I currently have a 2001 Trans Am WS6 that I'm thinking of selling. I've cooked up the idea of picking up an old Duster or something similar. The V6 models go for cheap and I'm thinking of dropping a newer engine into it. I was wondering if anybody out there knew if a newer Dodge engine and transmission will fit into it or if there would be serious fitting problems. I don't exactly have money falling out of my ****** but after I sell my T/A I will have a little to play with. I used to have a Ram with a 5.9 Magnum and loved the power that came out of it being only stock and would like to put it in whatever I pick up. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

How much you selling the WS6 for?

 

You talking an early 70's type Duster? I would go with a 5.7L Hemi or if the price is right, a 6.1L Hemi. I think Mopar offers carb and efi versions of the Hemi in a crate engine with electronics.

 

ya' seen crate versions of both the 5.7 and the 6.1 carbed. Also seen some performance shops with 392 - 426 crate Hemi's..... hmmmmmmmmm.........

 

My WS6... was thinking of asking 12,000 for it, need to research it a little better still. I'm not going to be buying a new crate engine to drop in the Duster, Dart, or whatever if I pick one up. My plan is to find some jack*** who's wrapped his truck around a tree and pick it up for cheap and part out the rest of what I don't use.

 

the dusters came with a slant 6...a straight 6 leaned over. i think some more research should be done before you sell your daily driver and go for this project, unless of course this is not going to be a daily driver.

i'd skip the hemi's, if you are on a budget, and go for a stroked small block that wasn't from mopar performance. get a 727 trans, unless you want a manual, which will be more money, and a 8 3/4 rear.

if you want to swap a v8 in a slank six car expect to do some work and buying parts.

 

New Hemi into old car is easy now a days, there are a bunch of comany's making the swap "do it yourself" friendly.
Also if you get a wreck make sure you save the computor and all the efi stuff or you can buy a crate hemi that is set up for carb,distributor already from a few place.

just search around mopar site and mags you'll see plenty

Tim

 

this months car craft mag has a good write up on this topic
may 2009

I tried getting link