Post by 1998durangort on Feb 2, 2018 8:33:34 GMT -5
EDIT
Just read in another post this site is shutting down this month (Feb 2018), so I appreciate the work that went into it up til now and will continue to research my questions.
Semi-long intro post. I've owned my Durango (1998 SLT plus, 5.9 4WD) for almost 20 years- bought it when it was about 3. It has been a workhorse over the years and I've grown attached to it. It's my 2nd of three, and the only one left, the wife used it and the other two (1998 5.2 and 2001 R/T) before we sold them. One thing I don't like is the MPG, another is the lack of good brakes (currently using Hawk pads on slotted rotors). I had a 2009 Challenger R/T (5.7 Hemi) that got around 20 MPG, the Durango gets about 14 in 2WD mode (231 transfer case),and I've added big brakes to a 4th gen Trans Am. Within the last year, the trans is beginning to slip going into reverse. It has about 160K miles.
It had an oil leak and the shop I use said it looked like the intake and valve covers, so last week I got ambitious and pulled the intake. "While I was at it" I made a 1/4" aluminum plate for the bottom and installed it per some forum posts I read. I used some 5/16 studs to align the intake so the gaskets would not slip away. Replaced the VC gaskets also. Everything was good until I added coolant and heard it trickling out the rear of the engine. Even after jacking the truck I can't see where it is leaking.
What all this is leading up to is I'm considering an engine swap. In my search, I found this site. The LS series engine holds great appeal to me, since I have swapped:
An LM 7 5.3 iron block into a 1988 Supra
An L33 5.3 aluminum block into a 1988 RX-7 and a 1994 BMW wagon (overall bad experience)
I paid anywhere from $400 to $800 for these engines at local junkyards and they had 30-50K miles. I have sold all of the above vehicles.
I've also done 2 non-LS Chevy swaps:
An LT1 into a 1975 280Z
A gen 1 SBC into a 1984 RX-7
All of these were manual trans swaps. I have HP Tuners and can tune unlimited 1998 Gen 3 PCMs since they are not locked to the VIN. I have no problem rewiring harnesses, I usually make color diagrams to help out in doing so. I have all of the pinouts for the 1998 GM PCM and have downloaded some diagrams for my truck, plus I have the 1998 shop manual.
I've priced the Hemi engines and they are considerably more expensive than the Chevy ones.
The one Chevy swap I saw on a Dakota forum looked like a lot of work, and the part that was a killer for me involved notching the frame to mount the AC compressor. I'm in the south, so AC is a necessity. I had a similar problem on the BMW swap.
I've considered trying to sell the Durango and buying a newer one such as a 2003 that has better brakes and transmission, but I doubt I could get much for my truck as it is. Plus I have 17" R/T wheels and no stockers to replace them if I sell it. I've also researched other things like brakes and have a plan on adding some 13" Viper rotors and using less expensive Gen 3 Durango calipers. I'd also like to swap in a later model rack & pinion.
Here are my questions:
1. From reading another thread here, it looks like mounting adapters are available. I need to confirm this, and the cost. I'd probably plan on putting in an LQ4 6.0L Gen 3 Chevy and either a mating Chevy 4L60/80 or a newer Dodge 545RFE to replace my old 46RE.
2. Is there an alternative to notching the frame for AC use?
Thanks for any info.
