318 magnum question

Posted By: partfiler69

318 magnum question - 07/25/10 12:06 PM

I'm lookin to by a 1996 4 wheel drive pickup with a bad oil pump (I believe engine is fried). I have a 318 out of a 87 or 88 truck. Can I make this work, or do I need to find a Magnum engine? Thanks for any advice.

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: 318 magnum question - 07/25/10 12:18 PM

you could make it work,with effort

IMO a mag engine is much better for a swap,it will have all the plug ins and be a bolt and play weekend swap

the pcm will have the correct engine to control,torque converter/flywheel will match up/ all the serp/belt accesories will be stock and bolt up correct...

the pre-mag heads are a little diff on bolt holes for accesoies IIRC

just ez-er IMHO

good luck

Posted By: partfiler69

Re: 318 magnum question - 07/25/10 01:19 PM

So it's not as easy as swapping the top end? Well if thats the case and I have to go shopping for a magnum, what has to be changed besides a TC to put a 5.9 in its place?

Posted By: patrick

Re: 318 magnum question - 07/25/10 02:44 PM

mags have a second set of engine mounts that the trucks use...la's dont

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: 318 magnum question - 07/25/10 03:37 PM

good point on the mounts

if going from 5.2 to 5.9 you need the pcm for a 5.9 IIRC

Posted By: Devilbrad

Re: 318 magnum question - 07/25/10 03:43 PM

Quote:

good point on the mounts

if going from 5.2 to 5.9 you need the pcm for a 5.9 IIRC

Thats not entirely necessary. My 96 Dakota has a 5.9 in it with a 5.2 PCM running it.

Posted By: Supercuda

Re: 318 magnum question - 07/25/10 03:46 PM

Never been an LA with multiport injection. So, that means you'd need to swap the heads/intake/etc from the Magnum to the LA shortblock. Not to mention the motor mount issue. Be better off finding a Magnum in good used shape.

Posted By: partfiler69

Re: 318 magnum question - 07/25/10 04:26 PM

Quote:

Never been an LA with multiport injection. So, that means you'd need to swap the heads/intake/etc from the Magnum to the LA shortblock.

That is what I was wondering. But I didn't know that the mount bosses were different. So I think I will just go with a salvage yard Magnum. Will a 5.9 pcm plug in to the 5.2 harness?

Posted By: HotRodDave

Re: 318 magnum question - 07/25/10 05:35 PM

No where to bolt a crank sensor on the older motor either.

A 5.9 will bolt right in there if you get the flex plate and damper with the 5.9. It will run fine with the 5.2 computer. I did it on a 2000 and it was fine, I eventually went with a mopar performance 5.9 computer and it really woke it up.

Posted By: Devilbrad

Re: 318 magnum question - 07/25/10 05:40 PM

Quote:

No where to bolt a crank sensor on the older motor either.

A 5.9 will bolt right in there if you get the flex plate and damper with the 5.9. It will run fine with the 5.2 computer. I did it on a 2000 and it was fine, I eventually went with a mopar performance 5.9 computer and it really woke it up.

good point about the crank sensor! "Why won't this damn thing start??" LOL Also, if a 360 or Mopar PCM isn't readily available, you can have the 5.2 PCM reflashed through B&G Chrysler: http://www.bgperformancepcm.com/