A v6 Curiosity

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Sully1190

Look. It's a Gold Duster.
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I know that, technically, this forum is about putting new hemi engines into old mopar a-bodies. But new Hemi engines are expensive. My current duster has a 225 /6 in it. And currently, I'm at a cross-roads. I'm about to pull that engine out, and at that point, there's plenty of options on what I can do.

I've thought about just cleaning it up and putting it back in after I've painted the engine bay.

I've thought about trying to tune the /6 six up a bit.

I've thought about putting a small block v8 in it.

I've thought about fitting one of the smaller big block v8s in it ( a 383 or something).

I was discussing all of these options with my father. All of them will be work and expense in their own way. (some more than others). But then, he said something I hadn't thought of.

The new Chrysler V6 engines aren't exactly slouches. Especially the new pentastar. But even just the 3.5 would be a vast improvement over my current. I've checked, and I can get a vehicle with body damage and a perfectly running engine for around one grand.

But is this really as easy as my Dad's making it out to be? Will there be things I need (other than obvious things, like engine mounts and such), that I can't get from the salvage vehicle? Is it worth it? All questions I thought I would pose to this particular forum because, well... While this board is technically about putting Hemis in Dusters, it is, in essence, about putting newer engines in older cars.

And frankly, I'm new to most things mechanical. So. I wanted to know, beforehand, what I was getting into, and whether or not this was even a viable alternative.

I did a search, and can't really find anything.

So. Oh wise frequenters of the Hemi Swaps section, mind helping a young gun out with the theory on this one? I could really use your experience ^^
 
you will have all the obstacles that occur with the modern hemi swap and probably more. your on your own for converting your wiring as there is no plug and play harness for this kind of swap. other things may and will include the skim and computer coded ignition key. more than likely a tone ring will be involved. the transmissions in newer vehicles also require feedback from a computer door locks, gauges and speedometer will also be involved. then the proper fuel system will have to be constructed. i am sure there will be other things that will come up along the way. there's the exhaust anything is possible. all depends on how dedicated you are, your skills, resources, and your wallet.
 
i think you'll find the best bang for the buck and easiest of installations is going to be a small block swap
 
Well, I think I know everything that I need to know. Thanks guys. I had a feeling there was going to be more to it than it seemed on the surface. There's a bit of a difference in what all a "new" engine entailed when my dad was swapping them out, and now.

Appreciate it!
 
Ahhh, the 3.5l V6 in my 05 Magnum is RWD, so the statement "the 3.5 would seem like a decent candidate with 215 to 250 HP, however those were never in anything RWD other than the prowler, which used a transaxle" is soooooo wrong.
 
Ahhh, the 3.5l V6 in my 05 Magnum is RWD, so the statement "the 3.5 would seem like a decent candidate with 215 to 250 HP, however those were never in anything RWD other than the prowler, which used a transaxle" is soooooo wrong.

And the 3.9 made more than 160hp... So we have at least 2 wrong statements in the same post.
 
I'm not really up on the newer computer engines. But wouldn't it be possible to eliminate all the factory electronics (just keep the hardware), and use something like Megasquirt or FAST, etc?
 
I'm not really up on the newer computer engines. But wouldn't it be possible to eliminate all the factory electronics (just keep the hardware), and use something like Megasquirt or FAST, etc?

I think ignition would be the real issue there. Though if it uses hemi style coils, you *might*(I'm no expert) be able to use the ms setup for hemis, but minus 2cyl.

Personally I'd love to see this done. My brother had a v6 magnum that moved that big boat pretty well.
 
And the 3.9 made more than 160hp... So we have at least 2 wrong statements in the same post.

i completely forgot about the LX 3.5 cars...and the 3.9 was rated at 175-180 in its last few years. my bad for the misquote of a whopping 15 horsepower

i still think the turbo 2.2 or 2.4 would be very cool!
 
Would using the 2.4 turbo circumvent the problems stated above about the v6s? I know there was concern about all the different components that had to be tied in through the computer and such.

Someone told me on a different post that theres someone around here that makes 2.4 to 904 trans adapters! From what ive read around people have swapped them into all sorts of cars. ive seen a few in first gen Neons and old FWD Daytonas.. think even a Conquest

Not sure if anyones tried it in a A body, but would have a lot of support from the FWD guys.


Edited to ad the link to the other post i was talking about:
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=208229
 
Someone told me on a different post that theres someone around here that makes 2.4 to 904 trans adapters! From what ive read around people have swapped them into all sorts of cars. ive seen a few in first gen Neons and old FWD Daytonas.. think even a Conquest

Not sure if anyones tried it in a A body, but would have a lot of support from the FWD guys.

Interesting. Keep the information coming. Even if I don't end up doing it for this car, it's always nice to learn about the options.
 
The new Chrysler V6 engines aren't exactly slouches. Especially the new pentastar.

Yes they are. We are replacing the left side cylinder heads on the 3.6 because of a misfire issue. There is a design flaw in the way the coolant flows through the head and it cooks the valve. (I work at a Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge dealership.) Have fun with that without the right tools!

But even just the 3.5 would be a vast improvement

No it wouldn't. Erase that thought from your mind. The 3.5 is an absolute gas-guzzling slug. Heavy and huge. Do you really want an engine and ultimately a transmission from an Intrepid? If your Slant is properly tuned it will provide decent mileage and acceleration.

But is this really as easy as my Dad's making it out to be?

Not even remotely. Especially if you're new to mechanics.

I did a search, and can't really find anything.

That's because it's not really practical/viable/worthwhile. You'd be better off with one of the older 6 cylinders that were based off the Magnum engines, they should theoretically bolt up to one the older transmissions. (probably not a Slant 904 though) Still need to figure out how make it all work correctly, all that pre and early OBD stuff has been obsolete for years already.

Even if you paid someone to fab a turbo set up for your slant, you'll be way ahead. :cheers:
 
I found this, when i was thinking about the swap..hope it helps!

http://www.srtforums.com/forums/f10/srt4-engine-rear-wheel-drive-rwd-car-573892/

Lots of good info there. Had no idea those engines could be modded up to have that much power.



EDIT: A lot of the issue people seem to be citing is making it work with forward engine, RWD cars, right?

Does that mean this would be easier to make work in a rear-engine RWD car? (referring to the srt4 engine)

Pardon me if that's a painfully stupid question. Like I said. I'm not very mechanically inclined.
 
I for one wouldn't run a turbo 4-banger with an auto trans in a RWD configuration... the drivetrain losses are too much for the tiny engine. A manual may be a better option.

I vote 3.9L swap, it's basically a 318 with two cylinders chopped off so it should hot-rod the same way. Parts will be hard to find but you can get creative reworking some small block stuff (headers, intakes, etc). I think with just a free-flowing dual exhaust it would nudge 200 HP, that's nothing to sneeze at in A-bodies with stock /6s pushing barely more than 140 in stock form.
 
3.9 V6 in a '64 Valiant wagon.

MATS09_ValiantMagnumV6wagon_2.jpg
 
I for one wouldn't run a turbo 4-banger with an auto trans in a RWD configuration... the drivetrain losses are too much for the tiny engine. A manual may be a better option.

I vote 3.9L swap, it's basically a 318 with two cylinders chopped off so it should hot-rod the same way. Parts will be hard to find but you can get creative reworking some small block stuff (headers, intakes, etc). I think with just a free-flowing dual exhaust it would nudge 200 HP, that's nothing to sneeze at in A-bodies with stock /6s pushing barely more than 140 in stock form.

i think the 2.4t is rated at around 240hp bone stock
 
i think the 2.4t is rated at around 240hp bone stock

Sure but what's the torque curve look like? Unless you have a stall converter in the 3000-RPM range (which also sucks more HP) and/or steep gears it will feel a LOT slower than a small block with 240 HP. Maybe I'm wrong but most turbo 4-bangers don't make much torque until they get spun up a bit.
 
I would like to see the 3.5 with a manual trans and RWD. But I do not think anyone is makeing a bellhousing for this.
 
Is that the one that was here in SoCal that got stolen?

I think so. I remembered that car from several years ago. Always thought they did a nice job.Almost kind of looks like it belongs in there.

There are actually some hop up parts for the 3.9. JBA makes headers for it. Fastman makes throttle bodies. Could be a fun deal.

Bet you could find an entire 3.9 drive train laying in the dirt somewhere.
 
I think so. I remembered that car from several years ago. Always thought they did a nice job.Almost kind of looks like it belongs in there.

There are actually some hop up parts for the 3.9. JBA makes headers for it. Fastman makes throttle bodies. Could be a fun deal.

Bet you could find an entire 3.9 drive train laying in the dirt somewhere.
Got a ram van sitting in the driveway next to mine been trying to score the drivetrain out of it for a few years now would be a fun swap
 
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