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I'd never thought I'd EVER come in here.....
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Posted by: skeezix

....BUUUUT, What's the similarities between the 3.9 and a 360?

A guy at work wants oomph out of his 03 dakota, and I told him his best bet was to build and drop in a 360. Not sure what goodies he can put on there, but I figgered a 360 was a good start.

BTW,

Posted by: MadScientistMatt

The 3.9 is based on the 318 minus two cylinders. The bellhousing bolt pattern is the same as a smallblock V8. The motor mounts on a 3.9 are kind of strange, and the older 360's will not swap in directly. However, I think the newer Magnum series 360's have nearly identical motor mounts. Since the 360 is a factory option in Dakotas, the parts for the swap aren't too hard to find.

On the other hand, it is possible to hop up a 3.9. There's cams, headers, and quite a few other aftermarket goodies for this engine. He would want to take a look at the Mopar Performance Magnum Engines manual.

Posted by: rEk666

yeah i say just trick out the 3.9 it's a cool block my dad has one in his van. maybe try forced induction =)

Posted by: jedimaster

turboing a 3.9 is not gonna be an easy task, computer changes and such as the 3.9 uses a MAP sensor system. I would say uf your really lookin to hop up a dkota and want something a little weird ther is no sense in doin all the effort of a small block 360 swap when a big block 440 will fit in. or at least if your gonna run the 360 make sure you stroke it and run a 6 pack intake, and btw good luck gettin it to pass emmisions tests if you have to after that swap.

If he really wants to add some umpf to his dakota and keep it street legal, I would swap stuff like air filters, headers, catback systems dual exauhsts and performance chip, a ram air intake, bigger fuel injectors to match the new better breathing car along with a good ol fashioned porting. heck there might even be a stroker crank out for them v6's a new cam would go a long way, also maybe changing the gear ratio depending on where he wants to lay the power down would also help out.

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