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HomerDak
Dodge Dakota
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4/22/2003
20:55:16

Subject: 90's V8 power
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Sorry for the long (repeat) post.
I was researching the Dakota's from about 93-96 and had a question about the V8's.
Was 95 the only year that they came with the 235hp 5.2?
'Cause it seemed that the next year it had dropped down to like 220 or something.
I am looking to get something with a little more giddyup in the future (more thatn my '90 3.9 that is)

I thought that the '95 sounded pretty good since its got power and there are some around for reasonable prices.
Any opinions would be much appreciated.
Thanks




01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2003
09:12:56

RE: 90's V8 power
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I once owned a '92 5.2 RC that was purchased new. The '92 and '93 5.2's were 230hp/280tq. The '94's had smaller exhaust manifolds, and were 220hp/295tq. I believe the '95-'96 were the same. I looked up a '97 Dak brochure, the 5.2 had 230hp/300tq. The '92-'93's would absolutely scream. The biggest problem you will have is firewall clearance. The main reason the GenII front end came about was to accomodate V-8s in the Dak. However, the GenI Shelby Dakotas were modified to take 318/5.2's. You will probably have to do your own mods. The best and cheapest route might be to find a cherry GenII for $2000 or less and have at it.



Gen II Geoff
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2003
15:26:57

RE: 90's V8 power
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I've got a 95 dak sport that I dropped a mild 318 into. After I built the engine it only took about a week to swap the 3.9 for the 5.2 That included waiting 3 days for a new flexplate. It will take almost any mustang gt i've raced. The only one I lost badly to had a manual valve body in the trans and a blower. Most of the GTs with autos or sticks are a good race.

geoff



HomerDak
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2003
20:20:28

RE: 90's V8 power
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Ok so by what you're saying the 92-93's had more factory power. I like the idea of the custom built engine but I would have really no means of doing it, plus I don't have the know-how to do all of that.
I think that if I did get a truck with a 318 than I'd want to have like new headers, exhaust, intake etc put on it.
Do you think that replacing my GenI with a II would be a bettter route than dropping in a new engine and having to modify the body?



bakindak
Dodge Dakota
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4/24/2003
06:39:31

RE: 90's V8 power
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well I can tell you that body modification isnt necessary to get a 318 into a 3.9 Gen 1. Should just about drop right in, make sure you remove the stock fan on the 318 and install an electric one cause your 318 will have your rad for lunch if you dont, migt possibly be some mounting issues but not 100 % on that



90daknthe12s
Dodge Dakota
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4/29/2003
20:03:46

RE: 90's V8 power
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ok i got a 90 dakota with a 3.9 in it currently i am looking to put a 318 in it for a little sleeper action ne way wouldent the radiator need to be moved foward since the motor mounts are the same distance from the back of the 3.9 as the 318 since the removed the #3 and #4 cylinder to create the 3.9 ? its just a question i thought id ask.



90daknthe12s
Dodge Dakota
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4/29/2003
20:06:51

RE: 90's V8 power
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oh and by the way scince it wouldent create any fire wall issuse the a500 tranny could be used. and i have an electric fan on mine with the 3.9 and got aboyt 1/2 inch of clearance so the radiator would have to be moved.



FazDak
GenII
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4/29/2003
20:50:27

RE: 90's V8 power
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Im no expert on this one but I will tell you I love and have almost bought a few 89 Shelby Daks.
Yours is esentially the same Dak less the V8.
Looks like to me all DC and Shell did was to add a very slimline elec fan and the V8 fit fine.
I know they didnt do anything to the rad support or firewall.

Good luck



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