Hello RCC, I've a 91 RC 4 x 4 with 318 - auto. I've owned a ton of mopars over the years and I really like this ride. Runs great, but for the amount of fuel it uses (10-12 mpg) I'd like to upgrade to 1992 - 2002 Magnum 318. Primary purpose is more power, may better economy. Read a few good links about LA 318 and from what I can see the years I have listed above should bolt to my transmission. Is this true? If yes, then what about ignition differences between the pre-1992 - 318 and years I've targeted. Then lastly, I'm guessing that since the magnums are multi-port injected, I may need to upgrade to a higher PSI fuel pump. Would this be accurate? Any help is much appreciated.
rnoorlag
Joined
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2,998 Posts
I'm repeating the others:
Will need to change engine side harness as was said. Not sure how close 91 hanress is in cab to 92/93 5.2, but expect 1-3 wires to be different locations on the bulkhead pin out.
ECM is way different for a magnum
5.9 is perfect for a D/W body- use the 2000-2003 injectors @ 50 psi and get 14 mpg in town
Fuel rail becomes very important if you keep your current pump and module- you will be forced to use a 92-95 5.2 rail with the on-rail pressure regulator or a aftermarket one. Not sure what 91 tank hole size was, but I know 88-89 were a different size. Know that 5.9s used a regulator on top of the fuel pump module for all years
I think you have a non-lock up tranny but check the current harness to see if its 2 or 3 at the trans connection BEHIND the kickdown linkage, not the neutral switch
Throttle cable for the magnums is unique 92-93
Y-pipe for 92-93 magnums is a junkyard only item and usually needing repair- super tough to find. Headers are easy but still need custom exhaust
92-95 is OBD-1. 96 and up is OBD 2 and a little more difficult to adapt.
Basically, what happens depends on your donor vehicle.
Will need to change engine side harness as was said. Not sure how close 91 hanress is in cab to 92/93 5.2, but expect 1-3 wires to be different locations on the bulkhead pin out.
ECM is way different for a magnum
5.9 is perfect for a D/W body- use the 2000-2003 injectors @ 50 psi and get 14 mpg in town
Fuel rail becomes very important if you keep your current pump and module- you will be forced to use a 92-95 5.2 rail with the on-rail pressure regulator or a aftermarket one. Not sure what 91 tank hole size was, but I know 88-89 were a different size. Know that 5.9s used a regulator on top of the fuel pump module for all years
I think you have a non-lock up tranny but check the current harness to see if its 2 or 3 at the trans connection BEHIND the kickdown linkage, not the neutral switch
Throttle cable for the magnums is unique 92-93
Y-pipe for 92-93 magnums is a junkyard only item and usually needing repair- super tough to find. Headers are easy but still need custom exhaust
92-95 is OBD-1. 96 and up is OBD 2 and a little more difficult to adapt.
Basically, what happens depends on your donor vehicle.
Joined
·
2,998 Posts
Use the 94 harness but understand you will need a 94 FSM wiring diagram and a FSM for your year truck to mesh them up together. Not fun, but doable.
Just gotta swap sensors if the connection on the 94 harness doesnt match a 96 sensor (but they will IIRC). 92-93 5.2 trucks and 93 5.9 trucks are your best targets honestly. Forget about vans unless you like cutting and splicing. Dakotas are better. More 92-95 dakotas made too. Still need lots of cutting /splicing and soldering. Forget the butt connectors- those are for hacks
Street and performance used to make 5.2/5.9 magnum harnesses but they are out of business and they were 700 bucks.
Mopar performance made stand alone ECMs and harnesses (engine only) to put their crate motors in muscle cars. mopartsracing.com had a couple I thought- still huge $$$$
To keep factory fuel injection you need a crank sensor. A 727 or 518 from a non-magnum engine require that you mount the trans case to the block and carefully mark where to cut to mount the crank sensor. Its only like a 1 inch by 1 inch cut but at a specific angle.
I strongly recommend you make sure you inventory and know of all the 88-96 dodge trucks in your area and even far away because you will need about a million small parts chrysler doesnt make anymore. I have 2 barns full of parts and still need to buy on ebay or drive an hour away to get parts sometimes.
Just gotta swap sensors if the connection on the 94 harness doesnt match a 96 sensor (but they will IIRC). 92-93 5.2 trucks and 93 5.9 trucks are your best targets honestly. Forget about vans unless you like cutting and splicing. Dakotas are better. More 92-95 dakotas made too. Still need lots of cutting /splicing and soldering. Forget the butt connectors- those are for hacks
Street and performance used to make 5.2/5.9 magnum harnesses but they are out of business and they were 700 bucks.
Mopar performance made stand alone ECMs and harnesses (engine only) to put their crate motors in muscle cars. mopartsracing.com had a couple I thought- still huge $$$$
To keep factory fuel injection you need a crank sensor. A 727 or 518 from a non-magnum engine require that you mount the trans case to the block and carefully mark where to cut to mount the crank sensor. Its only like a 1 inch by 1 inch cut but at a specific angle.
I strongly recommend you make sure you inventory and know of all the 88-96 dodge trucks in your area and even far away because you will need about a million small parts chrysler doesnt make anymore. I have 2 barns full of parts and still need to buy on ebay or drive an hour away to get parts sometimes.
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