'93 Sport project...

[GregZ]

I've been planning this project for quite a while now. Early this spring I bought a '93 Dakota with plans of installing a big block. Since I wasn't ready to get started on the project right away, I used the truck to get around town until about 3 weeks ago... The 3.9L has had a rod knock the whole time I've owned the truck. It got really loud after a 4,800 rpm shift and then i noticed that it had no oil pressure :eek: , so I just kept driving a few miles to limp it back to the house. I stopped off at a store on the way and when I started it back up the oil pressure came back... then went away... then came back. Luckily I made it home without seizing it or grenading it. Since then I've only used it in the yard to move some things like the plywood we put up for the hurricane... This afternoon I was bored and started looking things over. I figured I'd pull the engine sometime later this week so I started draining the fluids and removing the radiator... next thing I know a little over 2 hours later it's out... I still have to pull the trans though. At this rate, I'll have the 440 mocked up in there tommorow afternoon... Here's a few pics...

before
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/enginein.jpg

after
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/engineout.jpg

the 193,000 mile knocking wonder
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/39liter.jpg

hmmmm....
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/440efi.jpg

[KREWZER]

that V6 looks so little hanign there...and whats up with the black stuff all around the mounts?

[GregZ]

I'm not sure what you are asking about ? The flash makes the picture of the empty engine bay look a bit different than it looks in person. It's kinda of greasy around the rack and the crossmember. Just look at all the grime on the bellhousing.

The v-6 looks extra small- the camera was only about 2 feet from the engine- I had the lens set to wide angle so it's a little fish-eyed.

[chester_peabody]

I'm sure you won't be needing all that 5spd stuff, so how bout you fix up a fellow gen 2er and price me the flywheel, clutch pedal, slave and master cyls, and trans. I'm getting rid of the auto in my 1992 so you're welcome to any parts I'd be throwing away in the process (brake pedal, steering column)

[GregZ]

I was planning on selling some of the parts , so maybe we can trade some of the parts, and som... I wouldn't mind having the auto brake pedal set up.... send me an e-mail and we can discuss it. GregZ@MagnumHP.com


Oh yeah, I made a bit more progress today...
:banana2:
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/test1.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/test2.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/test3.jpg

[KREWZER]

looks good, that shit is gonna be ridiculous... :biggthump

[GregZ]

It's going to be fun for sure... even more so if i end up putting turbos on it .

I was just eyeballing where the header will need to be routed and it's looking as if it won't be as difficult as I initially thought.

[Ben]

Looks like it is going to be a cool truck when it's done. Keep us posted on the progress.

[GregZ]

More mock up work...
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/images/centerline.jpg

[realdeal7369]

I was planning on selling some of the parts , so maybe we can trade some of the parts, and som... I wouldn't mind having the auto brake pedal set up.... send me an e-mail and we can discuss it. GregZ@MagnumHP.com


Oh yeah, I made a bit more progress today...
:banana2:
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/test1.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/test2.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/test3.jpg

LIKE A GLOVE BABY..W :biggthump :banana2: :drive: OOHOO!

[Ace]

dude thats pretty awsome, i :clap2: you, where did u get that BB from?

[GregZ]

The one I'm doing the mock with is a bare 440 that I use to display parts at show. It's got no internals, the trans is just an empy case too. I got the engine I'm going to actually use from a buddy of mine.

http://www.bigblockscamp.com/newsignature.jpg

[chester_peabody]

I'd be going the same route it money weren't an option.

[GregZ]

I've got the mock-up brackets made, and I also created the CAD drawings for the bracket pieces. If things go right next week, I may actual have the first set of finished brackets installed. Then the headers will be next. I am also going to test fit a set of HP exhaust manifolds as an option to the headers.

[GregZ]

The driver's side mount bracket is all finished. I needed to make some adjsutments to the CAD drawing for the passenger side. After that, the trans mount adapter is next.

[FuryUs]

where's the pics?

[GregZ]

I'll post pics as soon as I've got both sides finished and available. The shop cutting the parts from my drawing is closed until Jan 3rd :rant:

[GregZ]

Here is a few pics of the first set of mounts. I'm still working on the trans mount. I am hoping to have kits ready to ship sometime in February.

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/driver.jpg
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/passenger.jpg
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/transmount.jpg

[Awyseguy]

How the progress going?? Looking good so far. I was going to use a 413 to replace my 2.5L .. but getting a 3.9L for free sort of adjusted my priorities.
Do you still have your 3.9L laying around?

[GregZ]

Yesterday , 4/01/06, I tack welded 9 sets of brackets. I'll finish welding them this week. After that, I'll be making some big progress. I have to rebuild the 727, assemble the 440 and install both. After that I have to build the headers. The hook up the rest of the stuff, like the EFI and AC and PS.

My old 3.9L is laying on the shop floor. I'll probably end up using for mock up purposes for Magnum negine products.

[Awyseguy]

Yesterday , 4/01/06, I tack welded 9 sets of brackets. I'll finish welding them this week. After that, I'll be making some big progress. I have to rebuild the 727, assemble the 440 and install both. After that I have to build the headers. The hook up the rest of the stuff, like the EFI and AC and PS.

My old 3.9L is laying on the shop floor. I'll probably end up using for mock up purposes for Magnum negine products.

Could you spare the lower crank pulley? Mine came from a wrecked truck, and I couldn't fully straighten it. Even working at a dealership.. I'm not about to buy a new one. I need a water pump as well.. but that I'll probably get new.

[GregZ]

I actually need the lower pulley for creating a serpentine system on the 440. sorry !

[Awyseguy]

We had a 5.9L at work a couple of weeks ago.. But that was a different one. Or I'd have already had one. I'll keep an eye out. The local JY's keep wantign to sell it with the balancer.. and I don't want to pay that added price. I just need to get it so it will let me keep the serpentine intact.

[GregZ]

Here are some pics of the trans mount adpaters and engine adapter tack welded. I need to add the reenforcement gussets and finish welding them.

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/trans02.jpg
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/tacked.jpg

Here's the bare block painted

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/dakotablock.jpg

[Beast_Ram]

you are going to have one sic truck after you finish it off

[446Kota]

How ya doin Greg? I got my brackets blasted and in primer. I'm waiting to get my engine back. Hopefully by the end of this month. Have you started on the headers yet? These brackets fit AWESOME. Nice and snug. I was thinking about lookin for a manual steering rack. I may do that tomorrow..

[Awyseguy]

How ya doin Greg? I got my brackets blasted and in primer. I'm waiting to get my engine back. Hopefully by the end of this month. Have you started on the headers yet? These brackets fit AWESOME. Nice and snug. I was thinking about lookin for a manual steering rack. I may do that tomorrow..
That's easy to find.. There's on sitting out back from my truck being converted to a power rack.
Aaron

[GregZ]

Here's some of the parts for the truck.... FAST fuel injection ECU and harness, Edelbrock heads, a new Melling oil pump, ARP main bolts, Comp hydraulic lifters, a B&M transkit, B&M deep cast aluminum pan, B&M shifter, B&M flexplate, Milodon windage tray, and Speed Pro rod bearings.





http://www.bigblockdakota.com/partspile.jpg

[GregZ]

I've been slowly making some progress.
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/efi03.jpg
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/efi04.jpg

[WUWU20]

I've been slowly making some progress.
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/efi03.jpg
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/efi04.jpg

Ol Shit!! thats a bad ass looking brut!! :bow:

[Sneezer]

Very nice man! Keep it up.

[GregZ]

I started working on the headers for my big block Dakota project and made a good amount of progress in a few hours. These are 1 7/8" pipes and it looks like 2" would be OK too. 1 3/4" would be easy.

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes01.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes02.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes03.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes05.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes06.jpg

[realdeal7369]

Could you spare the lower crank pulley? Mine came from a wrecked truck, and I couldn't fully straighten it. Even working at a dealership.. I'm not about to buy a new one. I need a water pump as well.. but that I'll probably get new.

i think i have what your looking for. i have the water pump too. its off a 318 but it will work. they are all the same anyways. pm me.

[GregZ]

I finished fitting all of the primary pipes. Now I just need to get the collectors, reducers and flanges.

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes21.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes22.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes23.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes24.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes25.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes26.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes27.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pipes28.jpg

[Beater Truck]

Looks great so far. What are the chances of you making mounts for genIII ?

[hwystar]

Here is a few pics of the first set of mounts. I'm still working on the trans mount. I am hoping to have kits ready to ship sometime in February.

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/driver.jpg
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/passenger.jpg
http://www.bigblockdakota.com/transmount.jpg
I am not an engineer or a welder but I forsee large problems when that big bitch starts to torque over hard. Just my opinion :sorry: Hwystar

[GregZ]

I am not an engineer or a welder but I forsee large problems when that big bitch starts to torque over hard. Just my opinion :sorry: Hwystar


Don't forget, what you are seeing are mock up mounts, not finshed mounts with all of the gussets installed. Trust me, it ain't going anywhere. I designed and built these to withstand anything I would want to bolt in... including adding twin turbos. The urethane inserts in the mounts won't allow for much if any movement. The brackets are made out of plate that is twice as thick as any stock mount.

Here you can see some of the gusseting. This is in a customer's truck. His 440 should be making 500+ hp.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid208/p63e1c62564e76e825642df18aefbb8f8/ee5e0041.jpg

[GregZ]

Looks great so far. What are the chances of you making mounts for genIII ?

very likely after I finish this project. I am looking for a cheap gen III right now.

[GregZ]

The headers are done and installed . I am going to modify the trans crossmember for extra clearance for the dual exhaust. The prototype master cylinder brake booster eliminator adapter is finshed too :

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/images/headers01.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/images/headers02.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/images/headers03.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/images/headers04.jpg

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/nobooster.jpg

[Zac]

What is invloved in the wiring aspect of the swap. Im planning to put either a 400 or 440 in my 93 dakota this winter. ON my old 91 I was told i could keep my computer to run most of the guages and existing wiring and just bypass the ASD when i had planned to switch to carb. Would it be the same idea with a magnum? Thanks

[GregZ]

You don't need the computer to run the guages, they feed directly from the sensor into the dash. I'm using FAST EFi so I stripped out 95% of the wireing from the engine harness because i won't be using any of it. You WILL need a copy of the the service manual so you can determine what you need to leave and what you can remove. There are two square connectors near the computer that the engine harness snaps into. I only have a couple of wires going to each connector and I removed the rest.

[Zac]

ok thanks. Are you building more sets of headers?

[GregZ]

I'm not sure if I'll be making more headers or not. I'll need a second truck to use as a jig if I do.

[GregZ]

I'm getting closer to starting this thing up.

Here the PCV connection. It may pull too much oil through it , but I want to try it. I don't want fittings in the valve covers, if possible. The PCV valve will be behind the plenum, in a hose which will connect to the back of the plenum.

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/pcv.jpg

Here's how the IAC gets clean air. I drilled the boss in the center of the throttle body. It connected to a passage that came out the bottom where the line is connected.

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/iac1.jpg

And here's the IAC motor mounted at the rear of the intake manifold.

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/iac2.jpg

[dakman]

Very nice work, excellent job on the headers. :clap2:

[ucimaplaya2]

it looks like you are getting close... :woot:

[70Cuda383]

very nice Greg! I know we had talked earlier about me loaning you my truck to use to mock up mounts for the GenIIIs. the cost of me sending my truck to you in Florida and back would be pricey, and, I need to get jump started on my project now--since I broke it!

I'd be more than happy to share notes/info with you though, for when you go to do a GenIII kit to sell.

Not sure what I would have to offer though, you're probably a much better fabricator and mechanic than I am. I've never done anything like this before, so I'll be learning as I go--and as we talked about earlier, I plan on keeping the manual trans, vs the 727--but I'll be using a TKO, instead of any factory trans.

I hope my truck looks as good as yours when I'm done!

[87DakBuilder]

Greg,

That is one hell of a job you are doing. I have a question about the intake, did you buy that, or fab that up as well. The system looks pretty sweet. Way to go and keep the pics coming please.


Jay

[GregZ]

Well, it's running and driving. Now it's time to start a LOT of tuning !

oh- the intake, like the mount kits and headers that will soon be available was custom made.

enjoy: http://www.bigblockdakota.com/440xfi.wmv

:drive:

[KREWZER]

awesome, looks like its not making enought tq though, lol :mullet: :mullet:

btw, that sound is super annoying :jester:

[GregZ]

If you want to try a better quality video, this one is 99MB, so it takes a looooooooooooooooong time to download.

http://www.bigblockdakota.com/xfidakota.mpg


The truck was shaking a lot because I had it on a lift with the wheels off the ground.

[87DakBuilder]

Great Job Greg,


Any chance we can get some vids of it in action, again you have accomplished a hell of a lot. Very Very nice work


Jay

[GregZ]

Once I have it tuned so it is more drivable I'll take some action video, complete with burnouts. It's hard enough to drive and glance at the laptop right now.

[slowr/t]

so you'll be making some more of then headers? if so what are they going to run? will 2inch primary's work or will they be to big? me and my dad are planning on putting a 413 max wedge in our 93 soon so im doing some research now. your project looks pretty good. cant wait to see the vid (DL'ing right now :banana2: )

[redakota]

you are my hero :bow: :bow:

[slowr/t]

few more questions. what trans and driveshaft did you use? what oil pan did you use? how much will those motor mounts go for?

TIA

Brian

[GregZ]

I used a modified truck oil pan and pick up. The driveshaft is the original but shortened and rebalanced. Send me an e-mail for pricing info on the kit GregZ@Magnumhp.com

[GregZ]

Just figured I'd update this thread... The website has been recently updated and will be changing frequently, so take a look: www.bigblockdakota.com

[wrkofrt]

Greg
Im glad you dug this up. I emailed you wednesday or thursday about my latest project. Thanks for the quick responce. I'll be doing this swap at some point in the near future.
I don't have any pics of my GenII, but I got it off another board member, he goes by WUWU20.

[EntreriDakota]

Very nice work. :drive: