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318 stroker or 360 swap
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Posted by: kashturner318

I have a 1991 dodge dakota single cab short bed 2wd. It has the 5.2L premagnum or LA motor.......My question is should I overhaul the motor or stroke it out.....or.....Swap for a 360 motor? If I swap the motor, what all will work with what came from the factory and what do i need to get? I was thinking a 360 magnum motor...............The reason I ask is i want to build a complete sleeper truck and I need motor advice. Thanks

Posted by: PlumCrazyChris

You could swap to the 360 straight up and just have to change the computer and throttlebody on your FI.

If you stroke it, your computer will freak and it will run for crap. You can control it with a different computer like a FAST or Megasquirt. I have a friend running a 97 MPFI 360 magnum stroked to a 408 with a FAST setup, but he still has a check engine light on and a code when he goes to inspect it. But he's got over 500 hp on tap in his daily driver.

The 360 would definately be the easier swap for you. There are some computer friendly cams that you can use to give you more power too.

I'm in the same boat, almost. I'm putting a TBI 318 in my 70 Challenger. I would rather go with a 360, just don't have one handy and the 318 is actually pretty stong in the van I'm pulling it from. Along with the 318 is an overdrive transmission, which is the real reason for the swap. The motor is replacing a 318, so there won't be much change there. It'll just have the roller heads and better throttle response.

Eventually, I'd like to add a turbo to the 318, or go to a 408. All of which will require a new controller. I'm looking into Megasquirt, because its cheap, and has a lot of support and I'm just a do-it-yourself kind of guy.

We'll see how it goes. If I were you, I'd just find a 360 and put it in there with a bigger throttle body and new computer.

Chris

Posted by: MadScientistMatt

Hi Chris! I've seen you on the Megasquirt site.

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