89 360 in a shelby dakota

[shelby340]

Hey guys, I just picked up an '89 360 roller motor with 47,xxx miles on it for $400. Plus a set of free chrome valve covers. Three of the cylinders registered 120 PSI and one came up with 150 PSI when doing a compression check. I think the 120 is more correct as I know these motors are only about 8.5:1 compression but why the one with 150 PSI?
Anyway, I was thinking of putting this in my Shelby Dakota which has one of the 30hp computers and TBI on it. I would add a hotter cam about the size of a stock 340 cam to this motor and bring up the compression some but my question is will I run too lean in the higher RPM's because of the extra cubes...or will the computer compensate? Any thoughts on what kind of power this will make? Do you think I should just convert to a carburetor? What steps does that entail? Thanks for your advise.

[jimbo7074]

From what I have read it would run lean,because your system is a speed density type.It has know way of knowing the upgrades you have performed.If it was a mass airflow type, it probably could work if the injectors could keep up with the 360's fuel requirement.If you could get larger injectors and a reprogrammed computer,I'm sure it would work OK.

[Hammer 74]

You can not put an older 340 cam into a 360 Magnum motor. There are only 2 or 3 cams that Mopar sells for a Magnum since it is a roller cam. It will run lean going from a 318 to a 360 like jimbo7074 says.

[BILL THOMPSON]

We just did this but with a 340 in a dak convertible it works great,we installed the injection + put a 360 computer off of a full size van the wiring was identical just plugged in.I don't know what changes were made to the shelbys but if you get a wiring diagraphm for the shelby + the dodge van if all wires line up in the same hole it should work.the intake + throttle body are the same.

[shelby340]

Say Bill, What are the specs of that 340? Does it run rich at idle and lean at WOT? I can head back to the junkyard and get the computer still if that will work. Thanks, Rob

[BILL THOMPSON]

The truck runs like a dream it idles great the only time you even know it's not supposed to be their is at dead cold it has a stumble for about 2 seconds then it's just like new.the 340 is stock 10.5:1.the guys wife drives it all the time it's a super sweet truck.I was told by the owner that it runs out of steam at about 140-150 KM per hour or about 100 miles an hour but with 3.55 gears and 26" tall tires it's reving 3000 rpm at 60 miles per hour so I think it's his rev limiter but it sure gets there fast.

[shelby340]

Thanks, Bill. I appreciate it.

[BILL THOMPSON]

anytime shelby 340 if you have any problems or question just ask for me by name so I don't go by it.that truck should fly.

[shelby340]

Bill, how do I ask for you by name? I'm new here. I do have some more questions for you. I didn't mention it but I also have a 1989 Dakota LE 4X4 5-spd. I thought about putting the 360 in there. What did you use for an oil pan? Did you use the stock crossmember and mounts? Or a secondary crossmember? Did you have to move the transmission back and shorten the driveshaft? What about firewall clearance? Now you really have me thinking...I can't even sleep.

[BILL THOMPSON]

the older dakotas 89 + back you have to move the mounts ahead by makeing mounting plates for the original mounts about the width of the mount forward but in either cases the trany as long as it is a 3.9 trany doesn't have to move.use a rear sump truck pan you can get them right through chrysler from their performance division don't order it for a factory install for some reason it costs more even though it is the same thing.The only thing you may have to do in the fire wall department is put a 3 piece passing gear in instead of a one piece.to get a hold of me just write my name were you title your posts.I will see it I will try to find a picture of one of the trucks we have done to show you the mount plates but they are really simple just bolt the stock mounts to the motor and the frame ones then hook the trany to the motor in the truck + were they land is were the mounts have to go just check clearence on the rad + fan a 4 blade straight fan with a 1 " spacer usually works.

1939 dodge coupe 383 supercharged
1981 dodge challenger 340 2 stages NOS
1987 dodge dakota
1991 dodge spirit