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How hard would it be to install a 360 for my 318 1990 #1429220
05/02/13 02:08 PM
05/02/13 02:08 PM
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79machocharger Offline OP
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79machocharger  Offline OP
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I have a 1990 dodge ram 4x4 and I want to switch out the doggy 318 motor for a newer style 360 that is out of a 2001-2003 Durango r/t or Dakota r/t. Would it require a lot of work to do this or would it be pretty easy? Thanks for any help.

Re: How hard would it be to install a 360 for my 318 1990 [Re: 79machocharger] #1429221
05/02/13 02:39 PM
05/02/13 02:39 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383 Offline
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that's an OBD-I computer right? I don't know how easy/hard it would be to get a computer to run it, but otherwise, it'd be very simple. Magnum blocks have the LA ears so they can go into vehicles that had LA engines.

don't be hard up for a motor out of an R/T truck because they all got the same motor. the 5.9 in a panel van work truck is the same as the 5.9 in a Dakota R/T. (for the same model year...there's debate that cam specs changed from one year to the next, but across the same model year, they were all the same motor, and honestly, any cam changes was only a difference of a few Hp and not worth enough to be getting picky...especially when you can get the original cam re-ground for about $100 to just about whatever specs you would want)


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Re: How hard would it be to install a 360 for my 318 1990 [Re: 70Cuda383] #1429222
05/02/13 06:40 PM
05/02/13 06:40 PM
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79machocharger Offline OP
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79machocharger  Offline OP
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No idea on the computer part, that's the part I was unsure about. I'm used to pre 80 dodge trucks and they are much less complicated(lol). Would there be any benefit to using a newer 318 from 2000-2003 or did they pretty much have the same power as my 1990 318?

Re: How hard would it be to install a 360 for my 318 1990 [Re: 79machocharger] #1429223
05/02/13 09:30 PM
05/02/13 09:30 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383 Offline
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if I'm not mistaken, a 1990 is kind of a hybrid year...roller cam, but LA heads, right? IF so, then yea, a 318 Magnum would give you a gain. the Magnum heads flow 200 cfm as cast, and can support up to 400 hp in stock form. I had a 318 in my 98 Dakota when I got it. had a 2bbl M1 intake, 220/230 duration cam with .507 lift on a 114 LSA, cheap headers, and a computer re-program via SCT (which only works on OBD-II computers)

my 4,000 lb truck was running 14.6 at 95-97 mph in the 1/4 mile with that motor...and I was traction limited, 2.2 - 2.3 60' times. (with 4.56 gears)

I dropped in a 5.9 with everything being exactly the same, except the cam. went from the 220/230, .507, 114 LSA to a 222/228, .544, 107 LSA cam, and went back to 3.92 gears. truck went 14.3@98-99 mph, with the same 2.2-2.3 60' times.


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Re: How hard would it be to install a 360 for my 318 1990 [Re: 79machocharger] #1429224
05/02/13 09:58 PM
05/02/13 09:58 PM
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Maine
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jerseybud Offline
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hey macho, I'm near Portland.

Not too bad a swap.
Mounting- the later blocks should still have the mounting ears for old style mount brackets and thats a breeze.
Fuel- Your 1990 stock tank has a pump capable of feeding 38 psi and maybe more. A believe a 2001+ runs at 58-60 psi or so. If stock pump is a no go, a walbro replacement will fit when the rubber lines in the stock fuel pump module are replaced with somehting sturdier.
ECM/engine mgmt- the 2001+ is a OBD II and tricky. Are you running a auto or a stick? Do you plan on keeping all the OEM 2001 electricals? Easiest way is to use the 92-93 ram electrical set up on your 90. In some ways, you're lucky because the 90 will have a VSS, and the electrical speedo plus the abs sensor in the rear end which can double as a sensor for the comp sometimes.
One thing important will be to cut a hole for the crank sensor on the bellhousing

Re: How hard would it be to install a 360 for my 318 1990 [Re: jerseybud] #1429225
05/03/13 12:09 PM
05/03/13 12:09 PM
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79machocharger Offline OP
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Thanks for the info guys. I've got three 1990 dodge rams and the one I want to do it to would be my 4 speed truck.







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