[Sug]

The charger is lifted 6inches with 35inch tires and I think the previous owner did not change out the gears so the little 318 strains just driving around town. On the freeway Im constantly flooring it to acheive 75mph on the meter but in reality it should probably be 82-85mph with the bigger tires. Anyway this is my dads truck and would like to know if a diesel engine be it cummins from a newer truck, would it work with the same engine mounts? Or would new mounts have to be welded in? What about the tranny and transfer case?

Or could I get a Big block with fuel injection ( It already has TBI, not as effecient as MPFI) or a 360 with MPFI and get better mileage b/c it would not strain all the time to keep speed driving around town and on the freeway.

 

[jaamzg]

It would be cheaper, faster, and easier to just change out the gears. my .02

james

 

[SeahawkDodge]

While the cummins would be nice, it would be a good 5-10 thousand dollar project, if you did it yourself.
As Jaamzg suggested, your first move should be to change the gearing. With 35's, you should be running a 4.10:1 ratio if you do a lot of highway driving and have OD. If you do offroading, you can go with a set of 4.56:1's.
Next, there are things you can do to spice up the 318, but swapping to a 360 TBI would be the most cost effective thing to do. A 360 with TBI setup would be a direct bolt in, even the electrical connections are the same, you would just need the block, heads, intake manifold, TBI unit and computer from the 360 vehicle. Don't forget the torque converter, since the 360 is externally balanced.

 

[RXT]

Well Cummins swaps aren't cheap, but the engine will bolt into a Ramcharger. At least with the massive low end torque of newer engines you can run 35s and tall gears, no prob!

If you don't want to break the bank, you have two options.

1) Go back to 31 inch tires or,
2) Install lower gears in both axles.

A larger engine, be it a 360 or 440 may produce more torque than your 318, but you'll still need to change to a lower gear ratio.

Ed

 

[Sug]

Thanks guys, whats the stock ratio btw? So its more important to swap the gears to acheive the freeway passing power it once had.

Anyway just an idea, has anyone ever turbocharged a 318 or 360 ramcharger?

 

[SeahawkDodge]

Thanks guys, whats the stock ratio btw? So its more important to swap the gears to acheive the freeway passing power it once had.

Anyway just an idea, has anyone ever turbocharged a 318 or 360 ramcharger?

The stock ratio can be a 2.94:1, 3.23:1 or 3.55:1. With 35's on there, you should have close to stock accelleration with 4.10:1's.
There are a few supercharged and turbocharged 318's out there, but it would be easier to put in a 360. Then if you put the same amount of $$$ into it, you are going to make more HP with a 360 than with a 318.
Just my spare change.

 

[Sug]

Is there a specific generation of period of years a 360 would work best with this RC? What about emissions? Would the engine have to be of a model year newer then the truck ( Engine swap ei; Datsun-350 chevy swap or a jaguar - chevy engine swap) type of deal?

 

[SeahawkDodge]

Is there a specific generation of period of years a 360 would work best with this RC? What about emissions? Would the engine have to be of a model year newer then the truck ( Engine swap ei; Datsun-350 chevy swap or a jaguar - chevy engine swap) type of deal?

For you, a 1989 to 1992 360 would be a direct bolt in. Otherwise you can use any year block and heads from 1981 until 1992, you just have to find the TBI manifold and TB and bolt it on.
Yes, technically you have to install an engine of the same or newer model year, but most inspectors won't look at that. As long as it passes emissions they don't really care enough to look at casting dates.

 

[Sug]

Sounds good, now all I have to do is find a good 360 and rebuild it.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

IMHO, even after the 360 swap, you would still be running less than ideal rpm's. The same problem would still exist, just ever so slightly less. If the existing motor is sound, then stick with the advice already mentioned.
Note also that you should confirm just what ratio is in the diffs. Check our FAQ section for advice on how to do that. 82-85 for a lifted RC with 35's and a 318 isn't so far fetched I might add.
Mike