my friend just bought a 1994 dakota with a 318. we want to build it up a little, maybe 50-75 horse. we work at a parts store, so we get discounted parts. anyone have any ideas?

 

Headers and maybe a roller cam with a profile set to give you a low-rpm poweband. The roller cams are expensive, but comparatively speaking, still cheaper than trying to convert to an LA valvetrain setup. That's what I tried. Produces more hassles than Hillary running for president, and I ended up killing the project because of it...

IMO, look less at horsepower, and more at torque. Bringing up the low-end torque numbers will get you where you want. I think the 5.2L Mag makes around 300lb-ft stock, and with that stock manifold, you're not looking at winding that motor up past 4500 rpm, so you might as well get as much usage out of it as you can. This motor was built to be a torquey little sucker down low, and that's about it.

 

This truck is a daily driver, but we want it to be a fun driver. the problem everything has to be done in two days tops.

 

thanks alot. yea, its a only car right now for him and so cant sit too long at a time.

 

yea, thats true. the 318 seems to have alot of potential

 

glad to hear that!!!

 

it is a reg cab, short bed 2WD. and man does it fly. i have a 1974 duster with a built 502, and this is more fun.

 

thanks for the encouragement and help everyone.