General 5.2 review for 97&up - Dodge Dakota Forum

Subject: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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i am about to swap my 3.9 v6 for the 318 5.2 engine. but before i go through with it and blow 2 grand i was wondering how well the 5.2 is? for instance the reason i am doing it is becuz the 6 in my 4x4 cc dak just won't go fast enough. i hate driving on the highway i can't even hardly do 70 mph...it is just underpowered. is the 5.2 underpowered as well? any input would really help...thanks!

vern
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2005
13:21:25

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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if you can hardly do 70mph,then you really have a problem,70 should be NO problem if your truck is/was right,sounds like other issues going on

the 318 will move you,if you don,t have other problems,there a very solid motor

i just towed a car 250 miles with a 89 premag 3.9,4x4,auto,and 173,000 on it

75-80mph on flat,60-65 on the bad hills

not bragging just giving you a idear

but what
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2005
13:56:14

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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buddy i believe you...but what the hell could be wrong with my truck that makes it so slow? any ideas? i mean it has been pampered by me and has always been mechanically sound! there isn't any noises or anything, i have the oil changed every 3k religously! i am just so sick of my truck not going! but atleast you said the 318 works : )

jimmerz
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2005
20:19:12

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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hey i had a 94 dak w/ the 3.9 v6 in it with a 5 speed, wasn't 4x4, and i had no problem burying that needle on the back roads at home, ran it at 70-75 all the time. i now have a 5.2 and it gets and goes, the speedo goes to the right and the gas gauge goes to the left but oh well i wouldn't have got the 97 w/ the 318 if i didn't want it. well good luck

Mopar318
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2005
21:19:02

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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I have the 5.2 auto in my 96. It is a very solid motor and pretty powerfull...230HP 295TQ depending on the year. My truck has 120,000 on it and the motor runs just like new. My truck can keep up with some V-8 mustangs and easily blow by any of those S-10's or rangers that kids are so up about. The Gen II's have almost the same power to weight ratio as a mustang. The Gens III's are a little heavier but it would not hurt that much.

Dodge Guy
Dodge Dakota
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3/25/2005
22:15:57

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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I have both a 92 5.2 Extended cab very fast and a 89 3.9 conv.4x4 and it will go way over 70 all day long with pretty low rpms must be somthing wrong with yours

Sheldon
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2005
15:03:17

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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Hi guys

I have a 2002 qc 4x4 dakota with a v6 3.9 .
My plan this year is to find a 5.2 v8.
Does the 5.2 motor that i find, have to be the same year as my truck (2002).
will the 5.2 bolt to my stock tranny.
will i need a v8 computer.

N56629
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2005
15:38:07

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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You can find a 5.9 almost as cheap as 5.2 and it doesn't cost a penny more to install. Why would any one go half way with all that work involved?

Sheldon
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2005
19:44:39

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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Will the 5.9 fit in my 2002 dakota qc 4x4 3.9.
Will it bolt to my stock tranny
How much hp does a 5.9 have

N56629
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2005
19:51:54

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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Yes, yes and look it up.

justin
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2005
22:01:24

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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N56629~ you're right i should go with the 5.9 i was told it wouldn't bolt right in but the 5.2 would...guess that guy was wrong...thanks man.

N56629
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2005
22:29:13

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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Either v8 will bolt up, but will the rest of your drivetain hold up? Install which ever v8 you want, drive carefully and take your time doing some bargin hunting for a tranny and rearend.

If you stick with a tranny and rearend from a typical 5.2, you can pick them up for around $500-$800. The same from a 5.9 will set you back at least a grand and more like $1500. Those are junk yard prices and some lucky shopping might cut those prices by almost half.

FlameRedDak
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2005
13:03:34

RE: General 5.2 review for 97&up
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the 9.25 found in R/Ts were also in 99 318s and 2000-up 4.7s with a limited slip rear. just look for an 8.25 with LSD. those are really common and they are plenty strong. 46RE might be a pricey item however.

sicminds
GenIII