Crate Engine Questions For 1988 D100

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trajan3

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Mar 30, 2019
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Location
Tennessee
Ram Year
1988
Engine
318
I have 1988 D100 with LA 318 tbi. Owned since new and I am trying to put some new life into this truck. Fuel tank cracked few years ago and since no replacements are available, I let it sit up. I have a little money to throw at it so I am wanting to go the easy route. Here is my plan and wonder if anyone can tell me if this will work:

1. Purchase crate engine (360 or 408 stroker or magnum) Will not be a daily driver but i like more power than less. I have a Challenger Scat Pack 392 for daily use.
2. Install Holley new fuel tank with returnless fuel pump. they offer a direct fit replacement tank now for these trucks.
3. Install Holley ****** EFI
4. Install Holley hyper spark ignition box and matching coil
5. Install Holley hyper spark distributor.

If I do all of these things, does this completely bypass all of the old ECM or do I have to keep anything from the old electronics working? I would like to eliminate the EGR and any smog/ pollution from the old system.

Thanks for any input.
 

Sherman Bird

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Location
Houston, Texas
Ram Year
1998
Engine
5.2
I have 1988 D100 with LA 318 tbi. Owned since new and I am trying to put some new life into this truck. Fuel tank cracked few years ago and since no replacements are available, I let it sit up. I have a little money to throw at it so I am wanting to go the easy route. Here is my plan and wonder if anyone can tell me if this will work:

1. Purchase crate engine (360 or 408 stroker or magnum) Will not be a daily driver but i like more power than less. I have a Challenger Scat Pack 392 for daily use.
2. Install Holley new fuel tank with returnless fuel pump. they offer a direct fit replacement tank now for these trucks.
3. Install Holley ****** EFI
4. Install Holley hyper spark ignition box and matching coil
5. Install Holley hyper spark distributor.

If I do all of these things, does this completely bypass all of the old ECM or do I have to keep anything from the old electronics working? I would like to eliminate the EGR and any smog/ pollution from the old system.

Thanks for any input.
Here in Texas, you can chuck everything emissions related. I don't know about Tennessee. EGR only had one function, and that's to reduce, not eliminate NOX emissions, ditto for Air Injection units. The Catalytic converter does the rest. I kept my cats on the last 2 "emissions exempt" trucks I had due to how stinky the exhaust was with out them.

Check out your state's laws. The one thing to consider is your transmission's lock up converter (tranny) function, and how your mods affect that.
 

Travelin Ram

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Ram Year
2022
Engine
6.4
If you’re going to that extent, I’d do a new trans built to match the new engine. The old one will probably fall apart with new power in front of it anyway.

Get a transmission controller to match and you’ll need nothing of the old powertrain control.
 

1979PowerWagon360

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Central Florida
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2022 TRX
Engine
6.2
Sounds like that eliminates everything from fuel to spark from old engine. Did you search reviews of the Holley EFI? I know a lot of people having trouble with most aftermarket EFI's. I had FiTech which is pretty good as long as you have a sumped fuel pump and NOT their FCC (fuel command center). Too much heat outside of the fuel tank sumped ones. Might want to consider a nice carb like the Street Demon. I ended up junking the FiTech and love the street demon. I have a 408 stroker. Those darn frame saddled tanks like to crack.

Other thing that came to mind is finding a quality crate engine. Seems so hard nowadays to find quality. You have a builder?
 
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trajan3

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Location
Tennessee
Ram Year
1988
Engine
318
Thanks for the input everyone. I don’t have to worry about emissions where I live so I am good on that part. Started researching transmission controllers and transmissions. Have no idea what to look for and it is completely new territory for me on the controller. Lastly, I started researching the longevity of the aftermarket EFi and found lots of complaints along with some good comments. Going to give the Street Demon a serious look now and see what parts I need to make that happen instead. I know nothing is perfect.
 
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trajan3

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2019
Posts
3
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Location
Tennessee
Ram Year
1988
Engine
318
Forgot to answer 1979Powerwagon 360. No, I do not have a builder and thought I would find someone online. So far, I have just looked at websites claiming to make or stock various Mopar crate engines.
 
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