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wwturner
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2004
00:57:38
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 Subject: 1992 3.9 2WD Catalytic convertor?
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I know that I've posed this question before, but I'm wanting to make sure before I spend any more money on my exhaust system. I have a 1992 Dakota 3.9L 2WD Automatic. I just had the muffler replaced with a Flowmaster 40 3"inlet/single 2.5" outlet brought down to 2.25" single pipe. It definitely gave it more power, along with the stock V8 TB I put on it, the drop-in K&N filter, honeycomb drilled intake tube flap by the radiator (by the way, does securing up the stock tube and drilling a honeycomb pattern in the flap creat the cold air intake effect?) and the TV cable adjustment, but it still seems to feel held back when it is warmed up good and I stomp on it from a dead stop. It also doesn't seem like the Flowmaster 40 is giving as deep of a grumble or giving the rapping sound like us rednecks like to have.
I checked underneath and I believe I may have the stock catalytic convertor on it (132K miles old).
I also get a small rattle when I rev the engine in park coming from that direction. Does anyone have a concrete answer as to whether it would be safe to completely remove the Catalytic convertor or hollow it out without losing power due to loss of backpressure? Should I just go ahead and replace it with a high-flow Cat? I am obsessing over this and it's driving me nuts. On a more positive note, I DID get a 2nd gear squawk on takeoff from dead stop yesterday running with the IAT sensor I have installed in the airhat tube. hehe
BTW, if I have not achieved the cold air intake effect by securing the airhat tube and drilling the flap, what would be the best way to create a home-brew true cold air intake without having to do away with my big sexy stock Magnum airhat? lol
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Just Looking
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2004
01:47:29
|  RE: 1992 3.9 2WD Catalytic convertor?
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u can remove the cat but u will loose back pressure along with a little low end torque
Cat removal... (off road vehicles only) we all follow that rule lol
take 3rd cat out Secure O2 senser that was behind the cat to frame of truck that eliminates the big bad check engine light
If i were u id cut the cat out put in a chunk of pipe drive it a bit and see what u think if u dont like it put the old cat back in
sometimes that rattle is a busted up Cat u can take a long screw driver an listen to that area for the sound to be sure where its coming from
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wwturner
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2004
02:00:30
| RE: 1992 3.9 2WD Catalytic convertor?
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1992 model has no after-cat sensor, so the check engine light is a non-issue. Will the screwdriver pick up the rattle without me having to rev the engine if the cat's bad, or would it be best to have someone rev it while I listen?
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Just Looking
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2004
14:03:58
| RE: 1992 3.9 2WD Catalytic convertor?
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well if u cant hear it with the screw driver then have some one rev it to locate sound
and remember u have to put the screw driver handel against ur ear
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lb
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2004
16:26:05
| RE: 1992 3.9 2WD Catalytic convertor?
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use a broom-handle, they work better, you are farther away from the engine, so it is easier to pick up the rattles.
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wwturner
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2004
19:27:36
|  RE: 1992 3.9 2WD Catalytic convertor?
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Well, had a flow test done today and the exhaust shop said the cat was in the best shape he's seen on that old of a Dakota. Guess I'll have to look into the tranny. It's all because of my low end power.....
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2004
19:39:18
| RE: 1992 3.9 2WD Catalytic convertor?
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Have you ever replaced the timing chain? These engines have issues with it, and it can stretch.
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wwturner
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2004
19:53:01
| RE: 1992 3.9 2WD Catalytic convertor?
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Timing chain? heh. If it was THAT stretched, it might have popped off by now. Maybe I need to put it back on before I drive it much farther. I know I probably sound a little more green as I really am, but I come from many generations of shadetree mek-a-neks and even took automotive technology in Vo-Tech. Not meaning to upset, just kinda funny thinking about a steel timing chain stretching. LOL I really do appreciate all of the awesome tips I've found here and how nice you guys are here. I've had a blast this past weekend doing the mods you all have mentioned like the K&N drop in, IAT relocation, Flowmaster 40, V8 throttlebody, etc. I'm just wondering what might be holding me back on low end though (AKA firing up the rears). Could it be the stock 15x6 wheels with 215/75/15's being too heavy to really burn em well?
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mhall02
Dodge Dakota
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8/17/2004
00:09:42
| RE: 1992 3.9 2WD Catalytic convertor?
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The timing chains do rattle on the 3.9 V-6, my '91 does, notice it more as the RPMs are dropping when I come to a stop, nothing too bad but you can hear it. I don't think my timing is off or anything, seems to run good w/ 132,000 miles but yes, the timing chains do make noise on these trucks, just to a search on timing chains on this webpage.
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