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Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body #1106013
11/02/11 03:00 PM
11/02/11 03:00 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Holland, MI
craigtone Offline OP
member
craigtone  Offline OP
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Posts: 4
Holland, MI
Hello! I have spend the day searching online for Magnum swaps, 727 vs. A518, and found the best threads on Moparts, so I joined! I ended up with a 1973 Charger a year ago through a swap of various vehicles. The car is in good shape with solid floors and a running 318/727. The engine is not original, so not worth keeping since the previous owner put in a ridiculous cam and 360 heads ... i.e. No low end!

My goal is a retro rod with MPFI, 4-wheel discs and lowered. If I want power later I can re-gear or add a Jeep 5.2L supercharger setup.

I recently parted-out my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I kept the engine, engine wire harness, PCM, A/C parts. I was thinking of dropping this in the Charger since I already have the engine and all the wiring, etc. I am now looking at either a 727 or A518 and saw a mention of a way to get an A518 into a B-Body with only modifying the case ... anyone have a link?

I have heard the starter is on the opposite side on Jeep vs. Dodge Magnums. Curious if anyone has a Jeep Magnum in their B-Body and how you handled headers with starter opposite.

Any tips, thoughts, concerns, comments, etc.?

6900258-73se_s.jpg (431 downloads)
Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: craigtone] #1106014
11/02/11 03:23 PM
11/02/11 03:23 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
R
RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
RapidRobert  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
Quote:

Any tips, thoughts, concerns, comments, etc.?


welcome! I hope your sanity is not an issue as we have enough of that (on here) to deal w the way it is now. Yes you'll find the answers here and Googling moparts threads works for me


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: RapidRobert] #1106015
11/02/11 03:57 PM
11/02/11 03:57 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
Montclaire Offline
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Montclaire  Offline
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Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
Well, I am looking at doing the same with a 5.7 hemi as opposed to a 5.2/5.9, but you already have the motor, so...

I don't see any issues with bolting the motor up, I'm pretty sure Schumacher sells mounts. I don't know about the 518 going in easy, I think at the very least you'll need some major trans x member surgery. And don't forget on the later Bs you have that extra cross member for the iso suspension, which might hamper things even more.

Mopar Action and MP teamed up to put out a complete FI swap kit for the magnum, and did a full write up across several issues. I would take a look at that and maybe get a few back copies. The project was called the "Savvy Savoy." I don't recall what they used for the trans.

In my opinion, four wheel discs are a waste. Most of the braking is done by the front rotors and even with 10 inch rear drum, if they are in good shape, you should be fine. I would recommend swapping to the newer manual master and upgrading to 11.75 unicast rotors (or rotorpros).

To lower the car, crank down the torsion bars a bit and get some de-arched leafs for the rear. Do it the right way.

Last edited by Montclaire; 11/02/11 04:03 PM.
Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: Montclaire] #1106016
11/02/11 05:46 PM
11/02/11 05:46 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,658
A
Andrewh Offline
master
Andrewh  Offline
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I did the 5.9 magnum swap into a 65 b body.
but it came out of a durango.
the 5.2 is same dimensionally as well as mounts and oil pan.

you need the 360 LA oil pan and gasket set with pickup.

I used my old 727 since it was easier then figuring out the controler for the 518.

BUT since you are keeping the old ecu and stuff, I think you have to go all or find a manual ECU so it doesn't trip codes if you keep the old 727. plus you would have to notch it so you can keep the crank sensor.

you can use the old 318 mounts and a spacer if you want. or as someone else said shcumaker mounts, which is what I did.

I used the durango exahust manifolds.
they worked just fine and cleared everything.

no idea on the jeep thing.

Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: craigtone] #1106017
11/02/11 06:12 PM
11/02/11 06:12 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
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dogdays Offline
I Live Here
dogdays  Offline
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It should be easy to get rear disks which, face it, look better unless you are using full wheelcovers! You should be able to do it with all OEM parts.
Try www.doctordiff.com for a kit.

Good luck,
R.

Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: dogdays] #1106018
11/02/11 07:49 PM
11/02/11 07:49 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,130
Dayton, Ohio
W
wldtm Offline
super stock
wldtm  Offline
super stock
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,130
Dayton, Ohio
I make a wiring harness to do this exact swap. It is pretty straight forward. I have helped with one swap, and the other one.

Look in the forsale section under Modern Mopar parts. Or I can add some tech assistance regarding wiring

Good luck, and cool project!


Interested in having you car wired? Drag car, street car, EFI swap? PM for details
Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: wldtm] #1106019
11/02/11 08:00 PM
11/02/11 08:00 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,195
ILLINOIS
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volaredon Offline
top fuel
volaredon  Offline
top fuel
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,195
ILLINOIS
the engine is the same whether it comes from a Jeep or a Dodge; the starter actually bolts TO the tranny not to the engine.

Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: volaredon] #1106020
11/02/11 10:01 PM
11/02/11 10:01 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 95
Ohio
R
ralphie361 Offline
member
ralphie361  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 95
Ohio
I did the EFI 5.2 in my Fury this spring with the help of wldtm and love it! I did it bargain basement with a parted out Dakota, and kept the 727. Used the stock 318 mounts, 360 car pan, 89 dodge hd truck 727 converter with 5.2 flex plate, notched bell housing. Ended up putting about 4000 miles on it this summer.

6900859-101_4708.JPG (860 downloads)
Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: ralphie361] #1106021
11/02/11 11:58 PM
11/02/11 11:58 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,327
Glendale, AZ
6
69L78Nova Offline
Banned. Forever.
69L78Nova  Offline
Banned. Forever.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,327
Glendale, AZ
I built a mild LA/Magnum hybrid 360, and an A500 for my 78 Fury (same as your 73 underneath). The trans went in with ease and only had to grind one casting rib off of the case and modify my existing crossmember. I'm using pressure switches from PATC, and a factory GM vacuum switch. The trans swap alone was WELL WORTH IT. It gets unreal gas mileage for what it is (well over 20mpg) once i set the Thermo-Quad up right, cruises 80+ mph with ease with 3.55s, and will fry the tires for as long as you want it to (3.9 converter and 2.74 first gear). I'll never run anything else behind a small block again.


1969 Nova
454/M21/3.31
Mild mid-11 second weekend cruiser

1994 F150 XLT Super Cab 2WD
5.0/4R70W/3.55
(Daily driver)
Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: wldtm] #1106022
11/03/11 10:21 AM
11/03/11 10:21 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
Montclaire Offline
master
Montclaire  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
Quote:

I make a wiring harness to do this exact swap. It is pretty straight forward. I have helped with one swap, and the other one.

Look in the forsale section under Modern Mopar parts. Or I can add some tech assistance regarding wiring

Good luck, and cool project!




I was looking at your ad in the for sale section, do you only do harnesses for 94-95 dakota/ram engines, or does it depend on what you can find? Can you give us a typical cost for this type of swap? Thanks

Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: Montclaire] #1106023
11/03/11 10:34 AM
11/03/11 10:34 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,936
GA
roadrunninMark Offline
master
roadrunninMark  Offline
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,936
GA
Welcome aboard, here is the link you are looking for to do the 518 mods:

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=23678.0

Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: roadrunninMark] #1106024
11/03/11 10:52 AM
11/03/11 10:52 AM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,379
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula Offline
I Live Here
Dragula  Offline
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Posts: 12,379
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
For the 518, you will want to talk with the folks at SMR Trans and purchase some of their upgrade parts to do it right. I built an A500 with all of their parts, and it wokrs awesome in my hotrod.

For EFI, if you get tired of trying to work out the factory set-up, I would suggest the FAST EZ efi....Love it.


'70 Cuda,...605 EFI Hemi Street Car (6.20 best pass, 1.33 60ft)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYw6RA-k5Bk (6.25 at 108.75mph from inside car)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zQEb9uxFng (6.25 at 108mph from outside car)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCvfzsC4NgM (9.9)

'66 Barracuda AWB Stretched nose Blown 440 Car in build stage

'71 Duster Drag Car 400 Low Deck 512 best 6.002 at 115.44mph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znuo3jMUXTk
Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: Dragula] #1106025
11/03/11 11:10 AM
11/03/11 11:10 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,122
Grand Haven, MI
patrick Offline
I Live Here
patrick  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,122
Grand Haven, MI
nope, not crazy. I have a mag headed 318 in my 4000lb 5th ave with 3.55's and a 42RH (A500). very fun combo, as fast as an AWD 300C. mine's carbed and modded with a reground cam, eddie air gap, 600 carb, and headers. wish I had EFI on it, I have 2/3 the parts to do it, just not the time.

if you want some more gusto, take the cam, send it out to bullit cams, and have Tim put the HR259/316 lobe on both the intake and exhaust lobe, keeping the stock LCA. then get the hughes engines #1110 springs and their retainers. it'll make a ton more power, but still be mild enough to work with a factory ECU. a stock high stall lockup converter will work great with it.

Last edited by patrick; 11/03/11 11:14 AM.

1976 Spinnaker White Plymouth Duster, /6 A833OD
1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod **SOLD!***
2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T
2017 Grand Cherokee Overland
2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)
Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: patrick] #1106026
11/03/11 11:27 AM
11/03/11 11:27 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
Montclaire Offline
master
Montclaire  Offline
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Posts: 7,979
Scranton, PA
Does the 500 have a smaller case than the 518? Does anyone sell new trans x-members for these swaps?

Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: patrick] #1106027
11/03/11 11:27 AM
11/03/11 11:27 AM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 68
Colorado
6
68FuryIIIColo Offline
member
68FuryIIIColo  Offline
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6

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 68
Colorado
Great Idea!!! I did the A518 conversion on my 65 Dodge D200. Since it's a truck there was no modifications to the floor of the truck at all. I am using the Superior transmission vacuum switch and a couple 44 and 50 psi TH 350 pressure switches for the LU/OD. I grabbed transmission lines from an a518 (3/8") as well as the detent cable and brackets. I put a Superior shift kit in as well.
Now for the fuel injection I'm doing a Holley throttle body controlled by a Megasquirt ECU. I could not go with a EFI from a Magnum motor because I have a 318 Poly in the truck with only about 68000 on it right now. So far with the A518 conversion I can get about 16-18 maximum on the highway. My engine runs at about 2100 at 70MPH with 4.10 gears in the Dana 60. It is well worth the investment! My project cost including fluid, clamps, hoses, and all the little crap was $575...nope...$455, I just sold my NP435 on Craigslist for $120. Good luck and have fun with your project!

Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: Montclaire] #1106028
11/03/11 11:45 AM
11/03/11 11:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,907
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR Offline
I Win
JohnRR  Offline
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Posts: 74,907
U.S.S.A.
Quote:

Does the 500 have a smaller case than the 518? Does anyone sell new trans x-members for these swaps?




The maincase is smaller but I want to say the OD is the same .

Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: JohnRR] #1106029
11/03/11 01:51 PM
11/03/11 01:51 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,122
Grand Haven, MI
patrick Offline
I Live Here
patrick  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,122
Grand Haven, MI
Quote:

Quote:

Does the 500 have a smaller case than the 518? Does anyone sell new trans x-members for these swaps?




The maincase is smaller but I want to say the OD is the same .




yup, the front case is the same as a 904, while the 518 is the same a 727, the OD/tailshaft is the same for both.

I built my bolt-in lower crossmember on my M out of 2x4 tubing and some 1/4" plate.


1976 Spinnaker White Plymouth Duster, /6 A833OD
1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod **SOLD!***
2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T
2017 Grand Cherokee Overland
2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)
Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: Montclaire] #1106030
11/03/11 03:26 PM
11/03/11 03:26 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,130
Dayton, Ohio
W
wldtm Offline
super stock
wldtm  Offline
super stock
W

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,130
Dayton, Ohio
Quote:

Quote:

I make a wiring harness to do this exact swap. It is pretty straight forward. I have helped with one swap, and the other one.

Look in the forsale section under Modern Mopar parts. Or I can add some tech assistance regarding wiring

Good luck, and cool project!




I was looking at your ad in the for sale section, do you only do harnesses for 94-95 dakota/ram engines, or does it depend on what you can find? Can you give us a typical cost for this type of swap? Thanks




the harness will fit most all magnum engines. Since it is not new, I use a modified dakota harness. then engine doesnt care what the harness is out of. I use the 94-95 dakota because of ease.

I have set up all ready to do for someone interested.

I have a harness and computer forsale I think for 300$
Fuel pump additional 130$
Regulator about 30-50$

The rest is finding mounts, oil pan, and misc hoses, fuel lines, fittings etc.

Ask ralphie361. He has a good idea I bet in what he had expenses in.

Thanks for inquiring.


Interested in having you car wired? Drag car, street car, EFI swap? PM for details
Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: wldtm] #1106031
11/03/11 10:24 PM
11/03/11 10:24 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 95
Ohio
R
ralphie361 Offline
member
ralphie361  Offline
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R

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 95
Ohio
It was a relatively economical swap, which was good because I didn't want to spend too much on a 4 door c body:) Besides the wiring, fuel pump and filter, there were only a few things that add up. I think I had about $100 in plumbing the fuel sytem, and another 100 in a pass thru speed sensor so I could keep my speedometer and cruise, but still send a signal to the pcm. I ended up putting a mopar performace pcm in it, but it was a $50 craigslist find. I had to buy a car 360 pan and pickup because the 5.2 magnum has the same pan rails as a 360, not a 318. All of my mounts worked from the 318, and I actually used the y pipe off of the Dakota donor truck because I am cheap:) I need to eventually have an exhaust bent because it hangs low. I purchased the dakota donor with a blown trans for $300 and got my money back when I scrapped the bare shell, so I only have $400-500 invested in the swap. Probably the best bang for the buck mod I have ever done!

6902562-101_4708.JPG (456 downloads)
Re: Am I Crazy? 5.2L/A518 -> B-Body [Re: ralphie361] #1106032
11/04/11 08:42 AM
11/04/11 08:42 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,122
Grand Haven, MI
patrick Offline
I Live Here
patrick  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,122
Grand Haven, MI
ralphie,

what did you do for the fuel pump/fuel system? inline pump?

wonder how I could do this with mine, since I have a mag headed LA 318, so I don't have the crank sensor mount location....


1976 Spinnaker White Plymouth Duster, /6 A833OD
1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod **SOLD!***
2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T
2017 Grand Cherokee Overland
2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)
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