Been reading through the threads and not found my answers, So my 1997 Ram 1500 4x4. It has the original 318 with 354000 miles on it. still runs well. I either want to go to a reman 318 or move up to a 360 what will I need to do if I go 360. I love this truck so I am trying to make it bulletproof It has a 46RE which works well. I am a cheap bastard so any cost effective comments are welcome I want to re-use as much as I can, this old girl passes smog every time, changed the cat once, A/C system is all new trans was done 40000 mi agog, may change the transfer case since rebuilding may cost more than replacement and I hate rebuilding t-cases. Thanks in advance look fwd to your ideas and comments...

 

Easy list off would be a PCM tune for the bigger engine, and a torque converter with balance weights. There is not much other physical differences, providing you spec the same year engine for the swap.

Personally I fell the 318 is better daily driver motor but i you're looking to tow, the 360 will probably shine

 

I'd go with the 5.9 (360) magnum engine for your swap. You can swap a used PCM in a '97 Ram from a truck that had a 5.9 in it. A '96 or '97 PCM will work for you. Check car-part.com or a local pick and pay salvage yard. I just sold a '97 PCM from a truck that had a 5.9 engine and a 46RE transmission to a guy that needed a PCM for his truck that he was repairing. He let me know that the PCM I sold him fixed his issues.

As was mentioned, you will need a 5.9 flexplate with the weights on it to work with a converter that has no weights on it. The 5.9 engine bolts into the same place as the 5.2.

The best part is the stock 5.9 engine runs on regular gas, just like the stock 5.2 engine..

 

Cheers