Magnum wagon engine swap thought

[Penstarpurist]

As you guys know my son is looking for a car to daily drive. So I sent him some pics of hemi dodge chargers, which can be surprisingly affordable. Since he has been looking at wrx's I thought he would say no way. But he actually liked the looks and is giving it some thought. Which made me think about the one car I really want to add to my collection. Ideally one of the dodge magnum hemi wagon. They are abundant and not to spendy. But I see the v6 ones with bad engines, or transmissions. And it made me wonder, with everyone stuffing new motors in old cars, what about say a 1972 360 in a newer bodied magnum wagon. Is that a reasonable doable scenario? I see the wagons for $500-$1500 needing rebuilt or replaced engines. I'm not going to run out and buy one to do this, at least not anytime soon. And I know for what it would cost I could just buy a running hemi one. I'm asking if anyone has done this. Is it reasonable to think it can be done by an average skilled car guy?

 

[el5dart]

might be some emissions / inspection issues.

 

[Penstarpurist]

We are a no emission testing county. I'm sure at some point that will change in the future.

 

[1994redram]

The magnum is most likely CAN bus. All computer operated and controlled. Putting a carb engine in it and making that run wouldn't be too hard. But making the A/C, gauges, transmission, etc function would be tough. Your better off just getting a hemi magnum to start with.

 

[Penstarpurist]

I think you're definitely right red ram on that. As I can get one as cheap as 5k running and driving. Not the srt8, but the 5.7 all day for that. And I'm sure even with already having a runable 360/727 and picking up a $500 wagon. Said and done I'd probably have way more into it finished. But it could be way cool, or a never ending journey that becomes frustrating and gets pushed to the back of my gravel lot.

 

[hemi446]

I have an 05 Magnum Hemi with 280000 miles on it. I bought it new and it has had the oil changed every 4000 miles. It’s been a good daily driver. You would have a really good time trying to put any other engine in that body none of the mounts or the transmission would bolt up at all. Not including all the wiring, fuel system and making all the computers work together. It would be easier to put the Magnum body on an old car. You would be better off just finding a car that suits your needs

 

[famous bob]

The magnum is most likely CAN bus. All computer operated and controlled. Putting a carb engine in it and making that run wouldn't be too hard. But making the A/C, gauges, transmission, etc function would be tough. Your better off just getting a hemi magnum to start with.

And putting a 2013 charger front end on it , wouldn`t that be kick a$$ !?

 

[Penstarpurist]

Sounds like I should shelf the drivetrain swap idea for another project and just get the hemi wagon to drive and enjoy. Maybe do some mild upgrades to it as time allows.

 

[gunbunny]

I have an 06 Magnum and I love it. It's a 3.5 and has plenty of power.
There is a guy here in Cincy that has a carb 340 stuffed into a Magnum. I spoke with him, he claims it wasn't that tough and everything works the way it's supposed to.

 

[Penstarpurist]

I have an 06 Magnum and I love it. It's a 3.5 and has plenty of power.
There is a guy here in Cincy that has a carb 340 stuffed into a Magnum. I spoke with him, he claims it wasn't that tough and everything works the way it's supposed to.

Really? Maybe I need to give it more thought and research on this. And maybe I need a factory hemi one and a carb 360 one. Lol. Well maybe not both, but seriously I may need to do my due diligence and research more the carb one. As they are cheap as heck around here for non running or poor running ones. Thanks for the info.