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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2002
19:57:24
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 Subject: JBA header install underway...
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Hi everyone, I'm installing my JBA silver ceramic headers as I speak, and I have a question that I'm hoping that someone can enlighten me with. My Dak is an '02 V6, and in order to gain more clearance and uncluttered workspace on the driver side, I'm inclined to remove the battery connection from the "power center", as well as 2 or 3 of the vacuum lines, and what looks like it might be the evap line from the fuel system to what I believe might be the charcoal canister, which is under the power center.
By lifting the battery negative terminal first, and then removing the positive connection to the power center, will I do anything strange to the system or PCM? I realize that I'll probably have to reset it when I'm finished, or, if I leave the battery disconnected for 2 or 3 days, will it cause any problems? Thanks much...P
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NJQCDak
GenIII
10/14/2002
10:28:15
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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I don't remember needing to remove all that much. Spark plug wires and the removing the positive from the battery. I did shove aside some vaccuum lines but not disconnecting. Just remember where they go. I had a problem with my speedo when I reconnected the power. It was stuck at 120(freaky thing). I just did the instrument test and the speedo came back to 0. good luck.
'01 QC Sport, 3.9L V6, 5spd, 2wd, Volant Intake,
SS Gibson exhaust, MSD Wires, Accel Super Coil, NAPA Cap, Flometrics Billet 48mm TB , JBA Silver Ceramic Headers, Autolites 3923s, R/T front swaybar & Quickor rear swaybar
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afi360
R/T
10/14/2002
10:30:37
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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that reminds me of a question....
what does the charcoal canister do???
mines under the frame
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/14/2002
18:08:36
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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Thanks for the info...I probably didn't need to move quite so much, but I hate having to work in a jumble of hoses and wires. As it turned out, it wasn't that hard. Everything came loose real easy, and the studs backed out of the heads with no problem...one benefit of working on an almost new truck, for sure.
As I understand it, the charcoal canister filters the return vapors from the fuel line, so that excessive hydrocarbons aren't released into the air from the gas tank??
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/18/2002
12:42:33
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BUMP !!!!
UpDate please how's things going Pistol ?
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Stoney
Dodge Dakota
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10/18/2002
14:39:21
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I'm getting my JBA ceramics on Monday (anxious as heck!), please let me know if there's any little tricks. I wouldn't assume anything out of the ordinary. Also, what cat backs did you put to those Pistolero? I got the Borlas (again, anxious). Also got the stage1 jet1 and the k&n. I'll let you guys know (somewhere), how this all went next week.
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/19/2002
00:33:46
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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The header install went smooth and easy, all things considered. Being a new truck, all the nuts and studs came out with no problem. I used 1 nut as a jam nut, and backed the studs out. There were no factory exhaust manifold gaskets on my truck, but I installed the ones that came with the headers. With the stock intake out of the truck, there's tons of room on the passenger side. I used a piece of wire to pull the coolant hose up out of the way on the driver side, and disconnected 2 vacuum lines to move them up over the valve cover. That gave me plenty of room for putting the header into place and getting the bolts in on the driver side. The rear bolt on the driver side is a bit of a bear, so that required some patience. 1 trick I found that helps is to partially thread a stud into the front bolt hole and use that as a locating pin while putting the header in place. Place the gasket between the header and the head, then, get the rear bolt started, and the other 2 will go in easy as pie. I used about an 1/8" bead of Ultra Copper RTV on the seal between the collector and Y pipe. Don't forget to put the lock washers on the header bolts...I didn't see them in the bag at first, and had to reinstall half the bolts after I already had them in.
I almost panicked when I did the passenger side...the header and Y pipe exhaust flanges didn't line up. I was hoping the flange wasn't permanently attached to the Y pipe, so I sprayed some WD40 on it, and hit it with a piece of broomstick and a rubber mallet, and it fell right off, so I could move it to where I needed it. I also found that loosening the bottom exhaust flange nut that's most accessible will allow the top one to be unscrewed more easily. This job is a lot easier if you can get the front of the truck up on jackstands with plenty of room to work underneath.
I didn't have any problems from disconnecting the battery during install, all the gauges came back as normal...radio time was reset, though.
As far as performance...not much difference, but this is my first real mod. I wanted to get the headers on first, before the exhaust parts froze up. Those silver ceramic headers sure do look nice, though, in place of those ugly brown, rusty manifolds. I also removed the spark plug heat shields...they just pull out once you've removed the plugs. Blow them out with compressed air first.
I installed the Magnaflow #14256 stainless muffler today. Still not much noticeable difference in performance. Sound is good, but not quite like a V8. It seems to have deepened a little already, so I'm hoping it continues to do so as the muffler settles in. Right now, it's a little more high pitched than I'd like to have it, but livable. I kept the stock single side outlet pipe, just switched out the muffler. I've got an 8" Gibson slash cut tip to install on the pipe.
Next to go on will be the 1.7 roller rockers, a la Dakota Dan! ;-), the MSD wires, the F&B TB, and Intense intake. That's when I expect to actually start to notice some difference. I'm considering 3.91 or 4.10 gears, but that'll be a ways down the road if that happens.
I've heard some good things about the Borla setup...let us know how that goes, too...P
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/19/2002
08:35:37
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Thanks for the update ;)
Sounds like you have enough parts to keep you busy
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
10/19/2002
08:58:33
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of all that you will probably enjoy that rockers and the intake the most...
but new gears will be the most noticable "off the line" mod. It just cuts back on the mpg's though
--"did you mean the charger, because that's got a hemi, too!"
98 Dakota Sport V6: 8.95@77.9 mph (1/8th)
99 Oldsmobile Alero GL3 V6: xx@xx mph
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/20/2002
00:07:34
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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I'm finding that the biggest drawback to doing any mods at all is probably the PCM's control of the shift points...I wish that I could get more RPM out of the engine without having to floor the gas pedal, or shift manually. My truck is an '02, so I guess that there's no PCM flash available...right?
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/20/2002
08:50:48
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Pistol
Have you tried locking the OD button off, that will have some effect on the shifting.
Also once you get your TB on you may have to adjust your TV cable.
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/20/2002
20:53:36
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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Dan, yeah, I do most of my in town driving with the OD off. It helps the upper end to keep it in 3rd, but it still seems to shift earlier than I'd like it to from a stop, unless I put my foot in it...a bit tiresome and unrealistic when just going from stop light to stop light, at least for the way that I drive. I'd like to have more control of the engine RPM just by toeing the gas pedal, like I could do with my older cars.
Did you have to adjust your TV cable? I've been wondering if I might have to do that...I've heard that it can be sort of tricky. Thanks for the info!...P
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/20/2002
23:11:58
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Pistol
I haven't tried adjusting my TV cable but every time I've had my TB off and I've had the cable unhooked when I put it back things seem a little different sometimes good and sometimes worse, right now it is shifting nice so I'm leaving things alone for now. I've read the adjustment is very sensitive.
The stupidest thing my truck has done is, I'll be accelerating hard the truck will be in 2nd gear going up the power band nice, then shift to 3rd still pulling good THEN ! for some dumb a$$ reason it will down shift back to 2nd, It's also done something like this with the CC on, instead of just downshifting out of the OD on a light grade it goes down to 2nd. and just screams.
My peeve is the 4500 rpm tq converter lockup : P why couldn't they make it lock up after you let up on the throttle.
I drive a 2000 Ranger 3.0 at work and you can make it shift just about anywhere you want it to, it will hold a gear till you let up on it or it hits the high end shift point.
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/21/2002
14:24:00
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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Dan, I'm just getting to the point where I'm getting familiar enough with the truck to recognize some of it's quirks. I haven't hit 4500rpm but once or twice so far, flooring the pedal from a stop and keeping it there, trying to check the rev limiter setting, so I haven't really noticed the torque converter lockup yet. You make a good point, though...it would seem to make more sense for the converter to lock up after speed is reached, rather than in the middle of acceleration.
So far, my main peeve is that the shift points just come way too soon. If you let up on the throttle at all, the tranny immediately shifts, way before you get into any sort of powerband, and the truck feels like a dog. Of course, I understand that all of this is designed to make Grandpa Joe and 98% of the buying public happy.
Your Ranger is exactly what I'm talking about...I want that kind of control back! I even found myself looking at ASE chips on the net last night...YIKES!!...P
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/21/2002
17:44:18
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My Bad
I should have typed 45 mph instead of 4500 rpm (with OD on)
I'm sure you have noticed that.
Kind of wish I had got a Stick ;)
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/21/2002
21:05:22
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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Yeah, that makes a little more sense. I usually drive with OD off unless I'm going to run 60+ for a stretch, so I don't notice the lockup real often. The few times that I've been in OD, I have been a bit irritated to try to maintain speed on a slight incline, only to have the tranny immediately shift down, but at least it's never dropped all the way back to 2nd yet! My enthusiasm for these electronically controlled trannies is pretty lukewarm, but, I purposely bought an auto this time over a stick. My old B2500 Mazda is a stick, and I get tired of clutching it in stop and go. Guess I'm just getting old and lazy.
I'm debating whether to start my RR install this weekend or not...the truck still has only 2000+ miles on it. What do you think...should I wait a little longer to let the stock parts work in, or just switch them out? Have a good one!...P
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/21/2002
22:26:26
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Pistol
I don't know what to tell you about the RR's, I did mine at around 9k if I remember right I'd have to check my book. I would think if you had to do any Warranty work the dealer would frown on the headers since he can see them, that's what I liked about the RR's you would have to look pretty hard to see the double gaskets under the valve covers. My truck has been to FL 3 times 1st with the K&N and Muffler, 2nd V8 TB added, 3rd RR's added all t3 times I got 22-23 mpg running 70-80 mph.
Something I would like to know about your F&B TB, the stock V8 TB has this little cam that the cable has to go under (the V6 TB doesn't have this) My thinking is that this may change the geometry of the pull on the TB blades (quicker or slower) if you know what i mean, this in-turn would affect the input/output of the TPS to the PCM it could be possible that it may affect the shift points. ? is does the F&B have this cam.
I'll try to link a photo of them if it stays up look at Type 3 on the right see the little cam
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Stoney
Dodge Dakota
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10/22/2002
16:39:45
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Just an update. I've installed my single pipe Borla exhaust, and the stage 1 Jet1 chip mod. I've got to say I'm relatively pleased. When I first started it up I wasn't sure if I had spent money wisely, but now, after it being about 3 days, I'm starting to notice the difference. Nice rumble, better boost after 2000RPM, and better shift points. Did a little off-roading, and the V8 under a little strain sounds mean.
Just some notes, it was a pain to get off the factory muffler. The old-style pipe clamps had been put on and all the connections were clamped and partially seized together. Had to get out the ol' pneumatic saw and cut through. I think it was stainless steel pipes, and was a little tough to get off. Also tricky around the cat. Putting on was like playing with a lego set...easy.
Overall, I'm pleased so far. Got my JBA headers in yesterday, and will try to put those in tomorrow. Waiting on K&N though. I'm about a mile up, and the air is pretty thin. Am betting on a nice boost from the FIPS(?).
'00 Dakota CC, 4.7, at, A.T.4x4
Borla catback, stage 1 jet
(more to come! :o) )
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/22/2002
23:18:54
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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Dan, I know what you mean about the headers being obvious. I struggled a bit with that, too. I'm still a bit concerned about applying mods to my truck when it's so new. I'm a decent mechanic, but I don't want to screw something up. I guess that I'm counting on the strength of the Magnuson Moss Act to get me out of any possible snafus, as well as hoping that my dealer is a human being. I hope that if they can see that I've installed everything correctly and carefully, they won't hassle me. As for myself, I couldn't see installing mods like roller rockers, intakes, and throttle bodies, and keeping those old stock exhaust manifolds. I don't know if the performance increase, if any, from headers will ultimately justify their cost, but, if nothing else, they sure do look a lot cooler! I was also a bit skittish about breaking off a stud or bolt down the road, like I've read about from a few people. That sounds like a real pain. In fact, I found 1 stud on the driver side that was barely finger tight. With the headers, I don't think that I'll have to worry about that. Those manifolds were really heavy!
My F&B does have a grooved cam at the forward part of the linkage. It's a bit hard to tell in your pic exactly what the cam looks like, but the bracket looks almost exactly like the one on my TB. I asked Sam at socaldakotas if all of the cables would match up with my V6 TB, and he assured me that they would. I decided to go with the F&B so that I could keep the stocker, in case I needed to switch back to it. I was a little hesitant to send my brand new TB in to Fastman or someone else in exchange for something that might have 90,000 miles on it. It'll probably be a little while before I put the F&B on...I'm going to do the rockers and the MSD wires, and probably the intake at the same time. I might decide to do the TB then, too...not sure. I may wait a couple of weeks so that I'll be able to notice better any difference the TB makes. It'll probably all depend on how anxious I am!
Stoney, I've got the headers on and a Magnaflow...everything else is still stock right now. I haven't noticed an ant's hiney worth of difference so far, and I didn't really expect to. Once the TB and the rollers go on, I expect a few things to start happening. I took a look at how my stock muffler was clamped on, and I got in the truck and drove it to the muffler shop. They charged me $60 to put the Magnaflow on, which I didn't think was too bad. I'm wishing that I'd gotten the V8 rather than the V6, but I gots what I gots, so I have to live with it. Let us know how your header install goes...mine went pretty easy, could've been a lot worse...P
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2000black3.9
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
10:20:25
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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dan is that a side pipe i see in your profile picture? If it is that is the funniest thing i've ever seen!
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/23/2002
12:11:41
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Yea.......you like that hehehe.......
Thanks to photoshop !
I don't really have them
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
10/23/2002
12:30:22
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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LMAO!!!!
i just noticed that.... some stacks would of been cool too!
--"did you mean the charger, because that's got a hemi, too!"
98 Dakota Sport V6: 8.95@77.9 mph (1/8th)
99 Oldsmobile Alero GL3 V6: xx@xx mph
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/23/2002
17:30:12
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Hey now whats wrong with my Trans-Am Dak ;P
hehehee.............
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/23/2002
19:54:29
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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Dan, you're having way too much fun with this. That's not allowed...
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/23/2002
21:41:37
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Hey Pistol
You need to have some fun too now get busy this weekend and pop that F&B TB on your truck, should only take you 20-30 min. I had mine off and new one on with a cable change in about 45 min.
Maybe give yourself another 1-2k miles on the RR's
I see your on DTW hope to see some photos soon!
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
11:41:14
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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LOL, yeah, I had a little fun putting the headers on. I think that I will wait a little longer for the rockers...give things a chance to settle in a little more and see if anything breaks and needs warranty work here in the early stages. As long as I've still got my Mazda, I drive it when the weather is crappy, so the miles are going on the Dak fairly slow right now.
I'm trying to come up with a spare airhat for the F&B...the stock one won't work unless you cut out the locating tabs, and I'd like to keep one for the stock TB in case I have to swap it back. Just haven't gotten to the dealer or the junkyard yet. Also have to make an S bolt for it.
Your rocker photos prompted me to register on DTW. I shot some pics during the header install, but haven't used up all the film yet. Figured I'd wait for the rockers and TB. I hope to have some more fun before too long, so don't use all of mine up. ;-)
Have a good one!...P
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/24/2002
12:15:46
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Ah.........now that would be one advantage to the K&N FIPK
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/24/2002
14:28:01
| RE: JBA header install underway...
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Ah...you are so right. But, then again, I decided that I'd rather pay $125 for the Intense intake as opposed to $250 for the K&N...especially since I was doing the headers.
I'm trying to find someone on here who wants to sell their stock airhat for $20 or so. You wouldn't be interested, would you?
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/24/2002
21:35:03
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Pistol something you might try if you can't find a extra airhat, get a chrome 9,10 or 11" open element aircleaner. I wish I had thought about it before I got my K&N
I think AutoZone has a Edelbrock one for around $20.
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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DakotaDan
*GenIII*
10/24/2002
21:42:40
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Check this out !
 K&N AirHat
Dan
"Can You Hear Me Now"........................................GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Pistolero
Dodge Dakota
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10/25/2002
00:29:01
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Dan, thanks for the info...again. I've already got the Intense intake, so I don't think that the open element aircleaner would work for me. But, that K&N airhat looks pretty neat. Do you know what they charge for that puppy?
Dakaty has responded to my post for an airhat on the General board. He's got one from an '01 5.9, so if he's obliging, maybe I'll be able to come by his spare airhat for a reasonable price...P
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