do it correctly?

1st off my truck is a 5-speed nv-3500, im sure that the tranny and t-case will bolt up to the 360 block, but are the engines the same balance? can I use all my 318 stuff with the new 360? since I just put a brand new tranny,flywheel,clutch,etc etc in it I dont want to replace stuff thats not "bad".

what wiring needs to be changed/modified?

and if im leaving anything out feel free to tell me, Im mechanically inclined but havent done alot of my work on mopar stuff

any help/insight would be GREATLY appreciated, if its alotta trouble i'll have a 318 on standby not the 360

Thanks!
Brad

 

For the most part, it is a direct swap. Just use your accessories (and sensors) off of the 318, and get a tuner to accommodate the larger motor.

The sticky part is, the 360 is externally balanced vs. the 318s internal balance, so, you will not be able to use your harmonic balancer, flywheel, etc. (I suspect the pressure plate, clutch, etc, is exactly the same.)

Another consideration is, the NV3500 won't last long behind a 360..... not even stock, and somehow I doubt that you would go to all the trouble of an engine swap, to put in a stock 360......

 

well I dont exactly plan on a "swap" but when the 318 lays down I will put a new engine in 318 or 360..im not doing it just to be doing it lol... the nv-3500 is brand new how long could I expect it to live behind all the new found power? If I went with the 360 chances of doing any big performance mods are probably outta the question. how much more power could I expect from a stock 360 over the 318? I mean its only 42 c.i lol

I dont know all the peformance #'s on these trucks in stock form, i'd imagine the 318 is in the 200hp range but not 100% on that.

say i bought a 360 from the junkyard that was complete, can I use the balancer and where in gods name will I find a flywheel thats for a 360 and a straight shift?

thanks

 

There was a reason the NV3500 never came behind the 360. They uniformly got the NV4500, and I think that was only in 3/4 or 1 tons. I would expect that the flywheel off of one of those would work.... There was another member that did this swap that had a manual trans.... might want to see if you can find that thread.

Other alternative would be to grab the engine/trans/transfer case/driveshafts, and get some "adapter" joints to mate them to your existing differentials.... Then sell off the excess parts to help pay for the job.

 

You'll have to wait a while...That 318 isnt going anythime soon!

 

oh I know the 318's not gonna lay down tomorrow (hopefully), They last forever...just a little under powered to my liking (sp) (it doesnt look right lol)....im just curious if the swap is worth it when the 318 does decide to take a crap. if its a considerable difference I may opt for the bigger cubic inches if its minimal then i'll rebuild my lil ole 5.2

 

Power is low? The 360 has 25 more horsepower and 30 Ft pounds over the 318.