Magnum Engine Swap

[Christopher Lee]

Hey guys I'm new to this site but have a question. I have a 1969 GTX that is non number matching and wanna make a nice driver out of it. I lucked into getting a complete 1997 Ram 3500 Van from a church that is pretty low miles. I want to switch the drivetrain over to my GTX. My question is what do I need to do in order to put the 5.9 in a car that originally had a 440 in it? Do I need a different K Member? I know its a GTX and I shouldn't do a small block, but my last car was a 440 and want something different. Eventually it will get a single turbo upgrade. Thanks

 

[moparedtn]

I would request/suggest that you not do this to an original GTX.
Plenty of other, less notable or pedigreed old cars out there to play with, after all.

 

[Stephen Hotz]

www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/forums/magnum-engine-swaps.131/
Might help with info.

 

[rumblefish360]

Your car your way and not anybody else’s way!

http://www.magnumswap.com/using-la-parts-on-a-magnum/

Remember that the Magnum has no mechanical fuel pump provision. It has its own balance that is different from a LA 360. (Both external, but different.)
You don’t need a K frame swap. Get with these guys for swap parts; http://engine-swaps.com/

I highly suggest TTI exhaust stem to stern.

Add a carb, intake and ready to run distributor w/coil.

 

[Christopher Lee]

Your car your way and not anybody else’s way!

http://www.magnumswap.com/using-la-parts-on-a-magnum/

Remember that the Magnum has no mechanical fuel pump provision. It has its own balance that is different from a LA 360. (Both external, but different.)
You don’t need a K frame swap. Get with these guys for swap parts; http://engine-swaps.com/

I highly suggest TTI exhaust stem to stern.

Add a carb, intake and ready to run distributor w/coil.

Thank you sir. I will give them a call.

 

[rumblefish360]

Your welcome. I swapped a '00 - 5.9 into my '79 Magnum with what I wrote above. Backed by a 727 & a 9-1/4 w/3.55's on 245/60/15. An excellent street driver. No cam swap.....yet. A set of EQ/LAX heads or Edelbrock heads are an excellent upgrade for power without breaking the bank. I would also re-use the OE roller lifters on an upgraded cam to suite the build. The OE roller lifters are a little heavier than others, it is a low RPM street car. No big deal. I did this on the wives late model roller 360. I used a Comp Hyd. roller XE with 224 on the intake w/a 904, 8-3/4 - 3.55's and 26 inch tires. A converter restalled to suite. Excellent street car that moves well. Ported heads & 1.6 rockers will follow.

 

[RamRunner]

Your welcome. I swapped a '00 - 5.9 into my '79 Magnum with what I wrote above. Backed by a 727 & a 9-1/4 w/3.55's on 245/60/15. An excellent street driver. No cam swap.....yet. A set of EQ/LAX heads or Edelbrock heads are an excellent upgrade for power without breaking the bank. I would also re-use the OE roller lifters on an upgraded cam to suite the build. The OE roller lifters are a little heavier than others, it is a low RPM street car. No big deal. I did this on the wives late model roller 360. I used a Comp Hyd. roller XE with 224 on the intake w/a 904, 8-3/4 - 3.55's and 26 inch tires. A converter restalled to suite. Excellent street car that moves well. Ported heads & 1.6 rockers will follow.


View attachment 679941

I am glad to see more of us are swapping magnums into older Mopars, They are great engines.

 

[RamRunner]

Thank you sir. I will give them a call.

I'm just now following your thread, what did you end up doing? I magnum swapped my 67 Satellite.

 

[747mopar]

I would request/suggest that you do whatever you want to your GTX.

I've got the opportunity to get a rough Dakota RT with a 5.9 and am contemplating putting in my daughter's Satty. Great motor.

 

[rolling_Thunder]

Same K member - different driver's side motor mount bracket

No mechanical fuel pump - but you can swap on an LA timing cover and a snout extention for the cam to run a mechanical pump. That is what I did doing the swap in my 73 Challenger.

 

[BlooDSMeaR]

I would request/suggest that you do whatever you want to your GTX.

I've got the opportunity to get a rough Dakota RT with a 5.9 and am contemplating putting in my daughter's Satty. Great motor.

Just FYI, The R/T 5.9 engines are no different then the regular 5.9 put in any other rig. I thought the R/T dodges had more umph but nope. Doing a little research, the early R/T rigs were just cosmetics and suspension package. I have owned both an 03 R/T Durango, and an 01 R/T Dakota.

 

[747mopar]

Just FYI, The R/T 5.9 engines are no different then the regular 5.9 put in any other rig. I thought the R/T dodges had more umph but nope. Doing a little research, the early R/T rigs were just cosmetics and suspension package. I have owned both an 03 R/T Durango, and an 01 R/T Dakota.

I didn't figure they were any different, a lot of motor for a Dakota regardless. It's just a deal that's on the table that I'll likely pass on, people have no idea the amount of labor involved in panel replacement and bodywork... don't think it's really worth the labor I'd have in it.

Still interested in the 5.9 though.

 

[Lelo 500]

Just FYI, The R/T 5.9 engines are no different then the regular 5.9 put in any other rig. I thought the R/T dodges had more umph but nope. Doing a little research, the early R/T rigs were just cosmetics and suspension package. I have owned both an 03 R/T Durango, and an 01 R/T Dakota.

Got that backwards, 1998-2003 R/T had better exhaust (+15hp), drivetrain, suspension. 06-07 got the cosmetics with a 4.7. 5.9 engines are all the same except for balancers on later years.
" 5.9 liter V8 with 250hp, heavy duty 46RE 4 speed auto trans, 3.92 ratio axle with limited slip, a tighter suspension, performance exhaust and unique 17″x9″ aluminum wheels shod in 255/55/17 rubber."

 

[Bbodycomeback]

I am doing a magnum swap on my 72 charger we staying with fuel injection and serpentine belt system using the a/c system i.e. the compressor,drier and condenser having the 72 factory hose ends refuted to fit or evap.i am using the o/d trans that came with engine.i have the complete wiring harness with ecm.plug and play from there. My question is will a rear sump pan off a 2wd pick up truck fit the bill.i agree with the other guys your car your way.

 

[Lelo 500]

I am doing a magnum swap on my 72 charger we staying with fuel injection and serpentine belt system using the a/c system i.e. the compressor,drier and condenser having the 72 factory hose ends refuted to fit or evap.i am using the o/d trans that came with engine.i have the complete wiring harness with ecm.plug and play from there. My question is will a rear sump pan off a 2wd pick up truck fit the bill.i agree with the other guys your car your way.

No, you will need a center (car) sump oil pan, for a 5.9 you will need one for a LA 360 w/pickup.

 

[Bbodycomeback]

No, you will need a center (car) sump oil pan, for a 5.9 you will need one for a LA 360 w/pickup.

great thank you

 

[BlooDSMeaR]

Got that backwards, 1998-2003 R/T had better exhaust (+15hp), drivetrain, suspension. 06-07 got the cosmetics with a 4.7. 5.9 engines are all the same except for balancers on later years.
" 5.9 liter V8 with 250hp, heavy duty 46RE 4 speed auto trans, 3.92 ratio axle with limited slip, a tighter suspension, performance exhaust and unique 17″x9″ aluminum wheels shod in 255/55/17 rubber."

The engines them selves do not have any physical difference. A better tuned exhaust yes but mechanically a 5.9 R/T engine is identical to any other 5.9 magnum. As for the trans (Drive train) The only difference was an all wheel drive transfer-case. The suspensions were lowered a tiny bit, and the bad *** wheels with an odd and expensive size. I have owned both an 01 2wd Dakota rt and an 03 Durango RT 4x4.

 

[Lelo 500]

The engines them selves do not have any physical difference. A better tuned exhaust yes but mechanically a 5.9 R/T engine is identical to any other 5.9 magnum. As for the trans (Drive train) The only difference was an all wheel drive transfer-case. The suspensions were lowered a tiny bit, and the bad *** wheels with an odd and expensive size. I have owned both an 01 2wd Dakota rt and an 03 Durango RT 4x4.

All wheel drive? I have a 99 Dakota R/T and Magnum swapped my Dart. You know all about it..... I'm out.....