Im doing a v6 to v8 motor swap in my 87 dakota. Came stock with a 3.9 and 3 speed auto tranny. Putting in a mild built 318 la series and just wondering what kind of electrical and computer related things i will need. Key is going basic overall just have never done a swap before and want to know a whole list of what im gonna need. I also plan on having a msd box in it also.

 

is your truck fuel injected? my 93 has a la carbed 318. i used a ready to run distributor i got rid of all the co
puter and wiring harness and im usi.g a 1 wire alt to clean it up even more.
theres no need to use the mopar orange ignition box or anything from the old harness the distributor does it all for you
you do how ever have to wire the distributor in i wired mine to the fuse box. this should get hou started. check your clearence on my 93 i need a e-fan

 

The truck is carb from the factory in 1987

 

ok so this should be a relatily easy swap for you to

 

A 3.9 is just a 318 with 2 cyl cut off so it should be easy swap. If you don't have a motor yet ? I would put a Magnaum 318 in it..

 

I'd look for a Magnum 360. The tranny behind the 3.9 won't hold up at all to a stock 318 yet alone a mild 318.

 

Yes i know i have a a833 4 speed im putting behind it

 

Sounds like it's gonna be a fun truck. 2WD?

 

Yes it is and then once i gey it all back on the road gonna stroke a 360 to a 408 and supercharge it

 

whats done to the 318