1984 318LA to 92 318 magnum swap
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Joined: May 2018
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From: St.Augustine Fl
1984 318LA to 92 318 magnum swap
Hey gents, I need yalls wisdom on this swap idea. I bought a 1984 dodge ramcharger with a 318LA engine in it. Truck was all original and i got it for a steal. Only issue is the man sunk the truck up to the door panels and got water in the engine AND the transmission. I took it apart and found out that he threw a rod and damaged the block beyond repair. Thats when i decided to just swap the engine for another. A few weeks ago we bought a 1992 dodge ram truck with a 318 magnum in it. My dads a mechanic and says we should pull the engine and tranny out of the ram truck and put it in the ramcharger. NOW this is where I need yalls help. Is it worth/not super costly to just rebuild the magnum and drop it in the ramcharger? Or is it easier to just use the magnum block and try to make it a 318? I am open to all suggestions and help I can get. What is the best/ easiest way to do this swap? or should i not even try with this setup?
Mopar Lover
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,732
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From: Ontario Canada
Welcome.
1. The '92 block won't have through block oiling for LA head rocker shaft oiling, so no LA head on Magnum block. 2. Use all '92 parts change trans mount and driveshaft lenght, computer, fuel tank with pump and stay fuel injected. 3. Make Magnum carbureted, get conversion flex plate (to correct torque converter balance difference) and use '84 trans.
I've done #1 with drilled heads at back with external oiling tubes, pain in the...., #3 with manual trans and 3 speed auto, have not converted 4 speed auto to none computer control. Not done #2 but very many have so you'll find lots of info if you search the web. It's good you have the whole '92 truck as you'll want the dash gauges to match the computer.
Having the whole truck is the deciding factor for me, I would convert it to a Fuel Injected, Overdrive 1992.
1. The '92 block won't have through block oiling for LA head rocker shaft oiling, so no LA head on Magnum block. 2. Use all '92 parts change trans mount and driveshaft lenght, computer, fuel tank with pump and stay fuel injected. 3. Make Magnum carbureted, get conversion flex plate (to correct torque converter balance difference) and use '84 trans.
I've done #1 with drilled heads at back with external oiling tubes, pain in the...., #3 with manual trans and 3 speed auto, have not converted 4 speed auto to none computer control. Not done #2 but very many have so you'll find lots of info if you search the web. It's good you have the whole '92 truck as you'll want the dash gauges to match the computer.
Having the whole truck is the deciding factor for me, I would convert it to a Fuel Injected, Overdrive 1992.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: St.Augustine Fl
Welcome.
1. The '92 block won't have through block oiling for LA head rocker shaft oiling, so no LA head on Magnum block. 2. Use all '92 parts change trans mount and driveshaft lenght, computer, fuel tank with pump and stay fuel injected. 3. Make Magnum carbureted, get conversion flex plate (to correct torque converter balance difference) and use '84 trans.
I've done #1 with drilled heads at back with external oiling tubes, pain in the...., #3 with manual trans and 3 speed auto, have not converted 4 speed auto to none computer control. Not done #2 but very many have so you'll find lots of info if you search the web. It's good you have the whole '92 truck as you'll want the dash gauges to match the computer.
Having the whole truck is the deciding factor for me, I would convert it to a Fuel Injected, Overdrive 1992.
1. The '92 block won't have through block oiling for LA head rocker shaft oiling, so no LA head on Magnum block. 2. Use all '92 parts change trans mount and driveshaft lenght, computer, fuel tank with pump and stay fuel injected. 3. Make Magnum carbureted, get conversion flex plate (to correct torque converter balance difference) and use '84 trans.
I've done #1 with drilled heads at back with external oiling tubes, pain in the...., #3 with manual trans and 3 speed auto, have not converted 4 speed auto to none computer control. Not done #2 but very many have so you'll find lots of info if you search the web. It's good you have the whole '92 truck as you'll want the dash gauges to match the computer.
Having the whole truck is the deciding factor for me, I would convert it to a Fuel Injected, Overdrive 1992.
Thanks so much! Were planning on taking apart and rebuilding the 92 magnum before we drop it in. Just was making sure it was the right choice. So your saying i should use the original 84 tranny? The 92 ram truck is a 2wd, and the 84 had water in it. I was gonna flush the 84 and hope for the best but my dad suggests we just use the 92 transmission and call it a day. I just want to make sure i dont have to swap transmissions AFTER I spend all this time dropping the engine in and bolting everything together.
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ilikevans
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