Thread: Dodge ram engine to valiant

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I'm trying to find out if you can take a small block realy 90's doge ram engine and put it into a 74 plymouth valiant. I've been wanting to do this some time but got out of working on cars for a while. Any ideas?

That's a pretty broad question, but conceptually, yes, it's an easy swap. If you're talking about either the 5.2 (318), or the 5.9 (360), they are both LA engines not unlike the 318's that were factory installed in the '74. If your's is a six you need to get the V8 mounting hardware.

Thanks for your help. I know it was broad, I'm still trying to find out information and I need to get a source for it so I started here. Thanks again.

I agree with Bob. To get a little more detailedthen this...
If your Valiant came with a slant 6 ( 225 ci) then you will have to change the "K" member in the front end. Go with one that is a factory V8 car. Don't forget to get the disk brakes as well. You can keep the factory shocks for the lowered look on the front end. Then get a hold of Schumacher Automotive Services for transmission and engine mounts for this swap. Next make sure you get ALL the electronics and sensors for the computers to work installed in the Valiant. Then start looking for a exhaust shop to fabricate a header to exhaust tip exhaust system. Valiants were statndard 225 slant 6 cars. So no real "basic" V8 exhaust system out there that I know of. Maybe some one else in here does. You will then need to start looking at the rear end. The new V8 will punish the weak 6 cyclinder rear end.
Looks like a lot of work, but not as much as some I have seen concerning conversions. Good Luckand keep us posted.
DCON426

Yes, my car is a /6 225. So you think the things I need to worry about are:
Factory V8 K member
Disc Brakes (I have them in the front, do i need them in the back?)
Schumacher Trans and eng. mounts
(I'll strip the ram of it's 'innards' before I leave the junk yard)
Fabricated header to exhaust tip exhaust system
Stock V8 rear end

Thanks a lot for your help, guys. And if you can think of anything else that I will need for this conversion, that would be great.

FYI-I just put an alarm on my car and I'm having a lot of fun with it. Not only is it an alarm but it also starts the car. I have power door locks and shaved door kits on the way as well and they will all tie into the alarm remote. The reason I'm doing the alarm and techy stuff before I get the engine is because for right now I have to drive this car. I'm planning on getting a new car, though, so I can work on the valiant and still have something to drive. Thanks again for all of your help!

You can keep the drum rear brakes. Just make sure you have power brakes! You will also need to look at your radiator. The stock thin one will be WAY to small for your new V8 engine. There is plenty of aftermarket companies that can help. If wanting to go the budget way...then pull one from a V8 dart and have it completly redone. That means, dipped, flushed, all soldering checked, flow checked and preasured checked BEFORE you install it.
Does your new engine/trans setup run and work? I would make sure of this first. Get everything ready to go and then dive into your project. But remeber..if you think it will take you 4 weeks to do this, count on 8 weeks. If you think it will cost so much money, then double it. Above everything else...take your time to do it right. If there is a question concerning anything then ask! There is no such thing as a dumb question and a question NOT asked could ruin everything you have worked for.
DCON

Thanks again! I don't have the engine yet because I'm trying to get into a new car before I get that part done. Hopefully I'll have the money before I get the new car to get a Dart and just strip it of everything. That will work right?

Anyway, thanks again and expect me to come back with questions within a few months.

I can help you get rid of that old slant if you want... I would be glad to take it off your hands. My son killed one of mine, and I am trying to get one to drop in that is working now...
good luck with the transplant, the car sounds pretty cool, can you send pics?

hey newpoppop, I'd be happy to get the /6 off to someone who could appreciate it. It's only got 103,000 on it so it's strong for a while. Send me an e-mail, jawless_2000@hotmail.com

Thanks for your help guys!

At least theres another mopar guy in here finally. Sounds pretty cool to put in a late model 318 or 360 out of a ram into a valiant. The only thing that would worry me would be if its an EFI motor and youd need to keep the computer for that.

I actually found a site that I can get a remanufactured 318 for just over 1k. I'm willing to pay that much. And I've gotten some ideas from people to make it pretty damn fast (faster than my slant) and still maintain 25mpg.

I would have waaaay too much work on my hands doing it the other way and I don't really want to deal with all that! I couldn't deal with it to tell you the truth!

Hey Tech,
He can keep the factory torsion bars as long as he is NOT flogging it hard down a strip all the time. With the slant 6 shocks and the torsion bar combo he will have a very good looking stance on the car. he wouldn't have the 3" of wheel opening above the tire as the factory look had.
If strip duty was intended, then I agree with you in the concern over them. He would have to install the bigger diameter ones and also change the rear supprts for them as well.

In the January issue of CAR CRAFT ( 2004) on page 34 they do a 400HP 318. And its affordable!! They also give you parts list, prices, and contact info to get this built!

Talk about a "screamer" in a valiant and a sleeper as well. Something that I would be interested in as well.
DCON