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08:39:13 - 11/17/2024
Dakota Performance
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
7/09/2001
09:30:56
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 Subject: Finally!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
It was an adventure, but after two weeks the 5.2 in my '99 CC 4X4 is now breathing a whole lot deeper. I've installed:
MP SBEC
MP R/T "Purple" CAM and Lifters
MP Roller Rockers, Rods, Springs, Retainers.
MP Double-Roller Timing Chain
MP Valve Covers
MP Headers (Cermakrome coated by Process Coatings in Croswell, MI)
MP Cat-back Exhaust (and new headers-to-cat pipe)
MP Spark plugs
MP M1-MPI Intake - the Randy Pile version w/ "Turtle" and 180 T-stat (from World Wide Performance Parts)
Flowmetrics 52mm TB (from SpeedTweaks)
CarSound High Flow Converter (from Husker High Performance)
Flex-A-Lite Black Magic 150 15” Fan (from Summit Racing)
I already had the K&N FIPK and MSD 6A, Blaster SS and 8.5mm wires, and Borg Warner cap & rotor.
Everything went in very easy (thanks in no small part to the postings on Shawn’s 1.7 rocker experience) - except the exhaust. One you get the A/C condenser and the radiator out the entire engine is just right there – in your face. How sweet is that? But, after great success with the engine, the exhaust was a total nightmare, start to finish.
Because of the Tuff Country 5.5" lift, the crossover pipe on the 4X4 headers wanted to cross right where the front drive shaft was. OK, I'm going to HAVE to get the truck moving, so I took off the front drive shaft and discovered that even in Part-Time 4Hi (T-Case supposedly LOCKED), the truck would only move a few feet. That would make perfect sense in Full Time 4Hi, but in PT mode a collar is supposed to lock the T-case diff and apply equal power to both front and rear – no torque transfer and no slipping. I was not amused.
Finally found a nearby Discount Muffler shop (remember, this is LaPaz, Indiana - population 12) that would "make it fit", so I had the trucked towed there (Mr. LaPaz Police Man would not allow open headers – and the towing was cheaper than the ticket). Well, they did get everything connected - and there aren't any especially bad creases in the bends (they never even heard of Mandrel Bending) - but it's not pretty (and it did a number on the Ceramic coating of the crossover pipe). Actually, it looks a mess – but it works, and there aren’t any big crimps. Maybe next year, after I’ve recovered, I’ll try to get something better.
Then I had to fit the 33” spare back up under the bed (already a tight fit), next to the 3” exhaust – with the most stupidly placed support bracket known to man. Could they point the bolts outside before they welded it on? OH NO! Let’s have them sick inwards – costing a good two inches of spare tire clearance. A couple of 2X4s on top of the tire lowers it and a small wedge pushes against the frame and shoves the tire towards the driver’s side just enough that the lower bolt on the stupid bracket “rests” on the tire tread (instead of digging into it). With good luck this will last, with my luck the tire winch will fail and the whole thing will drop to the highway somewhere.
Oh well, at least it’s together – and running. I haven’t passed the 50 mile under-3000rpm “break in” on the valve train yet (and the new computer hasn’t had time to adjust), so I don’t know what I’ve gained in performance, but I like the deep note of the exhaust (and it’s still quiet in the cab), and there is definitely more grunt off the line. Rock steady idle too – a first. Interestingly, the overhead console showed an average 18.5MPH on the way into work (65MPH, steady). It has NEVER gone above 16 before. Is it really getting 2.5MPG more, or is the new computer more generous in it’s calculations? Won’t know till I have to fill ‘er up.
I just wanted to thank the Forum “experts” for their advice, and everyone for posting their problems and experiences – it was invaluable. This was a really big deal for me, and way more money than I have ever dropped into a truck, so your good advice meant a lot. Thanks again.
T
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TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
7/09/2001
13:39:30
| RE: Finally!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Wow! Sounds like somebody invested MONEY into their Dakota. Got any pics? I'd also like to hear about any dyno tests!!!
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
7/17/2001
11:53:09
| RE: Finally!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Well, after living with it for a few weeks now, all I can say is:
BIG, FAT, HAIRY DEAL!!!
It has a nice idle. That's about all I can say for it. Stronger off the line, but no great whoosh of acceleration. Not that different from stock.
I guess it's louder now too - embarrassingly so. It would be one thing if it was as fast as it sounds, but there's nothing more pathetic than a truck that makes a lot of noise and gets blown away by a 4cyl S-10.
Took a trip to Detroit this past weekend and, flooring it from 70MPH, this thing still can't pass a semi in anything under 45 minutes.
I just pissed away a whole bunch of money.
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rEID tARDO
Dodge Dakota
7/17/2001
12:06:08
| RE: Finally!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
hmmm...
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4wDakota
Dodge Dakota
7/17/2001
16:11:38
| RE: Finally!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Are you running 33's all around or just the spare, (what size tires?); and have you changed gears to match. If you have 33's or greater with a 3.55 rear end the truck will bog no matter what. I'd say at least 3.92 or higher. I'd find a chassis Dyno and check the settings (You may not have enough injector 24lbs???). You may want to reset your computer if it has to learn again, I'm not sure if the new computer starts fresh with its memory. Gears would be my first concern.
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
7/17/2001
16:46:17
| RE: Finally!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
I do have 33s all around. It came from the factory with 31s and 3.92 gears.
What are the stock injectors rated? I thought the PCM would use the data form the O2 sensors to keep the mix correct.
The MP PCM was installed right along with the intake, headers, etc.
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steve-o
Dodge Dakota
7/17/2001
16:50:37
| RE: Finally!!!!
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Message:
hey 4x4 tony, you really lost to a 4cyl s10? just wondering cause i was riding with my friend in his ram 1500 5.2 and we race another friend of mine in his s10 xtreme 4 cyl and we completely took him? did the s10 have any mods that you know of?
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
7/17/2001
18:12:44
| RE: Finally!!!!
IP: Logged
Message:
Sweet, huh?
Pretty sure it's a 4 - looks like real plain vanilla.
He was poking along at 45 down the two-lane highway I live on, so I come up behind him and go to pass: he floors it (typical jackass), I floor it, I get even with him and that's it. He's nice and quiet, my Dak sounds like a f**king semi, and I can't pull ahead - at least not before I've travelled the 2 miles to my house or oncoming traffic forces me out of the lane.
Been like that ever since it was new, but at least back then I hadn't spent $3,800 to have it keep pulling like a VW Bus.
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