Heads and cam swap
Rumblefish, thank you for replying.
1. is the collector at least 2.5 in.? and would there be room to make the down pipe fit.?
The exhaust basically has to cross over to the pass. side to go out....
Between the starter, torsion bar, front driveshaft, and transfer case, not much space left on the drivers side.
But again, thank you for your opinion!!
No problem. This issue is solved by true "Hot Rodding" techniques! Use your head and follow along below with some imagination. The problem being no Dakota is listed at Summit as having a V8 until '93.
The collector size should be listed by the maker (and/or seller) of the header.
Look here at Summit. As said. Earliest year for a V8 would be '93. If there are changes, I am unaware. But it may, repeat, MAY WORK.
https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/headers/header-style/shorty/drivetrain/4wd/year/1992/make/dodge/model/dakota?N=4294924068+4294924002+4294948686
I don't know how much room is available. I have not been down this road.
These shorty headers often exit somewhere in the same - ish area that exhaust manifolds do. I don't think they will bolt up to the OE exhaust or exact location. BUT it could be done IF the header fits in with reasonable clearance. You would have to fab up your own. DONT be afraid of such things. I had a similar issue with a Jeep Cheif Wagoneer, 360, 4X4, auto. Installed headers, used the OE pipes cut up with auto parts store exhaust pipe connectors.
Both sides of the exhaust off the header connected together and into the stock exhaust there on back. Drivers side took a J bend off the connector and then another J bend to run it parrael with the passenger side exhaust pipe off the header. A 2 into 1 merged connector joined them into the exhaust pipe.
The same could be done for you or use some generic pre bent pipes. You'll need at least 2 maybe 3 J bends at the exhaust size you want and 3 exhaust pipe connectors. Cut to fit down, below, around the oil pan and then into merge with the other passebger side pipes.
https://www.summitracing.com/search/outside-diameter-in/2-250-in?N=4294895313&SortBy=BestKeywordMatch&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=individual exhaust pipes
Summit also sells "Y" adapters to connect the two sides. Or dual pipes into a single cat and/or just a muffler.
https://www.summitracing.com/search?SortBy=BestKeywordMatch&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=2 into 1 exhaust pipes
2 in, 2 out muffler thought;
1-1/4
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wlk-17552/overview/
or 2-1/2
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wlk-17553/overview/
An "X" pipe instead of a muffler is a fine idea as well. That leaves you with muffler choice where you want to put it. (Or them, as in a pair of mufflers.)
Do a search at Summit for Dakota exhaust kits.
