5.2/5.9 Magnum

Ollywood

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I'm surprised that nobody has talked about a Magnum motor swap. Bolts in stock location of an LA motor. You get gains compared from the stock LA 318, 360 motors that came in the FJM bodies:
Availability from 1992-2003
Reasonably priced
Increased HP
Better flowing heads
Roller Cam
EFI
OD if u choose to use the A500 or A518


I have nothing against Big Blocks. The FJM bodies all have that nose heavy transverse torsion bar set up. I try to think about weight and try to distribute the best way I can. Putting a Big Block in these cars just adds to that. If it was all aluminum Big Block well that would be a different story.

I had my 81 CMX scaled a few years back and I learned alot. The car is almost fully loaded. PS, PB, PW, PL, A/C, Cruise, Tilt, and a 4 speaker stereo system. Battery in stock location

Heres the numbers that taught me about weight distribution or lack of lol. The only mistake I didn't put myself in the car to see the real numbers with me in it. Lesson learned.

LF RF
1028# 1081#
LR RR
848# 787#

56.3% Front
43.7% Rear

50.2% Left
49.8% Right

LF + RR = 48.4%
RF + LR = 51.5%
 

ramenth

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With the Magnums becoming more and more popular in the junkyards nowadays as the late '90's and early century trucks fill the lots just give it some time.
 

YY1

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Don't forget the exhaust manifolds that are just as good as 340 hipo and almost as good as headers.

60's 318- 230 Gross HP
mid 70's-mid 80's 318- 145-170 net HP
Mid 90's 5.2- 230 Net HP
 

Jack Meoff

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Yep.. That's what I was saying on Greg's I'd like to buy an argument thread.
318 and 360 magnum's are showing up in the boneyard's now.
Best bang for the buck for a 318 swap.

I of course being a sucker for punishment am gonna resurrect the stock 318 in my Dip.
:BangHead:
 

Eastyorker

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How easy is it to convert a F.I. magnum engine over to a carb setup?
 

340duster340

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are LA and magnum oil pans interchangeable?

if they are then the swap is a real no brainer.

you would also have to convert the magnum motor to the LA Timing cover and water pump.
 

BulletBob

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Mancini Racing sell a cam snout extension to put the fuel pump eccentric on
If you want to run A/C you have to use the Magnum serpentine drive setup because there's no current manifold that fit the C171 compressor
The Eddy RPM fits with the Mag stuff better than it fits with anything else
The Crosswinds works well with the RV2 & it's brackets
brackets are direct fit which can't be said about any other intake made for this swap
The Eddy (designed for Mag stuff) requires long bolts & spacers to use correctly

1992 model year only manifolds are the large outlet ones

SAM_2934.jpg


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Pete

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Im planning a 5.9 magnum swap in my 81 Cordoba probably next year. ive got the harness and PCM from a 96 Ram 1500 .
 

Pete

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Ill do it myself. my buddy has an 87 dakota with a 5.2 magnum . originally a 3.9 carbureted .he did it himself. you need the whole engine harness and pcm harness. i got mine from a ram truck in detroit pick a part yard . I just got to get an engine now.
 

Shorty Thompson

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Ill do it myself. my buddy has an 87 dakota with a 5.2 magnum . originally a 3.9 carbureted .he did it himself. you need the whole engine harness and pcm harness. i got mine from a ram truck in detroit pick a part yard . I just got to get an engine now.

I know on converting a 4.3 chebby to a 5.7 chebby there had to be changes in the wire harness , otherwise it doesn't turn out well .
 

kkritsilas

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If I were going to go to the time and effort of a major swap, I'd be looking at a carburated 5.7L Hemi vs. a Magnum. The Hemi does have a lot more power potential, and there are kits out there to get it to fit into an LA engine compartment. There are adatpter kits that will allow it to hook up to an A904 (and variants like an A998/A999, a small block A727 or the A550/A518). From what I understand, the major advantage of a Magnum is the heads, and there are ways to get the Magnum Heads onto an LA small block, from junkyard parts to Mopar Performance to aftermarket improved Magnum heads (see enginequest.com, and Edelbrock(both cast iron and aluminum)). There are articles on how to use the Magnum heads on a 318 (with higher compression KB 167 pistons and a decked block) to get 400 streetable horsepower. You will need a pushrod kit (available from Mopar Performance), head bolts, valve covers, and new intake manifold (unless you go with the enginequest.com Magnum cyllinder head that has the intake manifold bolt repositioned to use LA intake manifolds). While not dirt cheap, it is still probably easier than getting all the Magnum accessories (PS pump, AC, Brake Booster, etc.) to work with the rest of the car. You are essentially creating your own Magnum, with all of the advantages of a Magnum, and fewer disadvantages. Sort of depends on the condition of your own LA block somewhat.

I personally believe that the ultimate streetable engine package for our cars is the HEMI 5.7L or 6.2L with the 545TFE, the 5/6 speed automatic from the RAM pickups. Only real issue is the stand alone controller for the 545RFE, which doesn't exist yet. Using the S & P conversion package (not cheap at $2K), 370 HP, around 400 Ft. Lbs torque with a very smooth idle with a 4 barrel Holley should be fine for most street cars. You still have the issues with engine accessories (PS pump, AC, and PB booster), but this just may be worth the effort to work out.

Kostas
 
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efriedrich

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Magnum swap is very popular, great up grade and it won't put you in the poor house. FABO is a great site for tech knowledge, 20k members worth of resource's. I would love to do the hemi swap but its very expensive.

http://www.magnumswap.com/
 
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brotherGood

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Not sure if it was discussed yet, but if you plan on swapping the transmissions, your best bet is a pre-95 or 96 since they went to being electronically controlled at that point. Also, as far as the oil pans, you'll need a 360 LA car pan. Personally, Im swapping magnum heads on an LA 318..but that's because I got a stupid deal on mag heads ($35).
 

brotherGood

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Yeah, they were. That's the hangup about that swap though, the heads sometimes would crack.
 

R/T Mirada

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I just picked up a 94 Dakota O/D transmission and the mating 5.2L longblock off of craigslist in Downtown Phoenix for $250 the owner had a lien on the truck so he just cut it up and parted it out. The transmission will be installed this month and the engine will be a long term project since the stock motor will do for now

buggie.jpg


Attached pic shows the remains of the dakota and the seller's back yard

buggie.jpg
 
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