That's a great swap, I would think, with only two areas of concern, as I see it:
1. Although fuel injection is a superior delivery system, there are complications in a swap like this that can be avoided with a carbureted system. Simply replacing all the factory F.I. hardware with a carb and manifold will greatly simplify installation and possibly make more power, if you use the right carb, manifold, fuel pump and lines. Your gas mileage and driveability would probably be better wwith the f.I., but the whole fuel system from the pump forward would need to be changed, and there's the added complexity of acquiring the computer control unit and getting everything wired in correctly. An Edelbrock Air Gap manifold with a Holley 3310, and the addition of an electric fuel pump in the back (not really necessary, if you install 3/8"-lines and a strong mechanical pump) would be so simple... and effective. Your choice...
2. The 4-speed overdrive that comes with these Dakota/Ram Magnum engines is a great transmission, but the overdrive unit in the tailshaft is so big that to get it into an A Body car requires that you modify the floorpan and the rear transmission mount crossmember.
You can avoid that by simply attaching the engine to a 904 or 727, of course, and everything just bolts up like "stock," but, you lose the overdrive, which is a shame.
Again, your choice.
Hope this helps
Bill, in Conway, Arkansas
