| From | Message |
shelby89dako
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/16/2009
10:51:13
|
 Subject: 318 shelby mods
IP: Logged
Message:
i recently purchased a shelby dakota on ebay and have been doin a bit of research but can't really find any info on how to modify the 318 V8. is there an easy way to run true dual exhaust pipes? besides a k/n air filter are there any quick and easy horsepower gains? i'm also looking for some suspension upgrades possibly to lower it in the future any suggestions? all help is appreciated!
|
Tnjones
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/27/2009
00:01:40
| RE: 318 shelby mods
IP: Logged
Message:
Look, the 318 is a cast iron classic. In the Shelby Dak it came new with all of the basic mods. Further improvements require an engine re-build. If your not that serious then please don't keep asking. If you want to pull the motor and tear it down there are a huge number of mods you can do depending on your buget and what you want out of the engine. Are you trying to drag race? going for max top end (highest possible speed)? Also, if you aren't going to do the work yourself, take it a shop or buy a crate motor and discuss with whatever vendor you choose.
.
.
tire kickers!
|
ecdak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/27/2009
08:05:38
| RE: 318 shelby mods
IP: Logged
Message:
Wh would you do anything to a Shelby?
|
gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/01/2009
09:28:05
| RE: 318 shelby mods
IP: Logged
Message:
You don't have to rebuild the engine (if it's otherwise sound) to do a cam swap. It's also a convenient time to replace the timing gear and water pump. Adding the 360-sized TBI and computer from that era (which will require an easy external fan controller) and a good cat-back exhaust will make fantastic improvements. See CompCams for an appropriate roller-cam replacement. They even have a stock replacement that requires no computer mods, but still offers a huge increase in lift (better springs are a must-have) to wake up the "dead above 4,000 rpm 318". Also, if you want that transmission to last, get an aftermarket shift kit in it (Fairbanks, Superior, TransGo..., even B&M has gotten into the game on these overdrive models). The Shelby programming is already pretty good, but the kit vastly improves the overall function and lube. If you do not want to go into the engine, you can get a set of 1.6:1 rockers (not the Magnum types) that will at least give you the lift numbers of the stock 318 Magnums (up from .390ish to near .430ish). The stock cam is tiny, so even these help matters. This will work fine with the stock computer. While not as good as a cam swap, it ain't bad either. It's a quick deal without going into the heart of the engine. I'd still upgrade the valve springs.
|
jacksdodges
GenI
3/05/2009
10:41:24
| RE: 318 shelby mods
IP: Logged
Message:
You ask why do anything to a Shelby. The only reason I can think of is to make it faster. I know ive got #102 and it bad fast.
jack mcknight
|
ecdak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/14/2009
21:04:33
| RE: 318 shelby mods
IP: Logged
Message:
But shelbys are built with all of the good stuff.
|
gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/15/2009
15:28:07
| RE: 318 shelby mods
IP: Logged
Message:
The Shelby is a V6 Sport Dakota with a stock ('89 Dodge fullsize) D150 318. Is it tough engine? Yes. Is it hot? Not hardly, but it can be. Is it the good stuff? It's nothing special. Back to the V6 Sport package, that includes the transmission. Run it hard and it'll eat overdrives every 15,000 miles, unless you add a TransGo or other aftermarket kit. I have owned mine since new and while I like my Dak, the Shelby package is nothing more than Shelby decals and wheels, an electric fan, 3.90 gears, and some tweaks to the tranny to make it shift firmer. Couple the good torque down low with a converter that stalls around 2,000rpm and the firm tranny and it'll go like hell to 30mph. Above that it falls off badly. While exciting then, it serves as an example of just how miserable things were for the most part in the performance arena, especially for Mopar. There were a handful of really hot cars out there leading the way, but some idiot at Chrysler predicted the end of V8's in the early 80's so while they were spending their time on I4 turbos, their V8 work was idle. This was devastating. The hottest, and only V8 performance Mopar out there until the Hemi 300, has been their trucks. That's 1989 (final year for the Diplomat and Grand Fury) - 2005 without a single V8 car! So, was the Shelby Dak important for determining the market interest for a V8 Dakota? Absolutely. 0-60 in 8.7 seconds. Was it a pig? In performance car standards. Yeah. Great potential, however.
|
jacksdodges
GenI
3/16/2009
15:20:54
| RE: 318 shelby mods
IP: Logged
Message:
Yea hes right all it is is decals, neat interior, a v8, little cab spoiler, and blacked out grill, and custom rims. It came out the same year as the big GM flop the 454 chevy truck and it was faster than the chevy. but about everthing else was faster than that pig. I bought my shelby new and love it.They can be made to be fast.I ran 11.5 in 1000 ft in street class.8.80 in the 1/8 mile.street tires headers closed.
jack mcknight
|
Tom Byrne
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/28/2009
15:10:48
| RE: 318 shelby mods
IP: Logged
Message:
My Shelby #233 has headers, an Edelbrock Performer manifold with the stock TBI mounted via a Jon Steiger adapter. It runs pretty well. I ran 16 flat at Island Dragway in NJ last year. I could not go faster because of poor traction off the line. The rear end is so light I lterally have to walk it off the line. Any aggressive use of the throttle will break the rear loose. Cams can wake up the engine as will a 360 TBI, if you can find one. I have been looking for three years with no luck.
Do not swap to a create engine if you value collectibilty. The engine block is numbered and shoulkd match the tag on the driver's side front support. I have rebuilt my tranny and have installed a 2400 stall converter. I was short of cash at the time (four years ago) so I reused the overdrive. It still works. I spent money (maybe too much) on making the core tranny stronger (clutches, bands, shift kit, converter) that I ran out of money with the o/d.
I would love to find a 360 TBI. I really want to rebuild the engine, but with between 170 and 175 lbs of compression in all eight cylinders and no oil burning (118,000 miles), I cannot justify the expense.
Jet makes a module for the TBI 318. They said they will make me a custom unit for whatever mods I perrform for only a few extra dollar. The problem is that my 318 won't die.
|
Andy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/10/2015
08:12:46
| RE: 318 shelby mods
IP: Logged
Message:
Contact Rob at www.boostbutton.com for an upgraded Shelby
V8 SMEC computer.
He has a copy of the stage II calibration for the Shelby Dakota
and can modify your stock computer for it.
Shelby sold a stage II kit in 1989 (Not available from Dodge, only
Shelby)
The kit included a low restriction muffler, 360 TBI unit and a
modified SMEC computer with a custom calibration.
I have this on my Shelby Dakota (1115) and it made a big
difference. Even at 173000 miles.
|
guy lemmond
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/03/2015
13:00:31
| RE: 318 shelby mods
IP: Logged
Message:
my 1989 Shelby Dakota is dead in my garage with gimped transmission. I'd hop it up a bit but the trans is the weak link.
what was the part number of that better trans?
the "lean burn mess helps nothing. I'd like a later aftermarket tbi from fast.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
