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96 Dakota 318.. want more power
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Posted by: Huddaan

I have a 96 Dakota, 5.2, 5spd, 4x4, short bed single cab. I must say it does run very well, but I want a little more. There are a few things I would like to do to it, but I need some info. First it is a single track... the rear end is 8.25 with 3.92 gears and would like to know any cars/trucks that I could look for in a junk yard that is posi. Also, I found a 360 out of a 99 Ram that I can get for a couple hundred dollars. If I were to put that in , what kind of issuses would I be facing? The 360 comes with harness and computer. Will I have a problem hooking it all together and will the check engine light come on? Or should I find a better set of heads for the 318 and get them port/polished with a cam to wake her up? I would love to get around 300hp or even close to it. There are a dozen junk yards around where I live so parts are usually easy to find.

Posted by: MadScientistMatt

Let's see...

The 8.25 has been in production since the '70s and showed up in A, F, and M bodies besides trucks, but it seems the trucks have the most development.

The 360 you're looking at is OBD-II just like yours, has about the same ignition system, and almost identical outer dimensions. I'm not sure if the difference in one motor mount carried over into the Magnum series, but if it did, Dak R/T mounts should get it in.

You've already got the best production heads Ma Mopar ever put on the 318, so unless you get aftermarket aluminum head$, don't bother.

One thing I've often heard about the Magnum engines is that, like the TPI Chevy 350, the intake manifold is what's holding them back. It's designed for low RPM torque and restricts the air at high RPM.

Good luck!

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