Engine Change up

20

Asked by Francine Oct 03, 2012 at 08:05 PM about the 1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

i have a 97 Dakota but i want to do some upgrades it is a v6 and i was thinking of having the engine switched to something newer and more powerful, what year make and model can i go to as for engine swapping ,? can i put in a v8 from a durango, or a 2000 or higher model Dakota ?  what about a dodge 1500 ? ect stuff like that i want to have the engine replaced because this v6 has a weird shimmy in the motor like its trying to stall but it wont, it still runs strong, it gets to 80mph then it will shimmy and chug a bit like its going to stall after 85 to 90 it will stop and pick up speed and drive normally after that , Ive changed the fuel pump that wasn't it i changed the spark plugs that wasent it , so i figure its either the oxygen sensor or a new engine is required

8 Answers

45

If your looking for something more powerful you can take a v8 out of a durango or dakota up to 2004 should bolt up. Just be careful you habe the 3.9 so the transmission from that will only bolt up to the 5.2L or 5.9L

2 people found this helpful.
135

be carefull with a 5.9 the tranny can handle it but the rt models had a difrent transmission

1 people found this helpful.
90

i have an 2000 dodge dakota 3.9 l engine i want to up grade to a stronger motor ,to a 5.2 l engine 318 what all do i have to do and what year of motor can change out to,thanks john

8 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 02 Dakota with the 4.7 put new motor in out of Durango same year an starts some time but won't stay running I was told I needed the computer form the Durango

1 people found this helpful.
20

I have a 1998 Dodge Dakota sport with the 318 4 x 4 automatic transmission and I also have a 98 Dodge Dakota which has a four- cylinder tool drive standard transmission I would like to take the motor out of the sport and put it into the 4 cylinders body is this possible and what modifications am I going to have to do if any of it’s only two going to be to arrive that would be fine with me as well I don’t need 4x4

2 people found this helpful.
10

The running gears on the 4 cylinder is a higher ratio and the struts and balljoints arnt designed to carry the extra weaght. You could do it however there would be some major work to be done

Your Answer:

Dakota

Looking for a Used Dakota in your area?

CarGurus has 484 nationwide Dakota listings starting at $625.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

1997 Dodge Dakota

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Samantha Brown
    Reputation
    3,150
  • #2
    98DAK
    Reputation
    3,130
  • #3
    havoc_33
    Reputation
    2,120
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Dodge RAM 1500
90 Great Deals out of 1,537 listings starting at $1,100
Used Ford F-150
6,024 Great Deals out of 128,250 listings starting at $1,100
Used Ford Ranger
551 Great Deals out of 10,966 listings starting at $1,250
Used Toyota Tacoma
1,906 Great Deals out of 30,714 listings starting at $3,500
Used Dodge Durango
757 Great Deals out of 20,429 listings starting at $550
Used Nissan Frontier
705 Great Deals out of 22,709 listings starting at $1,750
Used GMC Sierra 1500
1,881 Great Deals out of 64,535 listings starting at $3,000

Used Cars for Sale

2010 Dodge Dakota For Sale
28 listings starting at $4,995
2009 Dodge Dakota For Sale
11 listings starting at $8,650
2008 Dodge Dakota For Sale
38 listings starting at $4,000
2007 Dodge Dakota For Sale
5 Great Deals out of 48 listings starting at $2,400
2006 Dodge Dakota For Sale
3 Great Deals out of 75 listings starting at $2,999

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.