A friend has a lead on a '93 motor for his '95 Dakota. Other than maybe some external stuff, is there anything better, worse or different about the '93 motor?

Everything should be the same. Did EGR perhaps come/go in that year?

ODBII took out the EGR in 1996, I think, not certain.

Robert

Rumor was that the camshaft and torque convertor changed from the 92-93 models. Published values for the 92-93 cam is pathetic, but supposedly, according to a 1994 mopar action article, the 92-93 engines were hotter. Certainly the 92-93 exhaust manifolds are desirable.

The early manifolds are bigger (better?) The early motor has return style fuel rails.

A lot of sources say they early 5.2 and 5.9 used the same cam specs as the earlier LA TBI engines but with the higher rocker ratio it just ain't true.

Got it. Thanks to all for the info!

I love learning these little tidbits of knowledge...

But, they never come with any specifics. Dave has said there were several camshafts from those engines with very slightly differing specs.
This is nice to know, but it doesn't help me towards a camshaft selection.

And, if we're really talking about moving the torque peak 200rpm up or down, or same with peak horsepower, will it be enough to notice in a 4500 lb daily driver?

R.

These values from the official Field Service Manuals for Rams indicate that camshaft lifts did change from 1992 to 1993:

http://dodgeram.org/tech/gas/specs/cam.html

But the FSM are not completely free of errors.
I know the 1995 Ram FSM has the wrong drawing, weights and specs for the Magnum 5.9 piston.

5.2 "Advertised" 1994 cam specs

http://dodgeram.org/tech/gas/specs/valve-5_2.htm

5.9 "Advertised" 1994-1997 and 1998-2001 cam specs

http://dodgeram.org/tech/gas/specs/valve-5_9.htm

In the above link for the 5.9 cams i wonder if the year columns should be reversed?
The 1998 and above cam was supposed to be more duration and +15 HP at higher rpm.