5.9L Magnum build with questions
I just picked up my engine yesterday and I was able to get it torn down today. It’s a 5.9L Magnum out of a 1999 Dakota R/T with 114,000 miles on it. My plan is to do a mild refresh and put the original 4-speed behind it and put it in my 69’ Dart Swinger for a few years. I’m planning on reusing the original rods/pistons/crank and installing a cam, intake, long tubes topped off with a Holley Sniper EFI. I tore the the engine down today and everything looks pretty good. Bearings show some wear but nothing bad. At this point, I will order stock sized main and rod bearings as well as stock bore rings. I’m bringing the block to the machine shop to have it hot tanked and new freeze plugs and cam bearings installed. When I get it back, I’ll hone the cylinders and clean up the deck surfaces. Im considering 2 options.
Option 1 is having the original heads rebuilt, off the shelf cam with matching valve springs, stock rockers, Performer RPM Air Gap intake.
Option 2 is getting new heads that work with the stock rockers and LA bolt pattern, off the shelf cam, LA single plane intake (that can be used with the 340 down the road).
My question is what is the biggest off the shelf cam I can run with each option with a basically stock short block? Also, what are my options with bolt on replacement heads that will work with option 2?
I’m not going all out super low budget on this, but I want something that will go together pretty easily with off the shelf parts. Also, I’m running manual brakes so a good idle or good vacuum is of no priority to me. I just don’t want to spend a ton of money on an engine that will only get replaced in a couple of years. At the same time, I’d like something fun in the time being. And a power band up to 6,000-6,500 would be a huge plus.
I just picked up my engine yesterday and I was able to get it torn down today. It’s a 5.9L Magnum out of a 1999 Dakota R/T with 114,000 miles on it. My plan is to do a mild refresh and put the original 4-speed behind it and put it in my 69’ Dart Swinger for a few years. I’m planning on reusing the original rods/pistons/crank and installing a cam, intake, long tubes topped off with a Holley Sniper EFI. I tore the the engine down today and everything looks pretty good. Bearings show some wear but nothing bad. At this point, I will order stock sized main and rod bearings as well as stock bore rings. I’m bringing the block to the machine shop to have it hot tanked and new freeze plugs and cam bearings installed. When I get it back, I’ll hone the cylinders and clean up the deck surfaces. Im considering 2 options.
Option 1 is having the original heads rebuilt, off the shelf cam with matching valve springs, stock rockers, Performer RPM Air Gap intake.
Option 2 is getting new heads that work with the stock rockers and LA bolt pattern, off the shelf cam, LA single plane intake (that can be used with the 340 down the road).
My question is what is the biggest off the shelf cam I can run with each option with a basically stock short block? Also, what are my options with bolt on replacement heads that will work with option 2?
I’m not going all out super low budget on this, but I want something that will go together pretty easily with off the shelf parts. Also, I’m running manual brakes so a good idle or good vacuum is of no priority to me. I just don’t want to spend a ton of money on an engine that will only get replaced in a couple of years. At the same time, I’d like something fun in the time being. And a power band up to 6,000-6,500 would be a huge plus.
