1994 Dakota is getting this G3 in a few weeks

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RAMM

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Yeah yeah I know its not an A-Body but this forum is where I lurk fairly frequently. So in November of 2023 I had a real good friend of mine pass away due to the big "C"--He was only 2 years from retirement and was a true Mopar/Gearhead. He really helped me without asking , constantly and in all kinds of different ways--from free rags to work referrals. Really miss him.

He was really into the G3 platform and had accumulated quite a few cores and some new parts right from Mopar/FCA/Stellantis whatever you want to call it. He insists that he wants me to take these parts out of his shop so his wife doesn't have to deal with it and implores me to use them, sell them or do whatever, he had quite a few G3 cores which of one this thread is based on which was a 2016 5.7 300C core also included in this is a 1994 Dakota with a 3.9L with a pre-computer controlled A-500OD. The truck runs and he has already rebuilt the front suspension and made many repairs. It needed a floorpan welded in but he even had that made and ready to go. So I reluctantly get a buddy with a trailer and we go and get this stuff and vehicle. Never felt like such a vulture before... At this time my daughter is going to turn 16 and get her license and I figure the Dakota is the perfect vehicle to learn with. So I get it home and weld in the perfectly made floorpan that he made out of a clothes dryer sheetmetal wall--it looked factory he even used a bead roller to put ribs in it. Well life got in the way and a big move happened and yada yada yada. Fast forward 1 year and I manage to get it on the road.

When these first came out I wanted a 5.2L version SO BAD--but I was barely 20yrs old and was smart enough not to sign my way into debt/usury/slavery. I had more than I could handle with a possessive G.F.-LOL. My first drive after plating my memories of what the cars were like back in the 90's came flooding back and my feelings were quite mixed. I was like this thing is great! Also I was like thing is junk!--but I love it anyways. Even with the 3.9L Magnum you really have to put your foot into it for it to move like a modern vehicle. First time I picked my daughter up at work and let her drive home she asked.." Why do you have to push so hard on the pedal for it to ...GO" I said "Honey , this truck is not DBW (which I explaned how that worked) and the engine is built for torque production below 4500 rpm and the TB has a very stiff spring. I also told her come spring I am going to change all of that. However the truck works extremely well and me my wife and daughter share it all winter and have put between 3500-4000 kms on it with no issues....The transmission might be my favorite part which is weird because I truly hate and have had fully built and OEM 904/727 and whatever came in the damn K-cars/Caravans and they've all slipped/failed/blown up ...left me on the side of the road or lost a race etc.... Maybe if I had of bought one of these back then I would have a better opinion of their automatic transmission line-lol. Before anyone asks, yes I know this transmission won't hold much power, which is why I asked a customer/friend/Canadian Drag Hall of Fame--Doug Miller of FireBall Transmission what he though of my plans to put a 400-425HP G3 Hemi in it----His words " Yeah thats the transmission we used to set records in SS/AH with a 900HP G2 Hemi--and I'm pretty sure I've got enough extra parts to put in it...Bring me that tranny when you're ready..." Awesome. So now in my mind I've got the green light to go ahead and maybe build something slightly stouter...but my daughter will drive this so......I will get on with the G3 build in the next post. Sorry for the diary/journal, I didn't intend on that. Here's a pic of the Dakota, thing is bare bones-lol , not even wiper delay. Thing is super solid and lived its life as a gas utility work truck, has that hideous pale blue interior, with cupholders that don't fit jacksh@*-but I love it. J.Rob

20240201_084359.jpg
 
On with the build....Like I said I've got this VVT 2016 5.7 Hemi sitting there in my shop staring at me asking me when are you going to build me? Keep in mind I'm busy on the pipeline and I'm the busiest I've ever been at the machine shop just due to other shops closing and sadly..people at those shops dying. So I figure its a good time to burn some vacay time and hammer some jobs out. Which turned out to be a good move. So I took last week and went through all of the stuff I inherited and it turns out I really only had to order an oil pick-up and head bolts and crank spacer and have the crank balanced to make this build happen. I lifted the shortblock down from the mazzanine and proceed to take it apart. This thing is absolutely gorgeous inside, I should have re-used the bearings, not a mark, not one dated 2016. Even the residual oil was almost new, clean, didnt even have that smell. My only surprise was that it was a VVT engine, I had assumed it was pre-2009 as it had no tell tale Eagle cylinder heads on it.

Your not going to believe this but my buddy had grand plans and accumulated brand new Wiseco pistons, K1 H-beam rods and actually bought brand new forged steel crankshafts directly from Mopar. So the plan was an all forged rotator, stock displacement with ported (more on that in a bit) Eagle heads, Cascar intake, MSD 6, 650 VS FST carb. Here's a shot of the bottom end. Oh and first time I've ever painted a G3 anything but black..I actually love the corporate blue on this thing. J.Rob

ForgedBottom5.7.jpg


ShortblockAssembled.jpg
 
I ordered a Dakota just like this brand new in 1995. V8, 5 speed manual & 3.91 locking rear. It was a hoot to drive & ran high 14s at ATCO with the stock tires on it & very mild mods. We just finished dropping a 2016 Scat Pak engine (485 H.P. rated) in a 76 D-100 using the install kit from Holley. Everything fit like it was built that way & my friend who owns it says it the fastest vehicle he's ever had, & he's had some pretty fast stuff. Even with the smaller, lower H.P. HEMI, that Dakota you have is going to FLY. Good luck & have fun.
 
Forgot about the camshaft-I actually thought I was going to have to buy a cam that was VVT but looking through his stockpile I found a brand new SRT 392 CAM. I'm not entirely sure if its the auto or 6spd stick I could not find definitive answers according to the part # on it,,,but I think its this one. J.Rob

SRTCamSpecs.jpg
 
niceolddart said:
I ordered a Dakota just like this brand new in 1995. V8, 5 speed manual & 3.91 locking rear. It was a hoot to drive & ran high 14s at ATCO with the stock tires on it & very mild mods. We just finished dropping a 2016 Scat Pak engine (485 H.P. rated) in a 76 D-100 using the install kit from Holley. Everything fit like it was built that way & my friend who owns it says it the fastest vehicle he's ever had, & he's had some pretty fast stuff. Even with the smaller, lower H.P. HEMI, that Dakota you have is going to FLY. Good luck & have fun.
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That is awesome to hear and yes back in that time period I had a serious hate on for the 5.0L jerks and viewed your exact package Dakota as the answer to the Ford problem. The 5.0L's were pretty quick across an intersection but most ran low 15's around here. In fact I embarassed quite a few in my 1985 GLH with a few mods--LOL. I didn't realize then that I was at the forefront of the damn "tuner" era. J.Rob
 
niceolddart said:
I ordered a Dakota just like this brand new in 1995. V8, 5 speed manual & 3.91 locking rear. It was a hoot to drive & ran high 14s at ATCO with the stock tires on it & very mild mods. We just finished dropping a 2016 Scat Pak engine (485 H.P. rated) in a 76 D-100 using the install kit from Holley. Everything fit like it was built that way & my friend who owns it says it the fastest vehicle he's ever had, & he's had some pretty fast stuff. Even with the smaller, LOWER HP HEMI, that Dakota you have is going to FLY. Good luck & have fun.
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Here's the thing...This build took a direction quite organically as I didn't plan on Eagle heads let alone ported (by SIXPACKGUT on Moparts) Eagle heads. I was dumb though and didn't even slap one on the flowbench because why? They are going to flow way more than 300CFM and this engine just isn't going to need anywhere close to that. I don't care what they flow or how they flow, Hemi's dont make great part throttle torque and quite frankly I don't want that kind of torque. I did not port these but did pull them apart and resurfaced .005" and check/clean them. They looked awesome. This thing might crank out some good numbers. We'll see in a few weeks. J.Rob

20250308_100323.jpg
 
RAMM said:
That is awesome to hear and yes back in that time period I had a serious hate on for the 5.0L jerks and viewed your exact package Dakota as the answer to the Ford problem. The 5.0L's were pretty quick across an intersection but most ran low 15's around here. In fact I embarassed quite a few in my 1985 GLH with a few mods--LOL. I didn't realize then that I was at the forefront of the damn "tuner" era. J.Rob
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Yep, V8 regular cab first gen Dakotas were VERY underestimated. A friend had a very nice 1969 396 auto. Chevelle SS that I drag raced several times one night. (Street racing) I had a passenger, he didn't, I beat him EVERY TIME we raced by at least a car length. I wish I would have kept it. Now I have the one in my Avatar. It's a 2000 4.7 OHC, 5 speed & 3.55 Trak-Lok 9-1/4" rear, all from the factory & under 52,000 miles on it. It's a few hundred pounds heavier than a first gen. but still a ball to drive & handles awesome too!
 
Spent a few more minutes-LOL on it yesterday and glassbeaded the front cover, black wrinkle coated it and cured it in the coating oven @ 200*F and installed the new seals. Looks killer IMO. Also checked for pushrod length and ordered some Trend 5/16" slightly shorter than stock. I will not use stock pushrods in anything for the minor cost. At this point I actually want an engine that is going to be as solid as a rock for-a long long time, maybe even run like a champ well past my expiry. So I invested in ARP main stud kit, King XP bearings, Durabond coated cam bearings ($$$$), waterpump, FST VS carb , and more time machining it. I wasn't going to line hone it but I did as well as .005" square deck it. Oh and I even made a cool front cam bearing tool because that front bearing is a beast and if you F!@# it up life gets miserable. This thing worked like a bloody charm. J.Rob

20250305_153641.jpg
 
Another picture of the shortblock topside with Fel-Pro MLS head gaskets. This will be almost 12.5 comp. I have it on good authority that the G3 gets it burn done so fast ( because of the twin plugs) that it will run great on premium pump fuel. If I have to put it on METH injection I will. I probably have about $1000.00 into this engine not including carb so why not? J.Rob

20250305_181319.jpg
 
So I guess the question in my mind is --how much power will this little beauty going to make? And will it be an utter hoot to drive<< which is the real question. J.Rob

BlackWrinkleG3CarCover.jpg
 
That late model Hemi that we put in the D-100 was pulled from a wrecked Challenger Scat Pak & he did NO internal mod to it except swap the oil pick-up & pan to fit the truck application. Maybe you should think about a 9-1/4" or a Dana 60 rear for that thing with the mods you're doing. The axle from the factory won't last long, even if it's the 8-1/4''. From what I've read, a 9-1/4" rear from a later Dakota or Durango will fit right under it without cutting the axle tubes down, only shock perch changes, I believe.
 
niceolddart said:
That late model Hemi that we put in the D-100 was pulled from a wrecked Challenger Scat Pak & he did NO internal mod to it except swap the oil pick-up & pan to fit the truck application. Maybe you should think about a 9-1/4" or a Dana 60 rear for that thing with the mods you're doing. The axle from the factory won't last long, even if it's the 8-1/4''. From what I've read, a 9-1/4" rear from a later Dakota or Durango will fit right under it without cutting the axle tubes down, only shock perch changes, I believe.
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That's good advice. Thanks for that info. I'm going to lower it a touch and was considering some Viper Rattler wheels which would require keeping the 6 x 114.5mm pattern. I will "baby" it at first.....Aww who am I kidding?....I will probably squeeze the throttle....Nope lets be honest here...I will probably mash the throttle in about the first 20 seconds of buckling the seat belt. J.Rob
 
Just your standard 2012-2023 replacement 6.4 cam with MDS. Can be used with non MDS lifters if you're wondering.
 
srduster340 said:
Just your standard 2012-2023 replacement 6.4 cam with MDS. Can be used with non MDS lifters if you're wondering.
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I wouldn't use it myself. Get the real 6M cam - https://www.stevewhiteparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-engine-camshaft-5037379bc

And make sure not to use the stock 5.7 springs. They can coil bind with the higher lift of the 6.4 cam. There are pretty reasonably priced if you buy them individually - https://www.stevewhiteparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-spring-68277306aa

And I wouldn't run 6.4 cam if you lock out the VVT. Don't remember that being mentioned but with a carb setup, seems more likely. I have heard the 6.4 cams are a dud if VVT isn't used.
 
RAMM said:
Yeah yeah I know its not an A-Body but this forum is where I lurk fairly frequently. So in November of 2023 I had a real good friend of mine pass away due to the big "C"--He was only 2 years from retirement and was a true Mopar/Gearhead. He really helped me without asking , constantly and in all kinds of different ways--from free rags to work referrals. Really miss him.

He was really into the G3 platform and had accumulated quite a few cores and some new parts right from Mopar/FCA/Stellantis whatever you want to call it. He insists that he wants me to take these parts out of his shop so his wife doesn't have to deal with it and implores me to use them, sell them or do whatever, he had quite a few G3 cores which of one this thread is based on which was a 2016 5.7 300C core also included in this is a 1994 Dakota with a 3.9L with a pre-computer controlled A-500OD. The truck runs and he has already rebuilt the front suspension and made many repairs. It needed a floorpan welded in but he even had that made and ready to go. So I reluctantly get a buddy with a trailer and we go and get this stuff and vehicle. Never felt like such a vulture before... At this time my daughter is going to turn 16 and get her license and I figure the Dakota is the perfect vehicle to learn with. So I get it home and weld in the perfectly made floorpan that he made out of a clothes dryer sheetmetal wall--it looked factory he even used a bead roller to put ribs in it. Well life got in the way and a big move happened and yada yada yada. Fast forward 1 year and I manage to get it on the road.

When these first came out I wanted a 5.2L version SO BAD--but I was barely 20yrs old and was smart enough not to sign my way into debt/usury/slavery. I had more than I could handle with a possessive G.F.-LOL. My first drive after plating my memories of what the cars were like back in the 90's came flooding back and my feelings were quite mixed. I was like this thing is great! Also I was like thing is junk!--but I love it anyways. Even with the 3.9L Magnum you really have to put your foot into it for it to move like a modern vehicle. First time I picked my daughter up at work and let her drive home she asked.." Why do you have to push so hard on the pedal for it to ...GO" I said "Honey , this truck is not DBW (which I explaned how that worked) and the engine is built for torque production below 4500 rpm and the TB has a very stiff spring. I also told her come spring I am going to change all of that. However the truck works extremely well and me my wife and daughter share it all winter and have put between 3500-4000 kms on it with no issues....The transmission might be my favorite part which is weird because I truly hate and have had fully built and OEM 904/727 and whatever came in the damn K-cars/Caravans and they've all slipped/failed/blown up ...left me on the side of the road or lost a race etc.... Maybe if I had of bought one of these back then I would have a better opinion of their automatic transmission line-lol. Before anyone asks, yes I know this transmission won't hold much power, which is why I asked a customer/friend/Canadian Drag Hall of Fame--Doug Miller of FireBall Transmission what he though of my plans to put a 400-425HP G3 Hemi in it----His words " Yeah thats the transmission we used to set records in SS/AH with a 900HP G2 Hemi--and I'm pretty sure I've got enough extra parts to put in it...Bring me that tranny when you're ready..." Awesome. So now in my mind I've got the green light to go ahead and maybe build something slightly stouter...but my daughter will drive this so......I will get on with the G3 build in the next post. Sorry for the diary/journal, I didn't intend on that. Here's a pic of the Dakota, thing is bare bones-lol , not even wiper delay. Thing is super solid and lived its life as a gas utility work truck, has that hideous pale blue interior, with cupholders that don't fit jacksh@*-but I love it. J.Rob

View attachment 1716375505
Click to expand...

Love this build. Always wanted to do a 2WD SCSB Dakota build, and a G3 is just icing on the cake to me.

What mounts are you going to use?

Do you have the Holley swap headers in your stash or do you have other plans? I wish I had picked up a set for a "someday" build but not they aren't available.
 
DionR said:
I wouldn't use it myself. Get the real 6M cam - https://www.stevewhiteparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-engine-camshaft-5037379bc

And make sure not to use the stock 5.7 springs. They can coil bind with the higher lift of the 6.4 cam. There are pretty reasonably priced if you buy them individually - https://www.stevewhiteparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-spring-68277306aa

And I wouldn't run 6.4 cam if you lock out the VVT. Don't remember that being mentioned but with a carb setup, seems more likely. I have heard the 6.4 cams are a dud if VVT isn't used.
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I didn't limit/lock the VVT phaser but will have no way to control it without the ECM. I will find out if its a dud on the dyno in a couple of weeks. If it is then good thing the cam is fairly easy to change out. J.Rob
 
DionR said:
Love this build. Always wanted to do a 2WD SCSB Dakota build, and a G3 is just icing on the cake to me.

What mounts are you going to use?

Do you have the Holley swap headers in your stash or do you have other plans? I wish I had picked up a set for a "someday" build but not they aren't available.
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I'm going to fab some solid mounts and no I do not have the correct headers. What I do have is a set of SRT manifolds which don't look like they will work at all. I also have a set of pacesetter headers that I can butcher up maybe or I may have to push the easy button and get some Holley cast iron manifolds but I really don't want to do that. J.Rob
 
RAMM said:
I didn't limit/lock the VVT phaser but will have no way to control it without the ECM. I will find out if its a dud on the dyno in a couple of weeks. If it is then good thing the cam is fairly easy to change out. J.Rob
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What are you doing for ignition? You mentioned MSD 6, but those don't work with the later motors without changing the tone ring and sensor last I checked.
 
DionR said:
What are you doing for ignition? You mentioned MSD 6, but those don't work with the later motors without changing the tone ring and sensor last I checked.
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You're correct, I used a brand new forged steel crank (6.1L) with a 32 tooth reluctor. I should be OK. J.Rob
 
RAMM said:
You're correct, I used a brand new forged steel crank (6.1L) with a 32 tooth reluctor. I should be OK. J.Rob
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Did you have to use a crank spacer for the timing gear with the VVT cam gear? I want to do a forged bottom end Eagle 5.7 someday for my Duster and have wondered if the 6.1 crank works. Seems like MMX sells a spacer, but not sure?

Edit - looks like there is a spacer on a picture above. No need to answer.
 
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I get the feeling that thing will make good steam above 4500. Soft down low but really wake up and run hard. Haven’t heard much about that intake, but I did talk to a guy with a carb’d eagle g3 in a 68 dart at Irwindale that was running deep 5s and the amount of time he told me it took to make the intake “work” was incredible. He did lots of welding and grinding on it. I’ll be following along for your results. Condolences for the loss of your good friend.
 
TT5.9mag said:
I get the feeling that thing will make good steam above 4500. Soft down low but really wake up and run hard. Haven’t heard much about that intake, but I did talk to a guy with a carb’d eagle g3 in a 68 dart at Irwindale that was running deep 5s and the amount of time he told me it took to make the intake “work” was incredible. He did lots of welding and grinding on it. I’ll be following along for your results. Condolences for the loss of your good friend.
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I also anticipate very low torque below 4500rpm. I am hoping it runs well and more importantly "drives" well. It's gotta be better than the anemic 3.9L in it now--I can't wait to get rid of the horrible sound it makes-LoL. The intake is quite voluminous-probably need alot more cubes to make it shine at low engine speeds. Thanks, I miss him very much. J.Rob
 
Frist very sorry for the loss of your friend. Very cool to see somebody elese building a gen3 hemi dakota. If I missed it what are you going to use for a oil pan? I am in the process of installing a 650-700 hp stroked 6.1 hemi into my 91 Dakota sport race truck. My engine came with a rear sump drag pack pan. The sump was long enough I had to cut out some of the front engine frame cross support. Holley makes a very nice transmission crossmember for the hemi engine swap. I used it when I was running the 360 magnum/904 in my 91. Oh I have got to try them yet. But soposedaly a set of long tube headers for a 5.7 hemi jeep will work. I look forward to reading about your dakota build.
 
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