Power upgrades on 1990 W150 318???
#1753449
02/12/15 10:49 PM
02/12/15 10:49 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,895
Missouri
AftermarketGoody
OP
Musclecar Addict
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OP
Musclecar Addict
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,895
Missouri
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Hey all. I need some advice on what can be done to add some power to my 1990 w150 318/auto. I inherited this truck from my Grandpa several years ago and it has always been starved for power but I lived with it. I recently decided to lift the truck, add bigger tires and start to fix it up. So now something has to be done with the severe lack of power. I have been told that the electonics on this truck work in a loop instead of individualy and if you do anything such as add a cam or such it can throw the entire system out of wack. Is this true? Any advice I can get is welcome.
1990 Dodge W150 318/auto
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Re: Power upgrades on 1990 W150 318???
[Re: AftermarketGoody]
#1753450
02/12/15 11:12 PM
02/12/15 11:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,003
Salem
Grizzly
Moparts Proctologist
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Moparts Proctologist
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,003
Salem
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I can't comment on the TBI compatibility, but I did have a '90 short-box 2wd and thing was an absolute dog. Can only imagine how much worse it would have been as a 4wd. So, honestly, I think you are fighting an uphill battle if you leave the 318 in there. The 360 in '91 was TBI and I drove one: it was pretty strong and wished that's what I would have bought. I think you should go the 360 route: it will be cheaper and less frustating in the long run than fooling around with that 318. Also had a similar truck to yours: an '86 318 2bbl with a bit bigger tires and lift: it needed a 360 too. 
Last edited by Grizzly; 02/12/15 11:17 PM.
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
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Re: Power upgrades on 1990 W150 318???
[Re: Grizzly]
#1753451
02/12/15 11:37 PM
02/12/15 11:37 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,895
Missouri
AftermarketGoody
OP
Musclecar Addict
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OP
Musclecar Addict
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,895
Missouri
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Your truck looks great! You may be right. Any idea what changes need to be made to the computer system to make it work with a 360? or am I better off putting a carb on it and moving on? Here is mine before I start in on it. 
1990 Dodge W150 318/auto
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Re: Power upgrades on 1990 W150 318???
[Re: AftermarketGoody]
#1753454
02/13/15 12:59 AM
02/13/15 12:59 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,003
Salem
Grizzly
Moparts Proctologist
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Moparts Proctologist
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,003
Salem
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Quote:
Your truck looks great!
Thanks!
Your Grampa's truck looks mint, I wouldn't change a thing on it.
I almost think that 360 could go right under the 318's TBI and run. If memory serves me correct the 360 TBI's had a slightly larger throttle-body but I don't think it would be a "must-have" to make it work.
Look at it this way, if it works, great. If it don't, go with a 4bbl.
Sheldon's Magnum idea was a suggestion I was thinking too, there's alot of upsides to it: way more reliable, little better fuel milage, lotsa torque, and can come with a 4 speed overdrive. It would be a touch costly and a bit tedious to keep it stock injected though.
But hey, start looking at that route and you might wind up with a 5.7/6.4 Hemi.............or a V10.........or even a 4BT Cummins 
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
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Re: Power upgrades on 1990 W150 318???
[Re: AftermarketGoody]
#1753456
02/13/15 03:08 PM
02/13/15 03:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,310
Walnut Creek, CA
blown340
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,310
Walnut Creek, CA
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I have a little bit of different advice from the rest, but I think the first thing you should do is gears. That truck was probably highway geared from the factory, potentially even 3.23's. Assuming you have a overdrive transmission in 1990 I'd swap the gears to a 4.56 front and rear and you will see a very dramatic difference in performance. Deep gears, opening the intake and exhaust up a little and it will probably surprise you.
If you want to do it on the cheap, its easy to find 4.10 geared D44 fronts and D60 rears from W200 trucks in the junkyards.
-Jon
70 challenger convertible. 340/5 speed. blown, intercooled, efi, blah blah blah
71 valiant scamp 318/A833OD/AC/PS
00 dakota RC 4.7L 5 spd autoX'r. SRT10/T56 swap in process
73 W200 Power wagon, PTO winch, 4 spd
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Sorry for the high jack. Nice locker in the pic. What kind? I have a Richmond Powertrax I'm going to be installing in my 9.25 soon, looks very similar.
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