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dak04
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2004
11:31:40

Subject: performance ideas
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i am just curious if anyone isn't to busy to throw some ideas my way. i know you think this is a no brainer but any tips would be appreciated. i just want some ideas to add a little performance to my 04 dakota with the 4.7L . i don't want major work like a turbo charger lol just easier ways to add some performance. i can only think of a k&n kit. is there a chip out there? and what about exhaust wise ? thanks alot.



.boB
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2004
13:24:42

RE: performance ideas
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Here's the "problem". Your engine comes from the factory in pretty good form. It's tuned very well for a variety of conditions. Dodge has spent millions trying to make it as efficient as possible. A side effect of efficiency is good power. Look at how much power you get out of 290 cubic inches!!! 5-10 years ago a manufacturer didn't even come close to that.

So the question becomes how to improve on millions of dollars in engineering. It can be done, but it's tough. And it's expensive. An open element air cleaner may provide a small boost, but it's not much; and don't even start that K&N thing again. Cat back exhausts and after market ignitions don't add any power at all. Chips and tuner boxes are not available yet. But when they are, be sure to get one. I used Hypertech and I'm very impressed.

The things that will add noticable power increases without killing your fuel mileage are limited and expensive. They may void portions of your warrenty, and they may not be smog legal.

A complete header exhaust system is good for 10-15 hp, and pretty close to $1,000. A bigger TB is only about $400, but I don't think they are available for your truck yet. A cam set would make a big improvement.

Your best bet is a lower rear gear ratio. I have 3.93's in mine, and it could even use a slightly lower gear. It's relativly cheap, and won't affect your warrenty or drivability at all.

Best bang for the buck is still a blower.



deerridge
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3/18/2004
13:26:10

RE: performance ideas
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www.krcperformance.com, www.kennebell.net, both have most of the easy power up options. Fastman throttle bodies and Intense Performance intakes are a couple more. Various combinations can give you 10 to 75 RWHP increases in 10 hp increments.

Real Horsepower

EBL
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2004
13:33:00

RE: performance ideas
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Dodge also wants to save $10 as much as possible. If that means bottlenecking the exhaust a bit, so be it.



bob is dumb
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2004
13:33:14

RE: performance ideas
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They do make chips, throttle bodies, and many other upgrades for your truck! The 4.7 has been in daks since 2000, thats five years in the aftermarket industry! A throttle body is a good choice, headers and exhaust is also good, so bob is not completely wrong. You could get a jet pcm, but they suck, so dont waste your money! If you want cheap hp with no major modification, buy nitrous! not harmful if you dont use too much, cheap, and easy to install! If you dont like that idea get a custom pcm flash, this can be done at b+g chrysler, or krcperformance.com Krc can get you all sorts of other parts too, tb's, headers, exhaust, cams, shift kits, gear sets, everything you want! check out their website, they know what they are doing!



jaggy
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3/18/2004
16:00:24

RE: performance ideas
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I think .boB was pretty close to the mark.

I have done the cams, gears (4.10), airintake (360), cat back exhaust (flowmaster 40 and 3" pipe).

I suppose if I added them all at once (exept the gears) I would have notice something. They were good for the sound but not a lot of performance.
I would suggest staying away from the chips as our PCM's tend to learn to compesate for them and take it back to stock setup (maybe someday they will make a hypertech for the 4.7). A flash would be a better way to go but you should wait for all of your mods to get the most out of it. (cams, headers, exhaust, TB and so on.)

My best mod for performance was gears by far! Complete night and day difference. The cams were cheap and easy to do with some help from the good fellas on this board.

I have a 4X4 and gears were not cheap to do. If you are a 4X2 then you will really like the bang for your buck. I am really happy with the gears and would go to 4.56 if I were to do it again.
It not only increased my performance but also increased my mileage. (5 speep manual.)

My suggestion would be start with known working mods and stay away from the gimicks.
Keep in mind that your mods will tend to work together to help increas HP, a 180 thermostat will not give you HP but allow other things to work better. More cool air in less restiction out will help other mods work better as well.
So if you are only going to one mod make something good that you will be happy with, (gears, nos, S/C)otherwise plan on adding them up and finish with a PCM flash for those mods.

Hope this helps.



dak04
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2004
18:19:13

RE: performance ideas
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thanks for all your replies everyone. i think you guys on here are great and i am glad i stumbled on to this site.



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