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Bone_Head311
Dodge Dakota
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6/09/2005
23:54:13
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 Subject: 1987 dodge dakota
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I just got a 1987 dodge dakota 5-speed 3.9 v6.
I was thinking of droping in a 318 since those engines are pretty abundunt. Also its a long bed is there anywhere i can buy a short bed for a resonable price. Any suggestions, links, info, is greatly appreciated. And sorry if this is a thread that is redundant but its easier to find the info i need by the forums.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2005
08:25:54
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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The V6 has the same engine mount system that was adapted to the V8 Magnums in 1992, so your engine mount issues will be much easier if you use a Magnum V8 block. Otherwise, you'll need the engine mount crossmember from engine-swaps.com.
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Bone_Head311
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2005
15:58:12
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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i wanna run it without computers. Is there any wierd things need to be modified or altered.
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Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2005
16:37:58
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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"i wanna run it without computers. Is there any wierd things need to be modified or altered"
You can't unless you want to buy a older TBI 318 engine.. You could just pull one out of an older Ramcharger or even a Dodge diplomat. But beware there these engines was only rated at about 140 HP.. The modle engine year engine that Gendak1 was talking about have much higher rateings (220-230Hp) there called Magnum motors.
Also what type of transmission are you using? You may need to swap it out for a 44RH or a 42RE transmission. Even a 46RH would do.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2005
23:15:11
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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What? You can run any engine in that '87. You don't need a computer if you intend on running a carburetor. This is the simplest thing to do. Running with a Magnum block only makes the engine mount issue easier to deal with, but you will need to get a Mopar Perf. intake for carb for the Magnum engine, or get the Edelbrock AirGap for Magnum. My reference to "Magnum" had nothing to do with the use of the MPI. So Bone, you planning on a carb setup? If so, basically, you'll need an electric fan in front of the radiator, since the '87 doesn't have room for an engine-driven fan with a V8. You will need a Mopar Performance electronic ignition kit and any compatable ignition coil. It has instructions on what wires to splice (just a couple). You will need a fuel pressure regulator (single inlet/dual outlet) unless you plan on running an engine-driven fuel pump.
No transmission with the "RE" designation will work. They require the OBDII computer for proper operation. Stick with a well-built 904 or 998, or use the 727. (Your stock 5-speed will not last long). You could also add an OD automatic (A500/A518 or the same by their later designations 42RH/46RH--just avoid the 1996 and newer "RE" units). Personally, I'd get some 2.76 gears, use the 3-speed auto, and be happy. You should have the 8.25 rear. You should seriously consider adding a limited slip unit (posi) for added traction.
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Bone_Head311
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2005
23:23:56
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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thanks for all the info. i will run the stock tranny until it craps out because i have another car.
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Bone_Head311
Dodge Dakota
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6/13/2005
22:31:07
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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A couple more questions
I need a new radiator. Should i get a V6 radiator, or is there one that will be better suited for the 318?
This is a low budget swap. I just want to add a intake manifold and a carb. Any specific (links preferred) suggestion on what to get?
Note: not looking for performance so much just a running mild V8! This is gonna be on a magnum engine btw.
where and how much can i get a short bed ( just the bed) for.
Thanks ahead of time
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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6/13/2005
23:11:10
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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The V6 radiator is what was used in all the V8-powered Shelby Dakotas, worked fine.
Dual plane Magnum
http://store.yahoo.com/chucker54/duelplanmag5.html
600 cfm carb
http://store.yahoo.com/chucker54/edelbrock.html
Don't know about the bed.
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2005
06:31:56
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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why dont you just buy a magnum dakota. way easier. i could understand the swap if you were gonna build it up. going through all that work, just to run a "mild v8" is a waste. if i were gonna have a v8 truck to use as a DD and run it with pretty much stock horsies, id just buy a v8 truck. plus the gen 2 dak's are not a eye sore like the gen 1's are. those front ends are ugly as hell on gen 1.
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stevie-d
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2005
19:03:25
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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a short bed will not mount onto a frame designed for a long bed. think about it.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2005
21:23:04
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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jayb.
If we ever meet at a stoplight, I'll be sure to spare you the trauma of seeing my front end by only giving you a brief viewing of my tail lights.
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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6/14/2005
23:33:19
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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wow gen1dak, you must feel really big about your self, because beating a stock gen2 318 4x4 is sooooo hard...fukken retard.
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Bone_Head311
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2005
11:47:08
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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ok the short bed idea is out. I thought they were the same wheelbase. But i wanna put a mild V8 in because this truck was free!!!!! Also, if i ever want to mak it more then mild i have a platform to build off of.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2005
15:58:58
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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Well I tell ya, jbtch, you sure seem to like yourself. You just talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. You must love the sound of your own little voice. But, oh my, I musta hit a nerve or something. You pipe up and denigrate (ask someone to look that word up for you)....now where was I, oh, you denigrate what others have, then get your feelings hurt. Awwwww. Just look at it this way. My Gen1 may be ugly in your eyes, but yours is the retard, so to speak, meaning you don't really have a place to be very critical. However, I'd say we're even. Mine's ugly (in your singularly unimportant opinion), yours is slow, but for some reason you can't handle the fact that your newer, more technologically advanced Gen2 IS A PIG!!!! I would've just said all this the first time, but I gave you too much credit. I thought that since you were so bold as to openly criticize something, you were big enough to take a little in return, and you would be able to intuit my meaning. Obviously not. So tell me genius, do you get it now? If you're gonna have such a thin skin, stay in the wading pool. You're not helping here.
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Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2005
17:51:04
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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Sure you can run it if you convert it over to a Carberator but Why??? I say keep the MPI system unless you want to make more stops to the fuel pump.. Also you forgot about the sensors in the MAgnum engine.. Unless you want to bypass the whole deal and look for a older 70's 318.. that might work.
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Bone_Head311
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2005
20:42:40
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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^^^ that was one of my first questions, no one said anything about the sensors so i assumed it wasnt a problem. AN earlier 318 is a viable choice also.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2005
21:13:00
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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The sensors are not an issue.
And I hate to break it to you, but MPI doesn't do nearly as well in the mileage dept as it should. The engines are kept as close to the stoichiometric ideal air/fuel ratio of 14.7:1. This is great for emissions, but engines seldom are at peak efficiency at 14.7:1. Typically, an engine makes better power in the low 13's:1, give or take. If an engine cannot run where it makes best power, it actually uses more fuel to get the same job done. Yes, typically side-by-side, an injected engine will manage better mileage than a carb'd unit. However, only with custom PCM programming and wide-band O2 sensors can an MPI engine take advantage of a variable fuel ratio. Also, let's not forget that when O2 sensors, MAP sensors, etc...when they go bad, fuel mileage absolutely tanks. Carbs can be tuned inexpensively, with nothing more than a good "how-to" book and some time looking at spark plug tips. Also, when an MPI engine quits, it quits. At least with a carb you can tap on it and it'll still get you home. Look, MPI is great, no denying it. In fact, the only time I dislike it is when it acts up. Still, given a choice, I'll take a carb, especially a spread-bore carb. Cruise all day on those tiny primaries=great mileage, cram your foot into those huge secondaries and hear a roar no MPI can imitate, and feel like the afterburners kicked in. These days, it's a bargain and as big a blast as ever. I've cited the example before. My '69 Charger and '89 Dakota. Both were 318-powered. The Dakota had all the advantages (Fuel Inj., electronic ignition, 3.90 gears, 4-spd auto.) The Charger weighed more, and aerodynamics weren't that much better. The modded Charger 318 (CC 260H cam, duals/headers/750 AFB carb, single point-type ignition, 3-spd auto, 2.76 gears) would flat-out walk off and leave the Dak. No contest. It was embarrassing. The kicker was the fuel mileage. With the same driving style, the Charger averaged 19 mpg. The Dak never did better than 15. Well, I did hit 16 mpg driving in a very sedate manner just to see if it'd do any better. Now, I'm sure the Dak had a cleaner exhaust, but cats don't cost 3+ mpg, and no way did they cost that much performance. This is progress?
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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6/15/2005
21:20:33
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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If you're running a carb'd Magnum, it's no different than running an LA 318. You can plug in the old-style temp sensors and oil pressure sending unit, etc, and run a standard set of gauges, or even get electronic gauges that will talk to the newer style sensors. None of that is essential to the running of the engine itself, meaning stuff like the crank sensor are not needed. A carb'd unit needs a hot spark and fuel. You don't need sensors for that.
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jayb
Dodge Dakota
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6/16/2005
23:26:38
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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gen1, i never said my "pig" was fast. its stock. i SAID a gen1 is ugly. and i said, doing all that work to just have a mild v8 is a waste. i know how hard it is to comprehend that, but im sure you will get it some day.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2005
16:18:30
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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Funny how the ones with no experience in making mods are so quick to give advice to others. The Dakota you speak of, jayb, is stock, by your own admission. Hmmm, happy with mediocrity? Don't know how? Can't afford it? Or is it really daddy's Dakota? In case you hadn't noticed, "yours" is mild too, and you didn't even have a hand in building it.
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Bone_Head311
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2005
20:02:15
| RE: 1987 dodge dakota
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oh the sweet smell of ownage! J/P. To get back on topic. Anyone else have input that is "helpful." All the info has been great and i belive my research is about complete, unless im missing some little tid bits of info.
As always Thank you.
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