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Dakota Performance
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2002
21:13:13

Subject: Need performance advice
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Hi and thanks in advance!

I've got a 2002 Dakota Quad Cab 5.9 4x4. I'd like to bump up the low to mid range. I'm not concerned about top end. I don't care about mileage. I'm looking for a little more torque on the bottom but I'm also looking for a little more crispness/responsiveness.

One day I might look at a supercharger but I don't want to drop that kind of money into it right now. What mods would you recommend for the type of power I'm looking for?

Thanks again,
Chris



Chris
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2002
21:16:43

RE: Need performance advice
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Oh, is anyone running a different torque converter? I'd consider one but it would have to be a good towing converter as well. I occasionally use the truck to tow a 5000lb trailer (rear end is 3.92).

-=Chris



kevster
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2002
21:54:21

RE: Need performance advice
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Not concerned about gas mileage, Hey I like you.. Try Lwr rear end gears.. Like 3;92 or 4;10 this will give more low end torque and grunt..



rtdkota
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2002
23:53:57

RE: Need performance advice
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Here's what I can tell ya-- A 5.9L, w/ 3.92 gearing should put you in the 200-205 hp range, w/270 or so ft. lbs. *(my stock 2000 RT w/3.92 & 5.9L did 204 hp & 268 tq). A set of Mopar headers was added and improved the low end grunt somewhat. I then added Crower 1.7 roller rocker arms, and the truck really pulled! I dyno'd it at 230 & 325 torque. That's a 26 hp & 55 tq. increase (I also had a K&N Gen II air intake as well-- The rockers FELT like they did the most). I went with a 50mm billet F&B throttle body after that and gained another 3 hp & 5 ft. lbs. (this was at 3000 rpm and above, the throttle response off idle was A LOT better, but couldn't show below 3000 rpm on the dyno due to automatic trans.) I have since gone to a 52mm, added another 5 hp, and 18 additional ft. lbs. of torque. That put me in the 240 hp range, and 345 ft. lbs. (other mods- flowmaster 40 series exhaust, MSD6a-- no increases from that, 3" in/out stock cat.) This setup matched the stock HP/Torque curve, just with higher numbers. My current configuration has a M1-4bbl manifold instead of the stock unit. Lost 26 ft. lbs. of torque, but gained another 16 rear wheel hp-- The torque loss numbers are PEAK loss of 16, but the entire torque and HP curve is a LOT broader, having higher peaks for both-- the trade off gives me a loss in the low end, but much better mid range and high end. A cam/heads will hopefully give back some low end, and take the high end up the scale a bit!

For a 4x4, the stock manifold would be best to give you the most torque. A set of shortie headers, the 1.7s, and a TB will be MY choice for a setup like yours. Gears are nice, but people forget-- you gotta do both front and rear on a 4x4, and that's pretty expensive (4.10s are the highest you get get in the front diff from what I remember-- I had a '99 4x4 5.2L)

If you need a source for some of these items, checkout my website-- www.socaldakota.com

Sam





MikeD
R/T
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5/07/2002
23:54:57

RE: Need performance advice
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Im running the 2400 Mopar Performance converter and I use it for speed but KRCPerformance says its great for towing, four wheeling all that. It'll definatley help you out in the torque department. A cam is also pretty cheap but its a pain in the ass to install (compared to a converter installation). Your call though.

~Mike~

'01 R/T
MP 2400 Stall, True Duals w/ Flowmaster 10 series, M-1 2bbl, F&B 52mm TB, Airaid, JBA headers, JBA 9mm wires, Kenne Bell Optimizer II, 180 t-stat, 3rd cat removed, Chrome R/T badges
Awating Intall: 2.02 Ported Magnum R/T Heads, Kammer Cam, 1.6 RR's

bernd
*GenIII*
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5/08/2002
00:49:38

RE: Need performance advice
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Chris: As RTDAKOTA (Sam) stated, 50mm throttle body, 1.7 roller rockers, shorty headers, and a decent performance muffler (pipes no larger than the single 2.5") will help out in the performance department. On the crispness, check and/or readjust your TPS sensor to approximately .7v and relocate the IAT sensor into the intake tube (those will help out on the crispness and throttle response). Are you planning on changing the tires (larger ones) at any point in time?

30-31" Tires: Recommend 3.90:1 Gears
32-33" Tires: Recommend 4.10:1 Gears
35-38" Tires: Recommend 4.56:1 Gears

Sam: You can run up to 4.56 gears in the 4x4's without changing the carrier in the 8.25" or 9.25" diffs.




1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged/Intercooled @ 10# w/Nitrous
14.55 @ 96.01mph

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