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318 into 2003 Dakota #3121729
02/15/23 01:20 PM
02/15/23 01:20 PM
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Nevada
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merpar Offline OP
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merpar  Offline OP
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I am building a 318/390 stroker to put in my 03' Dakota going with carb. and 46RE transmission. Not sure what I need to do to transmission shifting. Any help would be appreciated . Dakota has a 3.9 now so engine is basically a bolt in. Just need to know if I'm missing something before I start pulling motor
Thank ya'll for any info you can share.. Merpar (Jerry)

Re: 318 into 2003 Dakota [Re: merpar] #3121744
02/15/23 02:14 PM
02/15/23 02:14 PM
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Kalispell Mt.
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HotRodDave Offline
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Originally Posted by merpar
I am building a 318/390 stroker to put in my 03' Dakota going with carb. and 46RE transmission. Not sure what I need to do to transmission shifting. Any help would be appreciated . Dakota has a 3.9 now so engine is basically a bolt in. Just need to know if I'm missing something before I start pulling motor
Thank ya'll for any info you can share.. Merpar (Jerry)



Is the truck an automatic now or 5 speed? Either way I would just bolt in the engine with the existing trans and skip the 46RE


I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!



Re: 318 into 2003 Dakota [Re: HotRodDave] #3121755
02/15/23 02:36 PM
02/15/23 02:36 PM
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ILLINOIS
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volaredon Offline
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They did put 360s in some that year, last year for it actually.
Having a 3.9 (also last year for that) makes it easy too as far as bolting everything together. Better than a 4.7 any day. If you're going carbed I'd look for a 500/518 "RH" series to go in behind that 318, or better yet add the 3rd pedal and the shifter ..

Re: 318 into 2003 Dakota [Re: volaredon] #3121990
02/16/23 11:37 AM
02/16/23 11:37 AM
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Michigan
MarkZ Offline
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Are you building a 318 Magnum or a 318 LA? The LA blocks don't have the Magnum mounting provisions.

There are solutions to handle the electronics for the transmission, but you're not going to like the price. Here is one option: http://www.e-transcontrol.com/dodge-transmission/

Holley also has an option, but it's built into their fuel injection controller.

I agree with the previous posts you're probably better off going with an RH instead of an RE, especially if you're going carb.


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Re: 318 into 2003 Dakota [Re: MarkZ] #3121999
02/16/23 12:12 PM
02/16/23 12:12 PM
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merpar Offline OP
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Actually, its a 390 with aluminum heads SpeedMaster. I may just pick up a 46RH. I think I would be happier with that. This is my 3rd Dakota and only problem I've had with them is the electrical. Looked for a couple years for my 03 it has manual door locks and crank up windows is an SXT. The block is a Magnum, heads are LA type. Bought a Hughes cam about 570 lift and 236 duration. Should make about 500 hp. So would rather do the 46RH now than replace the 42RE later. Thanks to everyone for replies.

Re: 318 into 2003 Dakota [Re: merpar] #3122039
02/16/23 01:48 PM
02/16/23 01:48 PM
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HotRodDave Offline
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Originally Posted by merpar
Actually, its a 390 with aluminum heads SpeedMaster. I may just pick up a 46RH. I think I would be happier with that. This is my 3rd Dakota and only problem I've had with them is the electrical. Looked for a couple years for my 03 it has manual door locks and crank up windows is an SXT. The block is a Magnum, heads are LA type. Bought a Hughes cam about 570 lift and 236 duration. Should make about 500 hp. So would rather do the 46RH now than replace the 42RE later. Thanks to everyone for replies.



I missed the carb part, either go A-500, they can very easily handle the power especially with minor upgrades and the low 1st and 2nd gears help get the heavy rig moving and the smaller converter and less friction... that or go with a 5 speed. I put an A-500 in my 1 ton van with a 5.9 and it has lasted a lot longer than the original big transmission and is very noticeably faster and better MPG.

Does your magnum block have an oil hole to oil the LA rockers?


I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!



Re: 318 into 2003 Dakota [Re: HotRodDave] #3122118
02/16/23 04:55 PM
02/16/23 04:55 PM
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GA
roadrunninMark Offline
master
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GA
For the 46RE shifting computer, you can use this... http://www.e-transcontrol.com/dodge-transmission/

Re: 318 into 2003 Dakota [Re: HotRodDave] #3122136
02/16/23 06:41 PM
02/16/23 06:41 PM
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Nevada
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merpar Offline OP
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I plan on push rod oiling for rockers. One other thing I just thought about. What about my lock-up converter? Any one know?

Re: 318 into 2003 Dakota [Re: merpar] #3122182
02/16/23 09:35 PM
02/16/23 09:35 PM
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oklahoma
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forphorty Offline
pro stock
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oklahoma
Originally Posted by merpar
I plan on push rod oiling for rockers. One other thing I just thought about. What about my lock-up converter? Any one know?
I don't think that 236 at .050 cam will like a stock converter very well.

Re: 318 into 2003 Dakota [Re: HotRodDave] #3124270
02/24/23 03:57 PM
02/24/23 03:57 PM
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Atlanta, GA
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mgoblue9798 Offline
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Atlanta, GA
Originally Posted by HotRodDave
Originally Posted by merpar
Actually, its a 390 with aluminum heads SpeedMaster. I may just pick up a 46RH. I think I would be happier with that. This is my 3rd Dakota and only problem I've had with them is the electrical. Looked for a couple years for my 03 it has manual door locks and crank up windows is an SXT. The block is a Magnum, heads are LA type. Bought a Hughes cam about 570 lift and 236 duration. Should make about 500 hp. So would rather do the 46RH now than replace the 42RE later. Thanks to everyone for replies.



I missed the carb part, either go A-500, they can very easily handle the power especially with minor upgrades and the low 1st and 2nd gears help get the heavy rig moving and the smaller converter and less friction... that or go with a 5 speed. I put an A-500 in my 1 ton van with a 5.9 and it has lasted a lot longer than the original big transmission and is very noticeably faster and better MPG.

Does your magnum block have an oil hole to oil the LA rockers?



HRD do you tow at all with the A-500 in your van? What kind of fuel mileage improvement did you get from the swap?







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