1994 318 dakota buildup
 

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.

headers
intake
roller cam, like T.Mihm said

What is the purpose of the build up? You should look into a posi unit for the rear axle, shift kit for the auto trans or a centerforce II clutch and short throw shifter, headers, programmer, larger cam, larger injectors, air intake, try looking for an intake with actual runner and not a dome (I have no idea what chrysler was thinking).

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.

headers, air intake, underdirve pulleys, computer programer/reprogramed computer, posi in the rear axle, shift kit in the tranny. should be able to take care of that all in two days.

If you take the truck to a dyno shop, they should be able to reprograme the computer for you if you installed a mild cam as well. Upgrading the intake will help to increase your power band too.

Make sure that you have all the parts before you start on it though.

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

Well you don't have to do everything at once. You can do the headers one weekend, the air intake and pulley the next. Shift kit some other time.

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

agreed

Especially in a Dakota.

glad to hear that!!!

haha

Depending on the size of the truck and if its a 2wd or 4wd. You should be able to get it into the 15s for the 1/4 mile.


A friend of mine has a short block Magnum 5.2 and is willing to give it to me to throw into my 01, 2wd, reg cab, short bed Dakota. I know that it will get me in the high 14s but I need good gas milage and something that won't get me in trouble..... thats what my other projects are for.

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.

Well after some upgrades, I wouldn't be suprised if it breaks some necks.

thanks for the encouragement and help everyone.

no problem
good luck