K I am wanting to buy a newer used vehicle for a more modern engine/trans swap into my 79 volare' duster/roadrunner.

armataz

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Dakota is full frame. They don't have a k-member.
thanks, as I said I;m nut a mechanic, so I assumed the K member refered to how the different engines were supported in the frame,( a member that provided different hard points for the engine mounts as it were, I dint know that they were exclusive to the unibody sub frame, I still b learnin stuff,
not to offend,I dont know, but I was watching a you tube guy that was talking about how to build a F body on a budget, and he said that these magnums are high maintenance and prone to expensive break downs ,because during this time Chrysler was cutting a lot of corners, and was basically going out of business,
was not limited to the heads but other engine components... including a weaker block
is there truth to this, or is it just an opinion,
as I mentioned at the start, I had heard rumers that there were certain years that should be avoided for doing engine swaps,. I want a modern power plant, but I dont want to throw good money after bad . chasing bugs.
 
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Aspen500

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Just for info, the k'frame from any F/M/J body are the same. An A/B/E k-frame is completely different.

What they may have been refering to is the Schumacher engine swap mount brackets that allow you to put a V-8 on a S6 k-frame. That is much easier than swapping k-frames. Also, finding a good V-8 K, that isn't rotted out is getting harder to come by as the years go by.
 

armataz

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Just for info, the k'frame from any F/M/J body are the same. An A/B/E k-frame is completely different.

What they may have been refering to is the Schumacher engine swap mount brackets that allow you to put a V-8 on a S6 k-frame. That is much easier than swapping k-frames. Also, finding a good V-8 K, that isn't rotted out is getting harder to come by as the years go by.
thanks for the added info on the K frames and Schumacher mounts, but he seamed to not be in favor of using the magnums because of being prone to recuring expensive break downs.
with an engine this old, I expect it should be rebuilt, or at least over hauled,, just dont want to do that, and still have issues.
 
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Mikes5thAve

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Magnums weren't prone to breakdowns?
The simplest swap to get fuel injection would probably be a normal 318 or 360 with an aftermarket setup on it. It's probably cheaper too then buying a 90s truck and moving all the computer and fuel injection stuff into the car and doing any tuning to it especially when you're not the one doing the work.

Getting a parts car like that red 5th Avenue is probably the best route. Then you're getting thr k frame and an engine and transmission in one shot. Throw that in with a fuel injection setup and you're good to go.
 

armataz

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Magnums weren't prone to breakdowns?
The simplest swap to get fuel injection would probably be a normal 318 or 360 with an aftermarket setup on it. It's probably cheaper too then buying a 90s truck and moving all the computer and fuel injection stuff into the car and doing any tuning to it especially when you're not the one doing the work.

Getting a parts car like that red 5th Avenue is probably the best route. Then you're getting thr k frame and an engine and transmission in one shot. Throw that in with a fuel injection setup and you're good to go.
K so , the magnums are just as solid a platform, as a 80;s; back5,9 5,2 except the heads mentioned earlier,
it might be less costly to go with an earlier engine and add a modern injection set up to it because I'll get more of a total package deal
in either case, I'm looking for the 727 trans to back it up,
does this sound correct? based on my specs
 

armataz

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reason for buyin a complete vehicle, it\s to get other parts, like exaust,radiator ect, the mechanic can re use for the swap
it is usually cheaper to buy a used or wrecked car for a couple grand or less, then buying the parts individually,
I was thinking trucks, because I knoe most everything was front wheel drive late 80;s and newer, except trucks.
my budies are telling me to just stick a LS 350 in it.
quick and simple.
but I wanna kep it mopar
 

Mikes5thAve

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Things like radiator and exhaust from a truck won't necessarily fit in a car and especially exhaust there's rarely anything salvageable other then the manifolds and turning in the catalytics for scrap value. The biggest reason to get a truck would be to get the magnum engine and transmission from along with the wiring and computers but if you want to use a 727 the transmission is one less part you'd be using. But when you're paying someone to do the work there's going to be time involved salvaging all the parts and wiring and figuring out how to incorporate the wiring into your car and there might be tuning involved as well. And if you want to go through the engine or rebuilt it that's more time so you'd probably be ahead getting rebuilt engine somewhere and aftermarket fuel injection and then you don't need the truck at all.

If you go LS then you're also using a GM transmission or having to use adapters to fit a Dodge transmission to it and they'll be fabricating to get it all in there. In case why bother getting the different k frame at all.

Either if these situations buying a truck and swapping everything over or going LS is one thing if you're doing it yourself but when you're getting a shop to do it the time on it is going to add up fast so might as well do it in a way that's simplest for them and gets you something decent at the same time.
 

armataz

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ok, as I say, I want to keep it mopar, and I'm trying to learn the easiest /best way to do so.,
my fronds say I should just buy a rear ended firebird or camero from the 90;s with an LS or LT1 and just swap the front ends back to the rear axle.
but you know how it goes, every one has advice , when it aint their money. and no one wants to help beyond their words.

any way, .. so trucks are out, what carsfrom the 90's are in ??
cop cars in oregon were chrvi's or fords so not many fleet service mopars here, to pull 8's out of.
 
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Aspen500

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There are no cars in the 1990's that were rear wheel drive, or V-8 for that matter. They were all wrong wheel drive and either 4 cyl or V-6 from 1990 to 2005.

I'm sure it's been posted but just in case it hasn't, you can get an LA engine (318/360) from before 1992 (non Magnum), and put aftermarket EFI, such as Holley Sniper, along with a 3 speed TF 904 or 727. With conversion mounts it's pretty much a bolt in. Since aftermarket EFI is a stand alone system, minimal wiring is needed. No need to get your gauges and other things to interface with the newer factory injection system

What I mean is, that would be the most economical way to go, both in parts and labor, if paying someone else to do it. Also a bit less grief and head scratching.



JMO ONLY! :)
 

Camtron

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You’re looking for v8 F/M/J bodies from 1976-1989 for the K frame and a straight engine/transmission swap or using Schumacher /6 to v8 conversion mounts with either a LA or Magnum V8. Whatever you do afterwards for fuel support is up to you but, that’s the brass tacks of what’s needed to put the v8 into your car easily as possible.

There’s no ‘90s Chrysler rear wheel drive cars or K frame option that works for these.
There’s no issues with Magnum engines, they aren’t any more maintenance heavy or expensive than any other engine. Even with the issues I posted, they still run just fine.
Don’t think about GM drivetrains, there’s no support for it and you’d be looking at a bit of fabrication to get a GM drive train into the car.
 

Camtron

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I picked up a 5.9Magnum out of a ‘98 Dodge Ram B2500. Running/driving van for $600. Little old lady owned, still under 100k miles was her floral & hobby shop van.
Schumacher conversion mounts and doner engine/transmission from. Dodge Truck/van will probably be your best options with the cars that are/n’t available in your area. There’s only so many options and the guys did a good job of covering them.
 

armataz

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There are no cars in the 1990's that were rear wheel drive, or V-8 for that matter. They were all wrong wheel drive and either 4 cyl or V-6 from 1990 to 2005.

I'm sure it's been posted but just in case it hasn't, you can get an LA engine (318/360) from before 1992 (non Magnum), and put aftermarket EFI, such as Holley Sniper, along with a 3 speed TF 904 or 727. With conversion mounts it's pretty much a bolt in. Since aftermarket EFI is a stand alone system, minimal wiring is needed. No need to get your gauges and other things to interface with the newer factory injection system

What I mean is, that would be the most economical way to go, both in parts and labor, if paying someone else to do it. Also a bit less grief and head scratching.



JMO ONLY! :)
about the cars, that is pretty much as I thought.
but was not sure, so this helps
most of this is about my personal knowledge, I want to learn what I can befor taking it in,.
I also have to find a shop willing to do the work.
not many willing to even pull an engine, let alone do a complete swap,
speed shops are becoming basic repair shops around here.
I really do appreciate everyone's input here, I;m learning quite a bit,.
 
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Camtron

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Here’s a diplomat in Bothell, Wa. $900 running driving car, gets you the k frame, v8 and transmission maybe even the heavy duty variant of the 904 if you’re lucky…not as pretty as the 5th Ave either, lol

A79412D6-CB31-424E-AE12-14A93C7F1581.jpeg
 

armataz

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Here’s a diplomat in Bothell, Wa. $900 running driving car, gets you the k frame, v8 and transmission maybe even the heavy duty variant of the 904 if you’re lucky…not as pretty as the 5th Ave either, lol

View attachment 48930
im in springfield oregon
it was almost 400 miles round trip to get the duster from sandy,. which is just east of portland.
 

Camtron

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im in springfield oregon
it was almost 400 miles round trip to get the duster from sandy,. which is just east of portland.
Oh I know, I can see your location. Those are just a couple of the only FMJ cars I can find in the, PNW that aren’t $3k+; and even those cars aren’t any closer to you either.
I did a 582 mile day trip to pick up some big block parts from a member on here, let alone a kframe, engine and transmission…or a whole car, lol. It’s all the more reason to use the, Schumacher conversation mounts though. I don’t think you’ll have an easy go finding a v8 k frame local to you.
Looks like, Schumacher has the mounts in stock at the moment too.

Link:
'73+ A, B, C, F, M, J-Body Slant 6 to 273/318 or 340/360
 

Duke5A

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It would help if we knew what your budget was. This could get costly.
 

armataz

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Oh I know, I can see your location. Those are just a couple of the only FMJ cars I can find in the, PNW that aren’t $3k+; and even those cars aren’t any closer to you either.
I did a 582 mile day trip to pick up some big block parts from a member on here, let alone a kframe, engine and transmission…or a whole car, lol. It’s all the more reason to use the, Schumacher conversation mounts though. I don’t think you’ll have an easy go finding a v8 k frame local to you.
Looks like, Schumacher has the mounts in stock at the moment too.

Link:
'73+ A, B, C, F, M, J-Body Slant 6 to 273/318 or 340/360
I night have found a shop to do the replacement, they say custom installs, I'll contact them next week, they might have a parts locator, now that I have an idea of what to tell them I want,
I seen the 3000 newyorker and 4000 magnum. I had to turn my head.the magnum was realy nice, and it is a 360 car. just 40 milees away give or take too. bice copper gold color shiney perty... no.. gatta get the duster going, ARGH //////lol
 

armataz

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Oh I know, I can see your location. Those are just a couple of the only FMJ cars I can find in the, PNW that aren’t $3k+; and even those cars aren’t any closer to you either.
I did a 582 mile day trip to pick up some big block parts from a member on here, let alone a kframe, engine and transmission…or a whole car, lol. It’s all the more reason to use the, Schumacher conversation mounts though. I don’t think you’ll have an easy go finding a v8 k frame local to you.
Looks like, Schumacher has the mounts in stock at the moment too.

Link:
'73+ A, B, C, F, M, J-Body Slant 6 to 273/318 or 340/360
my budget is some place between what it takes, and as cheap as I can. I havenot set a budget, because I dont know what realistically to expect to spend. I paid 1500 for the car.
the guys from grave yard cars wont even look at it, cuzz it is too new
 
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