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Sparks81
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2003
14:24:52
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 Subject: Improving my 3.9
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They say there is no such thing as a dumb question, so here goes.....
I have a 01 CC with the 3.9, auto, all electric, (don't know what transmission and rear end), and it runs pretty well (averaging 17-19 mpg combined city/highway mileage). I really think it's a sharp truck and is comfortable.
What options are available if I want to increase the mileage and performance? I know I'll get replys that I should choose which is more important as I can have one or the other but not both.
I've done quite of bit of searching and have read about new air intakes, cold air intakes, new chips, gear ratios, etc. I don't want to spend a lot of money (benefit vs. cost is a factor), but so far I'm leaning towards the new air intake (suppose to increase mileage and low end performace in the $200 range).
Thanks for your help and comments.
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Todd W
GenIII
1/27/2003
14:53:25
|  RE: Improving my 3.9
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The air intake will help, you can actually make your own with parts from your local auto parts store and Home Depot. There are plenty of references to this on the board, just look for 'Homemade Intake' and you should find them.
Also, going to a 180 Degree T-stat improved my idle slightly, I'm also going to recommend going to NAPA and getting their brass contact cap/rotor, it's the same as the Borg & Warner Cap/Rotor. The stock ones tend to pit/score by about 25000 miles or so, you'll likely be surprised how bad it is. I'm running Autolite 3923 spark plugs, which helpd a bit, but I hear the Bosh Platniums are good too.
Many people here have pulled the stock clutch-fan off the engine and put electric fans on, with what seems to be good gains in performance/milage. Thats on my list of things to do, once I get the proper tools. You can also pick up the crank underdrive pully for about $48, and the proper belt for it for about $12, that reduces drag on the engine and helps as well.
None of these things are dramatic on it's own though, the fan is probally the most dramatic (from what I hear). It's a combination of things that you have to do, although besides the electric fan conversion and purchasing an Air Intake, most are fairly inexpensive.
Hope this helped!
I learned to drive from James Bond and playing Grand Theft Auto
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BillPa
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2003
14:56:59
| RE: Improving my 3.9
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One of the first thing you can do is replace all the lubricants with synthetics. Not only will your Dak last longer, it should help your fuel milage. I have a '94 X cab with almost 90K miles and if I drive with some sanity, will average almost 24 mpg on the highway. I replaced every thing with synthetics including the wheel bearing, diffs, trans/transfer,etc
Bill
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cbsdakota
*Mechanic*
1/27/2003
15:08:36
|  RE: Improving my 3.9
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You can get a Pacesetter air intake for $99. Unless you are building a race truck, you will not notice a difference between this and the $200 to $300 ones. The ignition information above is a good idea too. If you go as far as a throttle body, don't go bigger than a 46mm Fastman or a 48mm other brand. The Fastman is $250 and a nice piece of work. He ports out a stock unit and adds a thinner shaft and throttle blades. A stock V8 TB is supposed to be good too, but tends to kill your low end torque (so I have heard). But many people run them and are happy with the results. They are relatively easy to find used for less than $100. A muffler change is a good option too. You can have a muffler shop install a muffler in your stock piping for a decent price. For example: at my local shop a 2 chamber 40 series Flowmaster was $89 installed. Some say Dynomax is just as good or better and cheaper. It's your call. With the V6, after the intake mods have been made, a cam from KRCperformance would be a good investment along with a set of 1.6 roller rockers. Or just a set of 1.7's and the stock cam for more torque. There are several options. I owned a V6 for quite a while and have compiled alot of info from reputable sources such as Dan Arcand (www.thefastman.com) Marty (www.krcperformance.com) to name a couple. Don't buy a Jet Chip, they are crap. Email me if you have any questions.
97 Dodge Ram SS/T, black w/ silver stripes, Carsound cat and 40 Series Flowmaster
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Sparks
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2003
22:12:43
|  RE: Improving my 3.9
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I checked with Napa and they don't have the cap/rotor for that year and engine.
Any other ideas where I can get one?
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mtlcafan79
GenIII
1/28/2003
00:24:31
| RE: Improving my 3.9
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I changed my cap/rotor at around 27000. I was amazed how crappy it was by that point. Well worth the $15-20 I think it was to change it. Mine is a 2000 and I got it from Napa. At first they said they didn't have it either, looked again and they had both cap and rotor in stock.
Sean
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mtlcafan79
GenIII
1/28/2003
00:28:37
| RE: Improving my 3.9
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I've also added an Intense Performance intake to mine and have a stock V8 TB to try out once the weather warms up and I get a day off to change it. Both together came to right around $250. V8 TB is supposed to make the biggest difference of the low budget mods from what I've read.
Sean
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Deep Purple
Gen III
1/28/2003
07:42:12
| RE: Improving my 3.9
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Good V8 or F&B throttle body. If you add rockers, use 1.7's. The performance difference is well worth it. If you can avoid hearing a good set of pipes on acceleration, gas mileage won't change, but you will feel the power difference. Oh, Ford injectors help too. Good luck.
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