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Dakota Performance
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Josh
Dodge Dakota
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12/11/2003
18:37:00

Subject: 3.9 V6
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I'm thinking of getting a 3.9 V6 dakota, but the fact that the engine produces only 175 h.p. bothers me. I don't plan on burning out, racing, pulling a battleship etc... I just think that they are a little "sluggish" and I'm wondering what mods I could make that would give me at least 210 h.p. or even more without a lot of cost and extra wear on the engine/drivetrain. Thanks.



Angel
Dodge Dakota
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12/11/2003
19:11:11

RE: 3.9 V6
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THIS IS EVERBODYS DREAM TO HAVE A V6 WITH LOADS OF POWER......

LETS GET REAL ITS A V-SUKS IT WILL ALWAYS BE UNDER POWERED......



Mitch
Dodge Dakota
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12/11/2003
20:22:46

RE: 3.9 V6
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I have an 00' with a 3.9 and am pushing about 350 hp. I droped about 1800 bucks not to bad. Don't let anyone tell you that a v8 is always better to build its just easier to find parts for them. Do a little searching and you will find numerous parts to bump your hp to the numbers you want. I have seen 4 cylinder pinto motors with 800 hp so don't get to discouraged with the base numbers.



gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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12/11/2003
23:56:12

RE: 3.9 V6
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You think 175hp is bad? Pity the poor schmucks in pre-Magnum V-6 Dakotas. 125hp. Owwwch



MopaREV
Dodge Dakota
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12/12/2003
00:19:30

RE: 3.9 V6
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Josh, if you're not planning on doing what you said above, but just drive the thing, but yet want some extra power.....the V6 is great for you.

In my eyes, it is not sluggish. Perhaps in a QuadCab 4X4....but for a extended or regular cab it does the job well. (you didnt specify what type of Dakota you plan on getting)

All you need is to swap in a V8 TB
K&N FIPK
Some mufflers of your choice
Hell even some 1.7 RR if you want

I say that'll do pretty good for what you're looking for.

I personally want to race and burnout, so I'm looking for a V8 swap. The V6 is really nice, but not nice enough for me.

Good luck.



Spencer
Dodge Dakota
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12/12/2003
00:21:28

RE: 3.9 V6
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my premagnum doesnt make 125 anymore....
http://threefortyduster.250free.com/dakotaflyby.WMV



FREAKenPYRO
Dodge Dakota
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12/12/2003
13:41:43

RE: 3.9 V6
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Josh(ah, sounds like I'm talkin to myself(my name is josh also))
A V6 is alright for what I do, go to school and occasionally race someone, I've beaten a V6 dodge ram with dual exhaust and I almost beat an 98 F-150 Lariet with a V8. and mine is stock 5sp. But the V6 is fine, good gas mileage and nice room in my extended cab. I can get around 275 miles before I reach the "low gas" alarm. I personally love my dodge(2000 black extended cab 3.9 5sp), if you want some balls on your truck get the standard, whenever you want that extra boost, drop it down a gear. thats what I do(and I'm gonna have to change my pressure plate soon) those are just my opinion in random order.

2000 blk excab 3.9 5sp
c/o 04 (hopefully)
Somerset TX
No Money No Mods



Josh
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2003
11:13:55

RE: 3.9 V6
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Hey, thanks for the comments,

about what MopaREV said:
All you need is to swap in a V8 TB
K&N FIPK
Some mufflers of your choice
Hell even some 1.7 RR if you want

I checked up on the K&N FIPK, but only found one for V8 Dakota, do I use it or is their on specific for V6? another thing, what is a "1.7 RR"? I'm performance illiterate, heck, I don't know anything about it, so any explaination is appreciated. By the way, where is the best place to go for all this junk?

Thanks



FREAKenPYRO
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2003
20:43:38

RE: 3.9 V6
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ok from what I can remember and read, 1.7 RR stands for 1.7 Roller Rockers and maybe some one else can elaborate for that on you.



Spencer
Dodge Dakota
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12/15/2003
10:02:16

RE: 3.9 V6
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1.7 is the ratio to which the cam lift is multiplied by to open the valves, stock on magnums 1.6 i think, so you would get 10% more valve opening plus the reduced friction from a roller tip, they are well worth it



Gen II Geoff
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
11:35:30

RE: 3.9 V6
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Hey guys,
I had a 3.9 in my 95 dak before I swapped the 318 in. With a bit of work (K&N, ported tb, headers, cat-back) it could keep up with most of the newer v-8 pickups. I'm not saying it was faster than 'em but it would keep up. Not to mention it sounded really mean which I didn't think could happen from a 6'er.

In the end it was cheaper for me to build a 5.2 for the power I wanted, but it does say that the 3.9 has more potential than the factory gives it.

geoff



asdf
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
20:49:54

RE: 3.9 V6
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to answer your question jeff...

for 3.9L dakotas, your would just use the K&N FIPK for a 5.2 or 5.9L engine.



jetmech1
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
19:32:21

RE: 3.9 V6
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I just bought a v-6 QC 4X4 2003 Dakota. I have 3 words for you...DON"T DO IT. The v-6 is way under powered, vibrates. I'm not impressed. I owned a Chevy S-10 extended cab with a v-6 and a f-150 extened cab with a v-6 and both would run circles around my new Dakota. I test drove a 4.7 Dakota today and that was a sweet truck. Plenty of power, smooth.

John



Jeff
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
01:41:32

RE: 3.9 V6
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"I just bought a v-6 QC 4X4 2003 Dakota. I have 3 words for you...DON"T DO IT. The v-6 is way under powered, vibrates. I'm not impressed. I owned a Chevy S-10 extended cab with a v-6 and a f-150 extened cab with a v-6 and both would run circles around my new Dakota."

the QC is your problem, not the v6. also, you can't compare a QC with two extended cabs. huge weight diff.
my stock CC v6 auto hauls ass, especially on the freeway doing 70 when i press the little OD button and drop into 3rd... wheeee! :)



IntenseDak39
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12/20/2003
09:45:11

RE: 3.9 V6
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4 wheel drive aint making that V6 any better either



capone
Dodge Dakota
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12/22/2003
13:26:44

RE: 3.9 V6
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You can get plenty of power out of a V6. I've got a '94 and after a few simple mods you can get that 210 hp you want. I have the K&N FIPK on mine, and there is a huge difference. Also, put on a high flow catalytic converter and a performance muffler (mine was flowmaster, which I love, but any high flow muffler will boost your hp). After that you should be well on your way to beating most of the other light trucks on the road. If you just want some simple benefits too, put in some split fire spark plugs and a K&N stock replacement filter. That'll keep you happy for a little while.

Good luck with your new truck.



Lesley
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12/22/2003
18:21:43

RE: 3.9 V6
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Mine can keep up with V8s, maybe not at the race track, but it sure isn't sluggish, or a pig. I plan to swap in my project 360 eventually, but I'm in no hurry since I'm happy with the truck the way it is for now - the 360 is a learning experience, research and will be fun to take to the track.
A stock V8 TB, better muffler and a cold air intake will wake your truck up - and you will still be laughing at the gas pumps.
(I raced 2 guys last summer in a Chev Silverado - they beat me, but they gave me a big thumbs up)

97 3.9 CC Sport. JBA stainless headers, Borla Turbo XL stainless muffler & tip, 17 x10 Boyd Coddington Smoothies, FMS injectors, V8 TB, Quick D intake,
Not installed: 5.9 litre 360, posi & 3.92s, M1 2bbl , 52mm TB, 1.6 roller rockers, ceramic JBAs. , KRC 210x cam, mopar perf valve covers,

blacksunshine
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2003
13:33:14

RE: 3.9 V6
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humm i am rather pleased with my v6, the more work i do it it the quicker it gets. Does a good job towing when something like that has to be done, *dragging friends project cars that dont run around.



actually
Dodge Dakota
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12/25/2003
07:07:28

RE: 3.9 V6
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for spencer:
the difference between 1.6 and 1.7 rocker arm ratios is actually 6.25% not the 10% you stated.



Spencer
Dodge Dakota
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12/25/2003
09:18:48

RE: 3.9 V6
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good point, i was just writing it really quick, and didnt ACTUALLY sit down and figure it out, but if you want to get like that, it is really 5.9%



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