86 w150 318 performance ???'s

[86PowerRamSC]

Hey guys and gals!! New to the site. Just found a 1986 dodge 4x4 royal se model. Love the truck, just rolled 100k when I bought. Not bad for 21 years old. 22 now! Anyways, I have been tuning up and tweaking the 318 to get it running smooth. Found a few vacuum lines unhooked on the carb. Replaced the fuel filter and got it running somewhat for now. I am not a person to leave it stock. I was looking up some parts, but wanted some opinions.

I was thinking about an Edelbrock performer intake and try and use the new holley truck avenger 670 4bbl carb for a little off road use. I think I also need to upgrade the distributor with the mopar performance electronic kit. Probably some new plugs and plug wires at the same time and just for fun, a set of headers since the truck already has true dual exhaust. :rck:

Am I going in the right direction to make a decent horsepower daily driver??? :help:

[threetwos]

Just dont overdo it with the mods. Make the headers 1 5/8 max,(I dont think you can get em any bigger unless they are W-2 race headers), I use the 670 Holley trk. avenger on my 380/360 5.9 magnum crate motor in my 90 W-150 and love it, you want to increase the torque not diminish it so no big cams or single plane intakes. Sounds like a great plan to help with the power at lower rpm's. I also use a K&N X-stream filter, it flows 360 and topside.

[86PowerRamSC]

AirFuelEddie, from one Hoosier to another thanks. I grew up in Seymour, IN. Do you recommend any particular headers or would just a cheap set from summit work??? Where can you get that K@N extreme filter. I don't think my stock air filter will fit around that 4bbl.

[threetwos]

AirFuelEddie, from one Hoosier to another thanks. I grew up in Seymour, IN. Do you recommend any particular headers or would just a cheap set from summit work??? Where can you get that K@N extreme filter. I don't think my stock air filter will fit around that 4bbl. Seymour, oh yeah I used to party in that area many years and beers ago!LOL, :rck: seriously, any brand header is going to be the long tube small diameter 1 5/8 thin wall type, example BlackJack from www.summitracing.com has em so does jegs and maybe mancini. Just make sure you get quality gaskets because there are only 2 bolts per flange and they are thin not the beefy 3/8 or 1/2 flanges available for the magnum guys. I wish I knew if the Magnum headers in shorty style would fit our trucks. If so I would use/recommend them. They are shorty and give up a little in high rpm power but so what, they are very thick, dont resonate as bad and sound 'tingy' like the Hookers I have,(during the mid 90's they cost 389.00!!), there were very few selections, and I trusted the Hookers cause I ran em in the 70's but there are much better selections today. The air filter disregard, just make sure it's clean, not a whole lotta gain there unless it's a restrictive design, trucks usually arent. :D BTW, ever party in B-Town or Hanover,(Girls college) :rck:

[Tavenner13]

Am I going in the right direction to make a decent horsepower daily driver??? :help:

In a daily driver you shouldn't worry about horsepower. Torque is the name of the game on the street. Like a member already said, don't get too crazy on camshaft selection or headers. You want to keep your power in the low to mid range, where you will be 90% of the time.

Just start off with the normal power adders (intake, exhaust, cam, carb, rockers, etc.)

With a few mods you can easily put down 325-350 HP and 380-400 ft-lbs of torque at the rear wheels on a 5.9. Just do your research before any mods to make sure you get what you really want out of them.

[Speed Dragon]

I wish I knew if the Magnum headers in shorty style would fit our trucks.

I have some 302 heads in the shop and a pair of Magnum manifolds off a truck, I'll see if they fit later today while I'm out there messing around.

[86_custom]

I'm pretty sure the Magnum manifolds work on pre-mag heads not 100% though

[Speed Dragon]

They fit, I just tried my stock Magnum pass truck mani on a 302 head, fits fine. I'll post pics in a bit.

[Speed Dragon]

Here are the pics. You'd have to get new studs/bolts for the ends, the old ones aren't near long enough.