I've been toying with pulling the trigger on a magnum engine. I see them around but they seemed kinda foreign but now i think my dart is getting a magnum now that I know more of what is be getting into.
The Magnum block is a better block. It’s just simply a newer block and it’s made a bit thicker. The problem with it can be the none oiling passages of the later years with use of the LA head as Tony describes. IF this is a hurdle to annoying, search for an earlier block that still has the oiling hole drilled.
The OE head can make power. Not a lot though. But how it comes in is another story and one you may like much. As cast and born, these engines make for excellent daily drivers with minor camshaft upgrades, 4bbl. intake and headers.
IF you keep the factory FI, the initial cost might be higher but the cost is worth it IMO since it is an excellent system. There are only a few intakes available for the Magnum head. The cheap chink knock offs are OK fine for a daily driver not looking for everything the engine can offer. If your looking to step up, the Edelbrock intake is it. After these two choices, it’s a single plane from MP or Indy. There quite the race style intakes.
Edelbrock (AFAIK) has the only aftermarket you DDD head for it. While it is a good street performing head that can be modified very nicely for a good strip showing, I don’t know if this is what your after.
