Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
08:14:33 - 11/17/2024

Dakota Performance
FromMessage
DSW
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


9/26/2005
14:51:03

Subject: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
I have some cash to dump ino my truck and need to find out what's going to be the best bang for the buck, a set of HO cams $230, set of 4.10 gears $350-800 or a SuperChips tuner $300. My truck is stock except for a "true" CAI, AIT relocated to the CAI tube, DynoMax Ultra Flow muffler and all synthetic fluids.

I use my truck for towing and highway driving so I am looking for increased power without sacrificing mileage. Right now I am tossing around the HO cams or SC tuner as the gears will be a real PITA to install or cost an additional $400 to have installed. From what I can tell the cams have a better power increase than the SC tuner and are cheaper. HO cams = about 20 HP & 20-30 FTLB TQ, SC tuner 91 octane program = 20HP & 15 FTLB TQ,,, SC tuner 87 program ??? HP & ??? FTLB TQ. Since I'll only run the SC 87 program (gas is too expensive already) I think the HO cams are my best bet,,, what ya think?



modain
GenIII
 Email User Profile


9/26/2005
17:27:49

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
You won't go wrong with the Superchips tuner. You can pick one up for $290 w/free shipping from Casanova Speed Shack on eBay.

I have no experience with the HO cams, but my opinion based on everything I have read about those who have gone that route is that this would be the best route to take. You get real TQ and HP gains and in greater amounts that what the SC will give you. And you can still run 87 gas to get them. The SC requires premium gas to get its full potential.

As for MPG? I seem to think the consensus of what I have read is the city mileage went up a little, and the highway mileage dropped a little. About 1MPG for each. My SC mileage hasn't changed enough to make a difference either way. But basically, the deciding factor is your right foot.

The gears will help a lot for towing. You didn't say what gears you currently have. But most people that have gone from 3.55 to 3.92 have reported an increase in MPG. 4.10s might not make a meaningful negative change. It also depends on you tire diameter. If you have larger than stock, the tire size will offset the "loss" going to 4.10s.

My Dakota has 3.92s and I get 17.5MPG on a usual basis. My Durango (which is heavier) has 3.55s and I don't expect anything over 15.5MPG as the usual.

=========================================
2002 Graphite QC SLT Plus, 4.7L, NV3500, Superchips 3715, 3.92 LSD, loads o'fun...
2001 Patriot Blue Durango SLT, 4.7L, 45RFE, Superchips 3715, 3.55 Open (for now)


Kowalski
GenIII
 User Profile


9/26/2005
17:53:55

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
I didn't see any loss of milage with the cams; and a slight increase going from 3.55 to 4.10 gears (not quite 1 mpg). Both good mods, kind of depends on what you want to spend right now.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

b1llyw
GenIII
 Email User Profile


9/27/2005
06:01:27

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
Gears, definitely the first, best mod on a 4.7.

Bill White - KRC Performance
'03 SRT-4 w/goodies

TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

9/27/2005
14:11:26

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
cams



Lurkin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


9/27/2005
14:21:20

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
If price were not the primary object, then I'd go gears, cams, SC.

If price were primary, cams, gears, SC.

FWIW...



shannon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

9/27/2005
15:13:49

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
The super chips tuner will give you 20 hp at 5900rpm!. It only gives you 7 peak horsepower. If you dont beleive me look at the dyno graph on their website.
Who the hell winds up there 4.7 that high. Cams will give you power all over the rpm range, not just up top.



DSW
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


9/27/2005
20:49:42

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
Thank's for the recommendations guys. I have done quite a bit of wrenching, so I might attempt the gear swap on my own. Doesn't seem too hard as long as long as I take the time to get all of the shims set correctly. Just might have to order the gears and cams and install them all at the same time,,, HeHeHe

I have 3.55's in the diff, so 4.10's will be a nice change. 4.10's looks to be about a 15% mechanical advantage over the 3.55's. Free power?


The SC might show some improvements, but thier dyno graph doesn't impress me too much. A 20 HP increase on the 91 Octane Perf program,,, what about the 87 perf program,,, or the 91 towing program??? I doubt it would cost them too much to run these settings on the dyno, then we could see what the SC can really do. Unless I get lazy and want some instant gratification, this will be the last mod of the 3.



8banger
GenIII
 User Profile


9/27/2005
21:53:31

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
The most noticeable upgrade would be gears.

Superchips does not guarantee 20hp, it all depends on your factory tune. The greatest improvement I felt with SC was the shift firmness. I have AWD and it still wants to chirp all four from 1st to 2nd. Plus you have to run the 87 program unless you like paying $3.00+ per gallon.

I am doing gears for my next mod and i am going 4.56's, cuz i plan on running 32" tires. I may not hit much over 120mph afterwards, but i will be able to pull that stump for ya..hehe

03 Dakota 4X4 QC SportPlus 4.7L 3.55 LSD AWD
Superchipped, 2Chamber Flowmaster Dumped, K&N Drop-in, 2" Torsion Lift
MY 4X4'S BAPTISM

TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

9/28/2005
17:05:46

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
Lurkin,

You available for a gear swap to 3.92's?

Let me know.

Todd



TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

9/29/2005
22:17:12

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
And not to disagree with anyone on principle here

the mods should produce the increase in the engine first.

The cams are difinitely the best bang for the buck. MIne were only $112-for the pair, not each, shipped to my door. I know they have gone up considerably since 02.



racernj
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

12/21/2005
22:30:22

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
Todd,

Do you have the part #s for the cams. I have an 02 quad cab , Gibson headers and catback,FIPK,and 3.92's. I think cams are my next move.

Thanks,
Tom



FLDak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

12/22/2005
10:22:01

RE: Cams, Gears or SuperChips
IP: Logged

Message:
Yes!
Do it all. You know you want to, and once you get the mod bug you can't quit. I did the gears first, no regrets, make sure you have LSD also if you are going in there.

02 Dak 4.7L auto, 360 intakez CAI, Roll-N-Lock, Rhino Liner, Relocated IAT, Remove Clutch Fan, No Cats, True Duals Gibson 766024, Motive 4.10 w/LSD, Fastman 68mm TB, ROE A/F Controller, Robert Shaw 180 Tstat, KRC 206 Cams, TMR Mod, Fastman O2 Simms, ASP Underdrive Pulley, HO intake manifold, Superchips Programmer, Magnaflow x-pipe.

Later...



   P 1


Post a reply to this message:

Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages


Name:
Email:
Notify me when I get a reply to my message:Yes  No

Icons:            

          

Subject:
Message:
 



Home | Forums | Members | Pictures | Contact Us

This site is in no way affiliated with Chrysler or any of its subsidiaries.