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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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12/25/2007
13:19:18

Subject: engine swap
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I had a 3.9 v6 in my 2001 quad cab dak 4x4. It just threw a rod and Im looking to get a new engine. The 3.9 v6 that was in there was "ragged" out and started acting up at about 100,000 miles. Im not putting another v6 in there because the engine didnt have enough power to push the weight of the truck efficiently, it was working really hard just to get to 70 mph. Why dod ge would put such a tiny v6 in a big mid-sized truck is a mystery......anyway.......I was going to put the 318 or 360 in, I know I would have to get a trans to go with that too, but what else is involved with this process? And also, which should I go with? 360 or 318?



RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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12/25/2007
15:33:38

RE: engine swap
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318 if you're after any kind of gas mileage.
The 360 is a great engine but hard to pass a
filling station.

I had both and found the 318 in a 98 Dakota I had
did the job very well.






.boB
Dodge Dakota
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12/25/2007
16:25:43

RE: engine swap
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I'm always in the "Bigger is Better" camp. I'd go for the 360. But RadioMan is exactly right - mileage stinks.

But, really, it all depends on what your goals are, and what you use the truck for. I tow a moderate weight trailer fairly often, and I drive up and down moutnain passes fairly often. I can use the torque.

If your truck is a daily driver and grocery getter, then I would install a V6 with some mods for more power. Then get better power, better mileage, and still light weight without changing anything like torque converter, front brackets, computer, etc.

A 3.9 V-6 with a blower would run great.

Changing engines on these newer vehicles is a little more involved than it used to be. You have to change the computer, sensors, wiring harness, radiator, etc.

You would need to find a donor vehicle, which is more difficult than it might sound. The 4.7 was new, and not all that good yet. The 5.9 was available, but only about 5% of the trucks had it that year. The 5.2 was gone.



brianj
Dodge Dakota
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12/25/2007
23:28:23

RE: engine swap
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i would save a lot of headache and just put a v6 back in.

its possible to do a 318 or 360. but like bob said. you got to change a lot of crap.

i would just put a blower on it and you also save money. and you also have a rare truck... a v6 that can hang with a v8.

that would be kinda cool.



Cheby
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2007
13:24:59

RE: engine swap
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I think all small block Dodge motors are crap. I'd put a Chevy under there.



jacksdodges
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12/26/2007
14:54:24

RE: engine swap
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if your not worried about the power,performance and reliabilty then do what this dumb butt cheby guy said ,go with a chevy.otherwise stay with the v6 dodge. about the same as a small block chevy

jack mcknight

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