| From | Message |
duhqota
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/13/2006
13:06:43
|
 Subject: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
I'm getting a 360 off a friend out of a '77-'78 van, and want to swap out the 3.9L out of my '96 dakota. Anybody, have a good idea of problems I'm going to get into? He says he's got the trans also (727), they've both been sitting in garage for 10 yrs. My truck is presently a 5 spd. Although, I'd love to get radical I'm on a budget with a kid on the way. Even stock it should be a fun truck.
|
71firebird
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/13/2006
15:39:36
| RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
Honestly, with a kid on the way if your truck is getting you by for now you should store the 360 in a nice place and wait. Things are about to get really expensive and that little guy or gal is more important. I've currently got my "auto-life" on hold right now for my 18-month old daughter and expected in January son.
Just my advice, good luck.
|
duhqota
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/13/2006
23:46:57
| RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
Right on! If/when this project happens, more than likely It'll take a good long while. Besides the motor/trans is the right price, 0$
|
jayb
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/16/2006
22:12:12
| RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
that project is a worthless waste of time. a pre-magnum 360 is a good truck engine yes but,....low horsies and not much torque...... a MAGNUM 360 is a way better engine. if you get a 96 360 with a 96 computer, and the harness, it would be more worth the time. a 96 donor would be the best truck. plus, it would basically bolt in i think. the tranny would definatly bolt up.
IF it was me, id leave that truck alone. that 3.9L magnum is a GOOD reliable engine. It is really hard to pull that engine, and wireing, then rewire, drop new engine in, not to mention the tranny. yes it would bolt up to your exsisting tranny but, your 42re wouldnt hold up to the power if you stomped the gas. Big pain in the azz if you ask me. I think you should leave a GOOD thing alone. make a project out of something you dont have to rely on.
|
Dakota5.2
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/17/2006
18:06:34
| RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
I'm with the guys on making the swap if this is your #1 ride. If it isn't, I would go for it. if the 360 is in OK shape, you can get that 360 going for fairly cheap. Find intake and heads at the pick and pull junkyard.
The guy above is right about the magnum 360. In stock form it is way better than old style 360 in stock form, but a beefed up old 360 will serve you well with some work.
Have fun and best of luck with the future addition to the family.
Dakota5.2
|
duhqota
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/20/2006
16:35:39
| RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey you guys are all right. I've only put about 2,ooo miles on the truck in the last year. I have a work truck, and the wife has got a new Nissan, we use on the weekends. Actually it's really only a fair weather vehicle anyway. A/C quit about 3yrs ago defrost/heat suck, and 2WD drive stick with nothing in back sucks in the snow( I am a somewhat aggresive driver). I only paid $5500 5 yrs ago, it's only got 71k miles. Bad thing is, it's falling apart from sitting.
|
jayb
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/21/2006
14:24:48
| RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
and a beefed up 360 Magnum will still outperform the LA. And besides, we are talking fuel injection over carb. Fuel injection is better for many reasons.
|
duhqota
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/22/2006
04:12:15
|  RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
OK, fair suggestions from all sides. I agree with you guys (all, of you)
Yes I know, the Magnum would be an easier/better choice, and I would pefer fuel injection. (besides I'm still young enough they only touched on carbs, in tech(29))
What are the differences between the LA & MAG? Anybody know for sure? Is it in the heads, cam, I can't see the whole engine being totally different.
|
Kowalski
GenIII
10/22/2006
08:37:43
| RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
It's mostly in the heads - magnums have a much better design. Some have put magnum heads on an LA motor, but they are oiled differently, and that would have to be addressed. I think you need to use different lifters (AMC style ?) to make it work.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
jayb
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/22/2006
20:21:25
| RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
not to mention the bolt holes for the heads, are in a different spot on the block.
|
Kowalski
GenIII
10/23/2006
07:35:18
| don't think so
IP: Logged
Message:
Are you sure ? I believe it's the valve cover and intake manifold bolt holes that are different - not the bolt holes for the head to block attachment.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
jayb
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/23/2006
11:25:02
| RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
thats what i heard.
|
Kowalski
GenIII
10/23/2006
15:17:40
| RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
Definitely not what I've heard...
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/25/2006
21:51:48
| RE: '96- 360 swap
IP: Logged
Message:
And now from the...What I've read for myself department.....The bolt holes on the block are in the same place on LA and Magnum blocks. The head bolts do not fully interchange due to the different lengths on LA's, but the threads are the same. The bolt holes for the valve covers also are a carry-over of sorts. The 5 holes of the LA design are carried over on the Magnum, along with 5 more holes added in the Magnum update. The intake manifold bolt holes are in the same place on LA and Magnum blocks. They do, however, bolt in at very different angles.
Either heads, Magnum or LA, will easily produce a 400hp 360. In fact, the stock LA heads with 2.02 inch intake valves are within 5hp of the stock Magnums at 6,000rpm. This comes straight from Mopar, so spare me the flack. It is, obviously, easier to reach that power level with an off-the-shelf Magnum head. They are able to hit 400hp with an intake valve under 2 inches thanks to improved flow characteristics. I would hope so. It only took them 25 years to intro an improvement over the original 340 head. It should also be noted that most of the revisions in the LA head that became the Magnum head were a result of the mods that have been performed to LA heads since it was introduced.
The biggest issue in the swap will be installing a crossmember to mount the non-Magnum 360 block in the truck. The LA blocks mount differently (no Magnum mouting points).
On the computer, use stick-shift computer for 360 if you're keeping it fuel injected. You will need an aftermarket crank sensor to run the injection. LA blocks do not have the mounting points for the OEM crank sensor. The stick shift computer will also let you use the 727 tranny without issues. You'd save a lot of trouble starting with a real (1992 or newer, preferably 1996 or newer) Magnum engine. If you want to transplant just the heads and intake, go '96 or newer. You'll need different pushrods intended for that mod. Then there's the serpentine drive belt. On Magnums, the water pump and fan turn opposite the engine, unlike the LA engine.
This engine swap is a pain unless you're very familiar with the details.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
