A Winter Project

Last weeks national news showed hundreds of now flood damaged cars and trucks in salvage pools headed to auction being held in Baytown TX. I love the third gen. look and style, but TW is full of unhappy owners disappointed in there trucks performance, myself included.
In storage I have a Chevrolet 350 V8 with 8.5 compression from a totaled Monty Carlo SS
My thinking is to go to a Marine Cam (very high torque and smooth idle ) coupled to the Hydromatic MD8 (aka 700R4) trans. Discard the Lame Tacoma V6 and 6sp auto trans. fit modern Fuel injection, (I can program it to pass State inspection) adding a cateletic converter. Imagine, smooth progressive acceleration from 600 to 6500 RPM I estimate 300 HP and at least 350 Lbs. Torque. With the stock 3.91 rear end. Will it fit, I got to measure, can I adapt the P/S, Power brakes and air conditioner. Time will tell, I am going to auction this week.
Open to Ideas and suggestions.

 

Cool idea, I'm thinking the rest of the driveline will need serious beefing up (read - replacement) in order for it to not resemble a twist-tie!

 

I'll be interested in seeing this progress.

 

Isn't the Taco 278 HPs? Sounds like a lot of work for 22 more Horses. But it is almost 85 more torque....

That's also a lot of weight for the front end, going to the heavier V8

Would anyone suggest a Toyota Diesel engine?

 

I would say the entire stock 4WD system would be useless anyway, since it's heavily integrated into the Taco's electronics. Either way, the T-Case is not divorced from the trans so that would have to go.

 

I am not interested in 4WD, but solid reliable predictable drivability. Stock looks Mall Crawler with V8 rumble.
Any body know the net weight of the Taco Engine and Trans. combination.

 

Subbed to see what you come up with! Sounds like you could make one hell of a sleeper.. well sort of.. even though its going to rumble from that v8! Would still be sweet!

 

I don’t know, but I’m waiting for pictures!!

 

The electrical will be a mess for swap over plus the bits for interior probably swamped etc.

 

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a13117952/hellcrate-dodge-hellcat-crate-engine-info-pricing/

 

That is badass, i would love to bolt that into an old dodge.

 

That will be a cool project. I think you can strike reliability off the list though. Good luck and have fun with it!

 

Checkout jberrys build, he is putting a V8 in the Turd gen

 

Fixed. That thread is borderline a waste of time. Which is too bad. Such potential.