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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2006
21:02:10

Subject: Hi, new to the dakota and need some tips
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Hey, I just bought a 97 dakota magnum V6 EXT cab for a winter beater/daily driver...

I love the truck and before I bought it I said to my self "Jim, get a V6" as I have a summer car.. But now I m regreting it as the thing is gutless!

Anyways I d like a little more pep... I just thro in, new plugs, cap and rotor, air filter and a oil change (moble1)...

I thought it might help but I didnt really feal any gain at all (surprising being the oil was blacker then black, the plugs we worn copletly out and the cap and roter were still factory)

But I guess I m just looking for anything small to get more pep out of it, I can't believe it wont spin the tires at all and the thing actually feals fater at 1/2 throttle aposed to full...

Some motors feal good gains from exuast and CAI, others from computer so I guess I m just trying to figure out the best bang for the buck here...

Thanx Jim



Richard
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2006
21:53:18

RE: Hi, new to the dakota and need some tips
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How many miles does this thing have one it? Does it hold good oil pressure? Does it have good compression? Is it pulling any codes for the computer? I know of plenty V6 automatics that will spin the tires very easily. My V6 5speed will grab a hell of a 3rd gear and scratch 4th.



ryan
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2006
21:56:31

RE: Hi, new to the dakota and need some tips
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the best gains on these motors come from improving the intake, CAI and a F&B throttle body. then the exhaust. you should at least be able to spin the tires after that. dont get a tb spacer, they do no good on these intake manifolds.



Flippy
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2006
21:59:20

RE: Hi, new to the dakota and need some tips
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for more power on a budget you could install a cold air intake with a k&n air filter, replace the stocker muffler with a flowmaster 40 series, maybe get a used v8 throttlebody from the junk yard, remove the air flap beside the radiator on the passenger side front for more air flow, try getting a super chip from e-bay, better roller rockers, the sky's the limit, but if your on a budget and not a mechanic i would start by first getting the cold air intake and maybe the muffler to start with.



jb
Dodge Dakota
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12/01/2006
21:13:35

RE: Hi, new to the dakota and need some tips
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sell it. buy something bigger. my dakota is a money pit even tho it goes in for regualar matainance.



Jim
Dodge Dakota
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12/02/2006
00:27:14

RE: Hi, new to the dakota and need some tips
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Well.....

I think somethings wrong with this thing, It has good oil pressure, its been well maintained, 188 thousandKM's

But... $30 @ 84 a liter (thats from empty to 3/4 of a tank) got me just over 100 KM's that was my first clue somethings off here...

Also the hole full throttle to half throttle is getting worse...

And the trucks going on and off from squaking the tires to not even spinning in the rain..

When I first start the truck its got a ton of balls and I left my street today sideways for about 40 feet until I let off the gas...

I m thinking it may be fuel pressure.. when I first start it (pump is primed) it runs great.. then it dies off and goes from bad too worse bad too worse...

But... a fuel pump or filter shouldn't reduce the gas millage that much... should it?

anyways I really appreiciat the help.. I just bought it so I really have no refference as too what the truck should be runnig like...

when it was super slugish I thought it was just the truck and I thought man.." i ve got a fast car, I dont need a fast truck, but thing is frigen rediculas"

thanx again...

Jim

PS I m throing a intake on tommorow being as I have a old one and a new filter lieing around off the car last season



Mike Stager
Dodge Dakota
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12/02/2006
22:17:22

RE: Hi, new to the dakota and need some tips
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First things first, check the IOD fuse. It's the 10amp fuse in the white holder in the fuse box on the dash that you access when you open the drivers side door. You can pull that fuse out, but not out all the way to just disconnect it so it can disable the electrical draw from components like your computer, radio and interior lights. IF those are all working, chances are it's good, but you might as well make sure, because if it isn't good, then the computer can't "learn" because it's memory is pretty much turned off. Made a great deal of improvement in my truck when I discovered that mine was bad when I bought it. The previous owner had not clue, and his father works for a dodge dealership!

Secondly, the O2 sensor is probably old and not working up to snuff, which will hurt your performance, especially if it's the original with those kinds of miles.

Buy a direct fit replacement from www.NGK.com - much cheaper than you'll find retail, even with a discount. You should only have one sensor located behind the catalytic converter if your 97 is the same as mine.

I'd pull the truck into a local car parts store and ask them to pull any codes you may have stored in the computer and see what you can find out ( autozone will pull them and print them out for you individually ).

Good luck!



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