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good2go
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2006
17:08:16
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 Subject: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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Hey guys, well i just purchased a 2001 Dodge Dakota Extended cab 2WD with the 3.9L automatic. It has 70,000KM of easily driven miles.
My buddy has a older '94 honda accord 4-door with the basic 2.2l ohv 5-speed.
We went out onto the highway and i was behind him as we got off the on ramp, and we both put it to the floor, i stayed with my front bumper at his rear bumper, and could not pass him.
I realize i only have the 3.9l, but i was embarassed cause i thougt i would have atleast pulled up beside him, but couldnt get past his rear bumper.
The truck also gets around 16mpg average with city and highway driving.
What are the best cheap simple mods i can do to get more power and MPG out of this truck?
I currently just bought a Highflow K&N air filter.
What about IAT sensor location, how abouts would i go about doing that? I hear it makes the computer think the engine is cold anr richens up the mixture, but this means i'll be using more fuel wouldnt it? Are there even any gains out of doing it?
Also, i read about getting 8MM spark plug wires, and a brass rotor and cap, how abouts would i go about changing the rotor and cap? Do i have to re-adjust the timing or the computer or is it just a basic bolt on bolt off kind of thing?
As well, i noticed these engines seem to run more on the cold side, which would make my gas mileage alittle worse, is there a thermostat i could put in to make it run alittle warmer? And what would it be?
And my last 2 questions, i looked up the Autolite spark plugs on they're website for the 3.9 dakota, and the part number was not 3923 from which i read on this site, are the 3923 a better heat range or something to make this motor more efficient?
Last thing, what is the redline on these trucks for the 3.9?
I'm terribly sorry for the long post, but these are questions that have been on my mind lately. I look forward to hearing some replies so i can get to work.
Thanks guys-
Neil
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2006
17:23:21
| RE: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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dude, don't be embarassed. take him & his honduh down to the local lumber yard and see if he can haul 20 sheets of 3/4" plywood.
your truck probably weighs twice what his car does.
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screwuphead
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2006
17:35:30
| RE: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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hes right! you actually did pretty good, its when we smoke those guy that they should feel embarrsed cause we weight more and not as arrow dynamic.
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good2go
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2006
19:38:26
| RE: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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Haha ok well that makes me feel better atleast.
But could someone give me some answers about my performance/MPG questions? I would really like to know so i can get to work.
Thanks guys
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Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2006
20:00:51
| RE: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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Consider the well known Throttle body swap. I put one on off of a full size Ram and didn't have to swap the cable. It's got alot more top end, and I've noticed a slight gain on the bottom end. (slightly wet streets are fun now :) I have yet to tell if the fuel economy has changed, but judging by the computer on the truck it has gone up.
You will probably notice a bigger difference because yours is a 2wd
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good2go
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2006
21:32:26
| RE: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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Hey, i'll have to consider that, what was the year/model engine of the truck you took the throttle body off? Is it a direct bolt in? And you say your gas mileage is better?
But my main concern is dealing with the ingnition system consisting of plugs, wires, cap and rotor, and the thermostat, i would raelly like to know the answers to those questions in my original post.
P.s. It looks like my truck has a PCV valve on each rocker cover??
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Shatto
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2006
22:09:22
| RE: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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good2go,
Go 2 Performance, scroll to the Jacobs For Sale. Buy it.
Next thing is Gibson Headers.
Your engine will redline right where the tach says it should. Normally the engine lives right around 2,000 RPM (67 MPH).
Mine is a long bed standard cab; yours should weigh a bit more. I average high 18s and 19s per tank.
You'll need a 5 inch phillips head screwdriver. One screw on each side, just lean in. Each injector has the cylinder number in the electric wire, the cap has a 1 where #1 wire goes. put em in anti-clockwise (little English there).
Have fun.
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Gregg
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
01:45:28
| RE: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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...cheap simple mods i can do to get more power and MPG out of this truck? >> 16-19 mpg is average with/without mods. I don't care what some claim mpg is difficult to increase.
...Highflow K&N air filter. >> Not much gain to be had there. True cold air intake with low restriction air cleaner will help. Remove air blocking rubber flap on the radiator shroud.
What about IAT sensor location... >> more fuel useage? Not noticeable.
...how abouts would i go about changing the rotor and cap? >> Timing is fixed no touchy unless you fool with the crank sensor - not a basic mod. Cap, wires and rotor are an easy bolt on install and brass is the ticket. NAPA has 'em.
As well, i noticed these engines seem to run more on the cold side... >> Actually a 180 T-stat is preferred to run the engine cooler with a richer mixture to prevent pinging. The stock T-stat is 195. Your lukey warm heat is do to a restricted heater core. Perform a true back-flush to cure. Back-flushing is reverse flow - it works!
...are the 3923 a better heat range or something to make this motor more efficient? >> Yes, just do it! Less chance of pinging as well.
See this site>> http://www.hurontel.on.ca/~luschus/mods_explained.htm
And this one >>http://www.intense-dakota.com/tips_and_tricks.htm
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Jason52
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
09:38:07
| RE: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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By the way the 2.2 is the prelude engine... so if he had that engine than its a pretty fast car anyway. It can rev up to around 8000 rpm. It shouldnt have come stock that way... i had a friend who had one, and when i raced him we stayed even until mid second gear. At that time he started pulling away slowly and continued to pull away. If he had the original 1.6 you would have killed him. In comparison of price and stuff he woulda went against an r/t.
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Shatto
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
14:59:46
| RE: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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I was on a truck scale the other day. Long bed, standard cab: 4108 lbs. wet (little airplane talk, means with fuel), I subtracted me.
Bet you could beat the half-your-weight Honda coasting down a long hill.
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Shatto
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
15:09:57
| RE: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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Since you are removing the distributor cap anyway, it's easy to confirm the timing.
Turn the engine over (use the belt)until the timing mark on the crank is at zero. Your rotor ought to be pointing to #1. Directly under it is a notch on the distributor case. Lined up? Perfect.
As Gregg said, there is no other adjustment.
My 98 3.9 auto has 500,000 miles on the same engine and transmission. I use Amsoil. I don't race Hondas. I presume your truck could ge many more happy miles. Enjoy.
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Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2006
16:26:30
| RE: Got beat by a 4cylinder accord!
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good2go, My truck is a 99, my TB came off a 99 Ram 1500 with the 5.2. The cables were exactly the same, but there were little differences between the brackets that heald them. All I had to do was buy a new gasket and the TB and I just swaped them. I think my gas mileage is a bit better but it hasn't been warm enough outside to tell. (Winter in Canada kills gas mileage)
Look at this page:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2235187/2
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