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11:20:49 - 04/23/2024
V8 Dakotas
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dakkid
Dodge Dakota
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11/14/2006
18:59:27
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 Subject: v6 to v8
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aight, basically i'm wanting to swap out my 3.9 for a v8...but i got some pretty big plans for the truck. this is gonna be my special project. i'm stuck as to whether i want to order a brand new 360 (mopar performance, about $5000) or get a used low mileage one from a donor truck or order from the auto store. but what i need to know is if its possible to find a 6 speed automatic tranny for it. the engine will be either stroked or bored and then supercharged, and i want to get a 6 speed auto tranny to bolt behind it....or could i find a 5 speed auto that would bolt to it also? and i know you have to change wiring, but what all is involved in that. FI engine btw. if i were to go the distance and buy the mopar performance engine, it says its not for use with air condition...any way i can make it for use with air? thanks for replies.
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kik3
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2006
01:13:08
| RE: v6 to v8
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man were u trying to get to so fast? and when you get there, you will be with a big hole on your pocket. But if you must,i would get a low mileage engine since you are gonna still come and do all those mods to it. plus youll save money. i seen 360 engines for $3,000 on jegs (new) by the way dont get it stroked...once you do that, thats pretty much it. with a charger..you can play with it until you get the max out of it.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2006
02:24:50
| RE: v6 to v8
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No 5 or 6-speed autos. You could use an older 3-speed
with a Gear Vendors Overdrive unit, and have a close-ratio
6-speed as a result. You really only need a solid 4-speed
auto with a stout torquey engine. 5 and 6-speed manual
trannys are available (Tremec). There are several engine
offerings from MP. Which one do you mean? Are you aware
of the latest stroker models? They take the small block all
the way to 426 cubes. Regardless, you'll be very limited in
total boost you can run with the cast pistons in any of the
engines. So a little more planning is in order. Only gonna
run 7 psi or so, okay. More? You'll need forged pistons,
probably (likely) a cam swap, depending on what you start
with. Also, you haven't mentioned the rear axle. Do you
think that little stock 8 1/4 rear will handle the engine
you're planning? You're looking at major $$$ and a lot of
time. Go with the best deal you can get on a V8, do the
swap, then work on the steroid-wild package. In the
meantime, do the homework and actually learn about what
you'd like to do.
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dakkid
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2006
12:35:41
| RE: v6 to v8
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thanks for the input. money isnt a problem btw. right now i can a get a rebuilt 360 from the auto store for $1799 (less $400 or so if i give them the old engine), but i can also get one from another store that isnt rebuilt but has 58,000 miles on it. but i need to know whats in order as far as the wiring from the v6 changing over to the v8....speedo, computer, etc...what all would need to be taken care of?
see, my original plan wasnt stroking, just getting a 360 and building it up over a year while i prepared the truck for the swap and bought all the necessary equipment. i'm talkin camshaft, rockers, pistons, intake, injectors, headers, etc. all performance. this is a regular cab dakota and i'm wanting it to be FAST. gen1dak, would the stock tranny from an r/t suit it if i beefed it up a little? i'm pretty sure i can ahold of one. what all would i need to do to it so it could handle this power? i'm aiming for at least 400 ponies and 400+torque. and about how much would the rear axle be? what size do i need to look into? i'm still in the plannin stage as far as the swap itself, probably wont happen for about another year, but i'm trying to go ahead and get the engine and all and prepare everything so it will go as quick as possible. i have another vehicle to drive so i have the time too, and like i said, money isnt a problem. thnx for the advice guys.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2006
15:41:15
| RE: v6 to v8
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Yeah, the A518/46RH/46RE can take the power, especially if you install a good tranny kit like the Fairbanks or TransGo kits. Also, add a large external tranny cooler. I'd definitely factor in a better torque converter as well. Looking at 400 lbs torque, the 8 1/4 with a limited slip can handle that. If you plan on action at the track very much, running wide rear tires, or going for even more power, I'd go ahead and pop for the 9 1/4, which you can pick up, no pun intended, really cheap and add an LSD, or snag one from an RT. Might get lucky and snag one for $200-300. Even starting with a plain 9 1/4, you could do it up nice for under two grand, and I mean the good stuff...and total overkill for a street runner. As for tranny beef, just look at all the goodies...
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/dodge.htm
What year is your truck? The necessary changes vary with vintage.
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dakkid
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2006
22:03:16
| RE: v6 to v8
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its an 03 sxt reg cab. i've already sank about $1000 in the little 6er it has, but its boring now. i had a motorcycle and it had me satisfied for a while, but then i wrecked it. now insurance wont carry me for like 3 years on a new bike, so i figure i'll go ahead and go all out on my truck. i had the respect when i had the bike, then wrecked, so now i'm gonna get it back, lol. but anyway, thanks for the help, really appreciated. do you think i should just get the used motor since its low miles and cheaper? oh yea, and btw, i am planning on documenting all of the process along with pics so i'll post the link to my site when i'm about halfway through and everyone can see this soon-to-be beast. thnx again.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2006
23:43:28
| RE: v6 to v8
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If the used engine is a Magnum and the price is right, I think I'd go that way. It doesn't take all that much to snag 400hp/400ft/lbs with one. You'd need the 360 computer and a couple more wires added to your current V6 engine harness for the two extra cylinders, V8 distributor. Otherwise, all the sensors, speedo, etc should work as before. Oh, be sure to get the V8 torque converter for the 360, or V8 flywheel if using a stick to have proper crank sensor function. I believe you'll need to have the new computer flashed with your truck's VIN to have the anti-lock and speedo/odometer to work properly. Fuel pressure? Not sure if there's a different pump in the tank for the V8 vs V6, but probably not. I have read that there are V8 springs up front vs V6 springs on later model Dakotas. ??? This wasn't the case when Dodge and Shelby stuffed the 318 into the Gen1Dak in 1989, so that should be checked. If true, handling might be more nose-heavy with the extra weight. (This is the hot setup for dragstrip duty, but less desireable for the street). Naturally, you need V8 exhaust manifolds and bigger pipes out the back. Good luck and have fun.
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dakkid
Dodge Dakota
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11/16/2006
02:41:07
| RE: v6 to v8
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thanks for the quick response, i appreciate the info. it is a magnum engine with 58,000 miles and asking price is $1075. i know i'm gonna be in it for the long run, but its well worth it i think. and yes, i beleive there are heavier springs up front to support the bigger v8s vs the v6...i'm planning on lowering it anyway, so i'll take care of all that when i do that. my biggest concern is traction. the little 3.9 has enough power to throw me into a fishtail in wet weather if i get even halfway on the throttle...i'm plannin on puttin some traction bars, but i doubt that helps in slippery weather. but anyway, it should just be a direct swap with the engine, tranny, and rear end...i'll probably have to fab some mounts for the engine, but thats not a problem, i'll have plenty of experienced help. one last question though.....what do you think a setup like this would run in the 1/4 mile? thanks again :-)..oh and btw, if i remember correctly, you're in gulfport right? if i run into trouble and you dont mind the extra work, i'd be willing to pay a decent amount for your help if i need it. i'm next door in mobile, al. you can send your contact info to my email, fisher4224@aol.com, if you're interested of course, and i will contact you if the project gets too big for me, lol. hopefully me and my buddies will be able to handle it smoothly, but they're all chevy and ford people so i dont know. take it easy.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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11/16/2006
14:24:35
| RE: v6 to v8
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On the engine mounts, should be a bolt-in, no need for fabs. 1/4 mile....stock 360 Magnum, lucky to snag 15 flat, but tweaked to 400hp, sharp tranny action, and a good grip....somewhere in the high 13's. Good memory. Yeah, on the coast. I'll drop ya a line.
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