i've got a 97 Dakota with a 318, i'm looking for some information on general engine specs on both the 318 and 360 motors...i'm new to mopar motors so i'm not sure exactly what all is the same and different (ie. intake manifolds, head bolt patterns, port sizes, valve lift, etc)

couple other things...

is there an easy solution to always breaking traction in first gear? I've got the 5 speed manual tranny, and i realize that with a first gear that's as deep as this one is i don't have many options...and it's worse in a truck with no weight on the back end. The only solution i've come up with is softer and wider tires, any ideas?

Also looking for very light modifications to do to the 318. A K&N filter is a given, i know. But what else is available for these motors? Where are the restriction points...the exhaust manifolds, the intake ports, the heads? I read somewhere someone mentioning a throttle body upgrade, but does it really do anything on a Mopar motor? I know for GM, you've gotta have a HUGE beast of an engine to require anything more than a 48mm, and i don't see the 318 mag needed that much larger of a TB. Thanks for any help!

~Kurt Kraft