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Steve
Dodge Dakota
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1/05/2003
10:46:43
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 Subject: need performance tips
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Well here 's the deal. I have a 2002 3.9 and it is a pig in the low end. I wanted to maybe add some air management stuff and maybe a few other minor details, such as: throttle body, K & M cold air intake ( I've got a K & M drop in now), Jet Performance chip or module(whats the difference?) 180 T-Stat. Got any comments or suggestion. Need speed wish I got the 4.7.
2002 Quad Cab 3.9, drop in K&M filter,3.92 axle, 2 1/2 Gibson dual split cat back exhaust w/ bassani 70 degree down spouts(stainless)Looks mean.
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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1/05/2003
20:50:48
|  RE: need performance tips
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Wow, does this ever sound familiar. I've also got a 2002 3.9. It's a RC 4x2 Sport+ automatic. I wouldn't call it a pig, though...more like a slug. As slow as my RC is, I can only offer you guys with 3.9 QC's my sincere condolences.
First thing I did to mine was install a Magnaflow stainless muffler...immediate ricer sound, no perceived difference in performance. Switched that out for a Dynomax #17748 Super Turbo...quieter ricer sound, but getting louder. Next up was a set of JBA headers...still no perceived performance change. Now, I've got an F&B 48mm throttle body and an Intense Performance intake on it, and I still can't tell any difference from stock. I've concluded that my senses are either paralyzed, or I'm suffering from short term memory loss. All I know is, when I punch the throttle at anything more than a rolling stop, I get instant, incredibly S-L-O-W acceleration. I've got new 1.7 RR's and MSD wires waiting to go on, but right now, I'm wondering what's the point?
I may just skip the effort and put the stock parts back on...no more V6's for me...sorry, I don't have much positive reinforcement to give you, but maybe I can give you the benefit of my experience, so you won't waste money on disappointing mods, especially on a QC.
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Steve
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2003
13:03:12
|  RE: need performance tips
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Thanks for the heads up. I hate to have to waste money.
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woody
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2003
14:08:43
| RE: need performance tips
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Hey steve,
Try a flomaster with turndowns right after the muffler. I heard a dakota with the 3.9 and this setup and I thought it was a 5.2 just by the sound. I am not sure about performance on the 3.9. I did this setup on my 4.7 and I felt like I lost a little power around 1500RPM but I got a little extra around 5000RPM. My truck also sounds like I got a large V-8 from the exhaust. Hope that helps.
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2003
14:46:13
| RE: need performance tips
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Why, would you
EVEN be thinking about your acceleration, with a fairly heavy midsize truck, powered by a V-6?
I'm definitely not flaming here. But why would you be concerned? It's not a DOHC 24V engine- that'd do well.
And why do all these people think for one minute that, on a relatively stock motor, that modding the exhaust in any way, shape, or form, is going to INCREASE power? Do you know something more than all the R&D done before it went into production don't?-I doubt it.
And a v-6, @~175 HP, at the crank, probalby an auto no less, and you wonder why it won't accellerate worth beans?
At least Pistel pete here is honest about the lack of gains from various mods.
PS-the 4.7 gets better MPG to boot
No name calling here, have a nice day.
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woody
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2003
15:36:18
| RE: need performance tips
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Hey Texas Todd,
Changing the exhaust can cause your engine to increase or decrease a little bit of power. On smaller engines, the power change may not be noticeable , but on my 4.7 I could feel a little bit of change. Like I said, I lost a little low-end power but gained a little top-end.
Also do not forget the when the engines are designed, the exhaust is made a little restrictive so the exhaust noise is very low because most people do not care for a loud exhaust. Also, I know that a load exhaust does not mean better performance but that is why it is good to get opinions about different products before using them.
I do think the exhausts that are put on Hondas are worthless.
I do have to agree with you about gas mileage, my 4.7 averages between 18mpg and 19mpg. Not bad for a V-8 truck.
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Dr. D
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2003
17:03:08
| RE: need performance tips
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If V-6's are so worthless then why does my 4.3 litre V-6 Cheby have more balls than my 4.7 Dodge Dakota that weighs much less??
And yes, they are geared the same.
Dr. D
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AL8P
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2003
17:46:19
| RE: need performance tips
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Hey Todd,
I thought you were going to suggest removing the clutch/fan. That seems to be your response to every other post. LOL But seriously, do you (YOU being an expert on fan/clutch removal) recomend doing this "upgrade" on a 4wd 4.7 cc?
V6ers,
I thought about buying a v6 because I dont care about horsepower and track times. Tell you the truth I drove a full size chevy for 7 years before I bought this Dakota and I never bought one upgrade and never got one single speeding ticket hehe. My point is, Just because all these guys on here blow money on engine upgrades and garbage, that doesnt make their trucks any better than yours is. They will end up getting in more trouble than most of the safe drivers out there. Use your truck for what it was meant. If you wanted a drag-racer, you surely wouldn't have been shopping at the Dodge Truck dealership.
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DAHEMIKOTA
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2003
21:35:19
| RE: need performance tips
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Air + Fuel = HP The engine is just a converter.The bigger the engine,the more air and fuel...more power. Unless.....NOS or Supercharger makes a little engine think it is big. NOS is nice because it is easy to install compared to a supercharger or turbo. Want to kick a$$ push the button. Amen
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2003
08:41:30
| RE: need performance tips
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AL8P,
Gooodddd MMmoorrrnnnniiinnnnggggg!
I, like you, have spent VERY LITTLE money on my 4.7. I have a quad, and DON'T run the 1/4, 1/8th, or get speeding tickets. The few mods I've done, that actually did something cost nothing, or very little.
The best bang for the buck, on a stock 4.7, is the HO cams for $120 shipped to your door.
Do tell why you wouldn't remove your belt fan on a 4WD CC. My Quad has it off, I live in a hot climate, but oh, no 4WD. Only Trailer towing, I tow my catamaran sailboat, while most are in the snow(lots of fun sports there), I'm sailing in nice weather in Galveston Bay.
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2003
08:45:19
| RE: need performance tips
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Oh, Almost forgot, I have nothing against any V-6. My wifes Mazda Protege, has a 1.5L engine, good thing it's a 5speed, and runs great-stock.
I was just ranting off the wall about why they were that concerned with any lack of accelleration on a quad, with a v-6.
Didn't mean to get anyone riled.
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2003
12:32:53
| RE: need performance tips
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There are some good points being made here, as long as everyone remains polite. Perhaps, a little bit of qualification is in order...the 3.9 Dodge Magnum is the most recent version of a V6 made from a very OLD engine design. As you can tell from its rating of only 175 HP, it's not meant to be a HP maker, and maybe someone in Dodge's marketing dept. should be tarred and feathered for hanging a name like "magnum" on it, which infers big and powerful. The new 3.7 makes 215 HP, I think...the 3.3 V6 that I had in my '97 Intrepid ran like a scalded dog, and the V6 that's in my wife's Isuzu Rodeo is a great engine, and will run rings around my Dak, and it's rated at 200 HP. I thought that I could get some noticeable improvements out of this old 3.9, especially since I have a RC, and I believed some of the hype that I read, so I decided to give it a shot...didn't work out that way, IMO. So, I guess we should be saying that not ALL V6's are dogs, just this particular V6, and putting it in a large, heavy truck like a QC 4x4 only adds insult to injury...and that's my .02.
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Steve
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2003
12:33:54
| RE: need performance tips
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Texas Todd keep your opions to your self remember your from Texas
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Deep Purple
Gen III
1/07/2003
13:14:04
| RE: need performance tips
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The problem of no acceleration may be linked to the trans not shifting down or too high a gear in it. I have similar mods to my truck and seem to do fine. It's not a sports car, and never will be, but it's what I've got. You either deal with it or trade it off. It's a challenge to develop performance from these engines. Some people aren't up to the task. I would like to have a 4.7 but I am very pleased with the gains I've made with mine. Knocking the V6 won't help anything. Appreciate what others have done with the motor they had to work with, V6 or V8. That is the spirit of this forum.
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AL8D
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2003
16:27:31
| RE: need performance tips
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Todd,
That was an honest question and the reason I asked is because engines run hotter when they are in 4x4 mode. I used to do a lot of plowing with 4x4 pickups and there is a serious risk of overheating if you arent watching the temp gauge. When driving I noticed that if my plow was raised all the way up (during comute) it would block some of the air flowing to the radiator and this alone would cause my truck to overheat Even on very cold days.. As soon as I adjust the plow (by lowering it) I could see the Temp begin to drop. I would never even consider putting a plow on a Dakota, But I would be afraid to remove the fan and drive in 4x4.
Sorry my post was kinda blunt, guess I was feeling onery that day. I am not an expert by any means, I just enjoy reading what EVERYBODY has to say. cya, AL
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Brad
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2003
17:16:51
| RE: need performance tips
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Hey Steve,
The 1.7 RR's "should" help quite a bit. Made a huge difference on my 5.2L V8. Make sure you don't go too big on the exhaust. Going too big will hurt your torque. Also, do you have the 3.92 gears? This will help some, not all, of the off line bog those 3.9L's are famous for. Unfortunately, I still think the best option would be the V8. That V6 works way too hard in a quad cab. It is a 4500 lbs truck after all.
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BlkDakDave
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2003
23:58:48
| RE: need performance tips
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After driving 4 Chevy S-10 zr2 with the 4.2 over the years and then purchasing my first Dakota 4x4 club cab 3.9 with a fiberglass cap and 31x10.5 there was a difference and dissapointment.BUT the looks and size kept my heart true. To cure my need for speed I put in a JET module, a K&N cone filter with 3" tubing back to my top hat and used mid and sometimes premium gas with synthetic oil for the crank. I could feel and hear a difference with greater throttle response. I now have a 4.7 Quad 4x4 w/fiberglass and a drop in K&N. You know what? I wish I had gotten the 5.9. Oh well. Remember it's not how fast you drive it's how your Dakota looks driving.
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Texas Todd
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2003
10:26:47
| RE: need performance tips
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Dave,
Try the HO cams, best bang for the buck. Last I know, and mine were, about $120 shipped to your door. There's lot's of good directions online. They're still stock cams, but more HP and TQ than the reg 4.7's cams.
Also, you may have had the 'death flash'-that retards timing to eliminate pinging, and takes away performance.
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