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mo
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11/23/2002
16:58:29

Subject: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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hi guys i need some help i have a 89 dodge dakota and i am getting about 12 MPG. any one know any cheap ways i can get better MPG. People say cats work. how much better can i get the dodge to do. 12mpg on the high way isnt great!!! thanks for all the help



Jon
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11/23/2002
18:51:50

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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Start with a full tune up and fuel injector service. The next thing would be the o2 sensors, even if they are working and the check engine light isn't on, you can still gain some mpg if they have been in there for more than 50K or so, after awhile they don't respond as fast and make you run slightly richer.

Also you might want to check for dragging brakes and a slipping clutch (if it's a manual).

-Jon



NOSDART68
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11/24/2002
01:30:54

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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Fuel injector cleaner works wonders.



mo
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11/24/2002
08:17:36

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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how about the cat changing that will that help!! some pople told me that it will. and if i do what kind should i get. a hipoformance one??





Jon
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11/24/2002
09:21:15

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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Changing the cat will only help if your old one is plugged, and they only get plugged if the engine isn't running right, otherwise they last virtually forever, or until they rust out.

-Jon




TigerDak
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11/24/2002
22:35:10

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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I have the same truck. The highest recorded mpg I ever got was 18.75, and that was with stock sized tires, Jacobs ignition, JET Stage II chip, K & N air intake, fresh motor oil, on the highway and in the cool rain! LOL!



Joe E.
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11/25/2002
13:25:10

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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tiger, i hear ya man.
14 mpg tops. on HW.
Joe E.



88 SC DAK
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11/26/2002
19:40:45

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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12 MPG. Wow I don't feel to bad now. I was getting mid teens with mine until I put the blower on it and did the exhaust. I still have 2.94's in the rear with 255 60's. I went out to Carlisle PA for the Mopar show and got about 21 round trip.



Joe E.
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11/27/2002
00:33:57

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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Wat do you mean blower? ???
Joe E.



88 SC DAK
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11/27/2002
17:14:20

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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B&M had a blower set up for the early 3.9, roots style not centrifical like powerdyne. The paperwork said from 87 to 90 but I see no reason why it won't work on a 91.



Jon
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11/28/2002
10:15:13

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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I'm getting about 20 mpg hwy with my 1996 5 speed. Which is good because a drive about 175 miles a day and 12 mpg would get expensive.

-Jon



Joe E.
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11/28/2002
14:31:36

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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With that super charger, what kinda boost is it running? And what HP did it take your truck too? Did it make a large difference or not enuf to fool with. I am looking to drop a 318 into my dak cuz im tired of this terrible power.Later. Happy Turkey day.
Joe E.



88 SC DAK
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11/28/2002
20:09:06

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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It made a big difference in the performance of the truck, I can actually pass people now.
The truck was doing mid to high 18's in the 1/4 in STOCK form. With the blower it was doing a high 16, with a really lousy tune. I've seen the gauge spike up to 10 pounds but usually runs around 6 or 7 pounds of boost.
Every now and then one shows up on eBay. You will have to do some minor wiring cause your losing your fuel injection and the computer doesn't have a reference because you have to change distributors. I used exhaust manifolds off a '92 magnum van and a stock 92 Dak y pipe (the vans pipe goes down the wrong side of the Dak) with a cat back set up.
I put the blower on a motor with 110K miles on it, about 2 years ago, and it runs better now than ever.
Just to let you know putting this on is not for the weak at heart. It took about a month, about 4 nights aweek and 4 or 5 hours on Saturdays, to get this on and there is quit abit of fabrication to get everything straightened out and working. It's not a afternoon project but well worth the effort.
Hope this help, Jim



Joe E.
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12/01/2002
15:29:52

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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Thanks Jim, i appreciate your time in explaining it. The SC sounds good. But a month? wow. My dak is my daily driver and I just cant do that. I am also looking at dropping a 318 into my dak. Going with a late 80s out a van or Ram. Well see what happens. Thanks again.
Joe E.



joekix
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12/03/2002
00:32:05

RE: 1989 dodge dakota 3.9 gas milage help
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Dont feel bad I have a 1992 3.9 and i get about the same 12 or 13 mpg i also have a hallow converter and hallow glass pack that might be a prob



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