This is from my a good friend (and old shop boss)...all he mainly dealt
with were Mopars.
>From: "Wayne Garrahan" <Viper-1997@worldnet.att.net>
>To: <bernd@texas.net>
>Subject: RE: Dodge Dart update: It runs!
>Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 08:33:42 -0700
>X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0)
>Importance: Normal
>
>No putting a late model motor and transmission into a Dart is not just a
>snap of the fingers... My suggestion First pick up the Mopar Performance
>Engine Transmission Catalog from your local friendly Dodge Dealer... That
>will help you immeasurably in this type of swap... My suggestion... buy the
>360 Crate Motor (300 or 360 HP) forget about modern motor with its smog
>devices and complicated computer systems... Since your Dart has the V-8
>X-Member then you only need the Left Hand motor mount bracket from an older
>340 car... The later transmissions have different spacings such that
>EXTENSIVE cutting of the floor pan is required to make it fit... Not a
>desirable situation... You can use one of two transmissions a 999 or 727...
>The 999 is a 904 Variant but has a wider 2nd gear band and an extra 5th
>clutch in the direct drum of the transmission... The 727 will bolt in no
>problem other then you will need to shorten a drive shaft 4" over what your
>length is now and you need a 727 yoke **Larger diameter then 904** on the
>front of that new drive shaft... Back to the motor mount issue... I believe
>they are still available new from Mopar... If not I know someone who might
>be willing to part with a New Old Stock item... I happen also to be in the
>possession of an ULTRA RARE.. 440 X-Member, Factory Hi-Po Manifolds, Motor
>Mounts, etc to lower a BIG BLOCK into that Dart... Not cheap!... but hey
>they only made a handful back in 1969... And I have one of the few that
>remain... A Dart can provide you with wicked performance a 3000 lb car with
>a hot V-8 will pin you in the seat... providing you can actually hook up...
>Or if you just like doing Smokey burnouts then the Dart is absolutely a
>perfect choice... Last important bit of info... Torque converters are
>matched to the engine... meaning 360's are externally balanced and need a
>weighted converter or your car will have a horrific vibration problem...
>Perhaps you need to contact me further along your project path once you
>decide on an engine... Wayne
>
>
>Question: Is the 904 transmission in the early Dakota's the same
>as the 904 in the dart? Then, if so, swapping in a A-518 & '96
>magnum motor into the Dart should be a snap, right?? (I've found
>a theft recovery '96 short bed Dakota, missing the front clip/
>radiator-- engine/transmission/rearend complete).
>
>Sam '99 RT & 4x4 & old Dart
>
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