Hi guys this is my first post, I've done research and reading on her a few times in previous time of inquiry and thought this would be a good place to ask this question!

So I have a 2001 Dodge 1500 Sport 2WD Short bed.
It was super cheap because it had front end damage (guy hit a concrete mailbox) and didnt want to repair it so sold it cheap! We originally got the truck, which came with a 5.2L, to replace the engine my younger sister blew in her 97'. Now her transmission is shot and shes looking at having to buy a new one as the old one is completely beyond repair and thus may be selling her truck entirely.

So I now I can either wait and get a 5.9L probably mostly stock and put it in OR get back the 5.2L that came in the truck originally, that had a number of minorish mods (improved ignition, different intake manifold, CAI w/o box, and a few other things).

So would it be best in the long run to just put the 5.2L back in it, or would I be happier finding a 5.9L and doing some small modifications myself? Since the MPG difference isn't enough for me to care, my main goal and priority is to get the most power I can without out having to do too much(Money is the problem here, not the know-how). So I guess its basically a question if the mods on a 5.2L make it better or even close to a very lightly modified 5.9L.

Anywho, I'm sure you'll be able to give at least a vague answer and any input from all the experience here would be greatly appreciated!

 

Nope...Can't beat displacement.

 

I just went from 318 to 360 and as long as you fix the plenum and have a fresh tune up, the 360 strait up has more power. I believe the 318 is more reliable if it comes down to it, 318 are internally balanced, 360 is external. Try to get a 360 from from a 1998 to 2001, they have 15 more HP than the older 360s

 

Think I would also be grabbing the mods off that 318 too..... the manifold alone is 600 bucks.....

 

Good point...If the OP does swap a 360 in, the 318 flex plate won't work.
Why do the newer 360s have more power?

 

Just tuning. The original 2nd gen 360/318 had 230/220 respectively. Later years had 245/230 respectively with torque at 330/300. For me, it was never enough to sway me from the 5spd for a measly 15hp and 30 lb/ft.

 

That was my thinking also, I wanted to see if I could swap out the manifold and some other things as we still do have the kegger and a few other parts from my sisters original blown engine that were fine. That way the engine would be sellable, and we get to keep some of its upgrades.

So why does the flexplate differ on the two? Im assuming it has to do with it being externally balanced or what?

Also, thanks for all the quick replies, I definitely want to go with the 360 seeing as its better in basically every way from what you've all said.

Is there anything special I'll need to do since I'm putting in a larger engine than originally came with it?

 

The 360 uses balance weights on the flexplate, 318 does not. Also, I don't think the 318 plate will bolt to the 360 crank.... bolt holes shouldn't line up.

 

I fits, ran one on my 360/408.

 

Hhhmmm...

Ya know, as I recall, I think we had a thread here where someone put their 318 flexplate on their swapped-in 360 as well. I must be stuck back in my GM days.