1990 ram v6 to v8 swap

Ram it! · Aug 12, 2013

Hello I have a 1990 4x4 dodge ram with a 3.9 v6. With a 4 spd manual transmission with a granny gear 1st the v6 has blown up and wanted to see what was involved or needed to swap from v6 to v8. Or if possible thanks for your help

88rambigblock · Sep 23, 2013

youre gonna need a v8, a wiring harness, motor mounts, probably a radiator, maybe a fuel pump... the conversion isn't for the lighthearted

Deblackmon3 · Sep 24, 2013

If you want a 318, I have one for sale haha. It works, but it would be best to rebuild it. I would rebuild it myself, but I don't have the money for it. It also came off of a 1990, so it should wire up without much difficulty.

You'll definitely want a new radiator though. The v8 takes alot more cooling power than yours probably can handle. Do you know how much pressure your cooling system is rated for?

crazzywolfie · Sep 24, 2013

radiators are the exact same.

i am not sure about the motor mounts. on the 2wd trucks you need a special motor mount extension plate on the drivers side to stick a v8 where a v6 was. don't know if 4x4 are the same or not. i think you may also want to try finding a v8 wiring harness and computer. it may run with the v6 wiring harness and computer but i think the v8 has an extra sensor on the throttle body that the v6 does not.

Deblackmon3 · Sep 24, 2013

crazzywolfie said:
i am not sure about the motor mounts. on the 2wd trucks you need a special motor mount extension plate on the drivers side to stick a v8 where a v6 was. don't know if 4x4 are the same or not. i think you may also want to try finding a v8 wiring harness and computer. it may run with the v6 wiring harness and computer but i think the v8 has an extra sensor on the throttle body that the v6 does not.

I just checked up on the sensor count you mentioned. Depending on how old the engine is, Chrysler implemented a custom fuel-injection system for the V8's from '88-'91 and the v6 Dakotas from '87-91. I can't find if the Dakotas were the only ones that received that upgrade or if it also was in the full size pickups as well. If I find any info on it, I'll report back.

crazzywolfie · Sep 24, 2013

i know the v8's had some temps sensor on the back of the throttle body that are suppose to help with hot starts that the v6 did not have

Ram it! · Dec 2, 2013

So will my trans bolt right up to v8

DodgeAddict · Dec 2, 2013

88rambigblock said:
youre gonna need a v8, a wiring harness, motor mounts, probably a radiator, maybe a fuel pump... the conversion isn't for the lighthearted

The computer changes, the wiring can stay,fuel pump stays,the radiator will work(the shroud won't) the mounts will work on a 318 the drivers side changes with a 360 or use spacers to use it

Trans will bolt up with no problem

Ram it! · Dec 3, 2013

So I won't need the v8 harness. ?

Ram it! · Dec 3, 2013

And also will it matter if I use a newer 318 out of a 95-99 dodge ram ? Or do I need to use a engine from my series ?

Ram it! · Dec 3, 2013

Thanks for all of the help so far

DodgeAddict · Dec 4, 2013

If you want a Magnum the best way is to use a 92-3 W-D series complete wiring harness & basically a donor truck to do it easy

Ram it! · Dec 4, 2013

Ok. Maybe I could just go old school drop a 318 or 360 carb. And do away with the rest of what I don't need.

Ram it! · Dec 4, 2013

Idk tho. Just want a lil more umph under the hood. To haul what I want to... So just looking for easiest and most cost effective way to do so.

DodgeAddict · Dec 15, 2013

Ram it! said:
So I won't need the v8 harness. ?[/QUOTE
The TBI is all the same some times you have to lengthen the temp sensor wires
It'll run with a V6 ecm but the timing is way off

DodgeAddict · Dec 15, 2013

Here's a pic of the carbed Magnum 5.9 under the hood of my RamCharger using almost all factory made stuff to use A/C,serpentine & all

The Magnum provides a lot of cheap HP with a carb

Ram it! · Dec 21, 2013

Thanks dodge addict. Sorry for late reply. But all of the help I've got is great. Will i have any problems with pilot bearing hole on the crank I've got a donor truck with 318. So hopefully I can just swap engine and harness right into mine. With no issues

DodgeAddict · Dec 21, 2013

At worst you'll have to cut 3/8" off the end of your pilot shaft & use the adapter bushing designed for the swap where the crank isn't drilled for the pilot bushing

1990 ram v6 to v8 swap

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