Hey guys,
I'm having some trouble with my truck and I'm looking into doing a motor swap. It is a 94 dodge ram with a 318 and an auto trans.

Problem is the motor has 132,000 miles on it and is showing to have 50 psi lower compression on the #7 cylinder only. I'm assuming its a ring or valve problem. Still runs good but has a slight miss at idle and I'm sure its suffering power loss.

Now, I'm looking at my options. If I'm going to pull the motor, how hard would it be to swap from the 5.2 to the 5.9 while I'm at it? What parts would I need to make it work? Would the trans still bolt up?

What do you guys think? Any good shops in Houston, Texas to buy a long block from? I'm also considering while I'm at it, throwing a cam and maybe making the motor a little more stout than just stock.

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks, Taylor

 

It will be NO sweat to put the 5.9 as everything is interchangable but the 5.9 may have the 46RE tranny vs the 42RE ( I think that is the right numbers on the trannys... someone can correct me if I am wrong ) the main ( if only ) difference the is the number of clutches. You may also want to consider putting the 5.9 PCM in but you will need to find someone ( and may be a HUGE problem ) who will program your vin into it. If Mopar Performance has a PCM for your application ( don't know if they do ) then you could use that and have a dealer plug your vin into it. ( your A/C will not work until you do ).
I would really recommend a crate engine or short block straight from Mopar, having been in the business for so many years taught me there is NO Place that would have anything sitting on the shelf that I would put in my vehicle.
The heads on your 318 are exactly the same as the 360 so do not let anyone tell you any different.
PM me if you want the location to a decent machine shop.... but I might take a while to answer as I am working a LOT of hours these days....

TJ

 

PM sent!!

Thanks man!