I'm hopefully getting close to fixing up our 95 Ram. I could use some help figuring out what I need to build an engine for an OBD1 truck. I can't just use a tuner, so do I need a stand alone ECM or what? I'm not sure where to start researching that.

What I'm after is a powerful daily driver type engine that I can pull a trailer or put a snow plow on it if I want. I'd love 800-1000 horsepower, but realistically can I get 300-400 HP that pulls hard from 1500-3500 and decent up to 4-5000? I guess I'm looking for torque more than horsepower I guess. I don't want something that barely idles and pulls from 3000-6000 RPM.

Are the EQ heads my best option? Or is there a better option? I don't want to have to rob a bank, but I'm willing to spend money if a specific part will make a big difference. I guess I don't want to be cheap, but cost effective. I'd be willing to buy a crate engine, short block, or long block. So far the crate engines I've found are the higher RPM type engines.

I'm planning on 33-35 inch tires with 4.56 gears. It's mostly 55 MPH where I live in Wisconsin. We do have 65 and 70 MPH roads about 20 miles away that we get on sometimes. What is realistic to pay for an engine like this? The last engine I built was in the 90's, LOL.

 

Only way to get 800hp that low is a turbo. Realistically you would be into 12K. Im into 7k on a 408 with only 500hp and 625 ft lbs

 

OBD1 support is non existent, Better to upgrade to OBD2 or go stand alone.

 

This.

Going to the 96-97 electronics would be easiest, and possibly cheapest. Other option would be a standalone system, and eliminate the Dodge PCM altogether. Of course, going to OBDII would mean a different transmission as well.

 

OBDll has little support to though. Idk maybe im just stubborn

 

So how do I do a stand alone ECM? Who makes a good one? It replaces the stock Dodge PCM?

 

I'd like to keep my transmission there's only 5-10,000 miles on it.

 

OBDII has a LOT more support than OBDI...... Of course, "any" is much better than "none".

Then flash the pcm for the engine with a manual trans, (still need the OBDII pcm, etc.) and get one of the aftermarket kits to deal with TCC, and O/D.

 

Do I need to change the whole harness, or just plug in a OBD2 PCM? And what would one of those kits be called?

 

Whole harness. A trans controller