Are 5.9L Magnum engines any good?
 

My friend calls me up and said he blew the rear main seal in his 1993 dodge 5.9 and asked if I wanted it because he was just going to scrap the truck. I have a Road runner with a 318 in it right now and was wondering if this is something I should snag in case the 318 dies on me.

Can these magnums be built for pretty cheap? I bought headers, performer intake, 600 cfm eddy, and a fbo ignition system (ecm, coil, dizzy) for my 318. Will any of these be able to transfer to the magnum?

What do you guys think?

Great snag for sure, all but intake manifold will work. Get the flywheel or flex plate/torque converter too.

Dan.

Do most people keep the fuel injection or swap it out with a carb?

Depending on swap, swap to carb. stand alone fuel injection systems are expensive

If you keep it close to stock with OEM computer and full engine wiring harness, you can get a better running more reliable new engine in an older car, but that's not much fun.

If you computer search Magnum modifications/swaps you'll find mild to wild.

IMHO i would swap out the stock smog cam. and use a new cam about the same lift and duration as the stock cam but aftermarket. with a good double roller chain. 2-4 degrees advanced. never never go more than 4 degrees. and put brass soft plugs in the block. and JB-weld to hold them in.