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V6 Dakotas
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Lesley
GenIII
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12/26/2001
11:52:56

Subject: RE: Slow V6s
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LI Blackdak, I've had mine over 110 mph..

97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
Coming: FMS fuel injectors

SloDak39
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2001
12:49:00

RE: Slow V6s
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Airraid intakes and modified exausts don't count. These engine are powerless in stock form, and are simply out classed by a 4.3 of the same year.......i wish i could afford to get all these add ons.



Trevor
Dodge Dakota


12/26/2001
19:46:15

RE: Slow V6s
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powerless? that's crap, i've got a stock 3.9 in my 95 dakota 2wd and i've gotten it up to a hundred no problem. the only thing i've done to it so far is all new interrior and i put a bed cover on it. If that's powerless than i'd like to see what a powerful truck can do.



Lesley
GenIII
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12/27/2001
00:47:49

RE: Slow V6s
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I wouldn't call those upgrades engine modifications, they simply allow it to breathe better. Also, there is no 4.3 Dak, were you referring to the 4.7?

97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
Coming: FMS fuel injectors

cbsdakota
GenIII
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12/27/2001
06:24:34

RE: Slow V6s
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I think he is referring to an S-10. All I can say is: lighter and more displacement. That is the only reason they are quick.

Project QUIKV6

LI Blackdak
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2001
08:36:00

RE: Slow V6s
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Lesley, the 2000 model year (and some others i think) are limited to ~98 mph. why are you going so fast in a V6 anyway, must have taken hours to get to 110, lol. And Trevor, just about anything can go 100 if you wait long enough.



SloDak39
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2001
12:03:11

RE: Slow V6s
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I was referring to a 4.3 chevy. And allowing the engine to breathe better is still a modification. Once again, in stock form,I think they suck. And any car or truck can go fast if you modify them. I could see a regular cab 3.9 standard being pretty quick but not an extended auto IN STOCK FORM. That is the key phrase here. I think my truck is completely ball-less and if that up-sets you, too bad.If you think your truck is fast, thats great! Going from a GM 3800 powered Buick car to a dodge 3.9 was quite a shock for me, not to mention the drastic drop in reliability/quality...lol.... :C) ... 3800, now there's an engine....



Lesley
GenIII
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12/27/2001
12:12:50

RE: Slow V6s
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Doesn't upset me in the slightest! If it upsets you - why don't you sell it?

97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
Coming: FMS fuel injectors

SloDak39
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2001
12:18:49

RE: Slow V6s
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Cause if i trade it in, i lose thousands of dollars because 4x2's are worthless after only a few years and i'm not done paying for it. (mines a 99). I don't have time to sell it myself. Plus, i just spent 1000 dollars to completely rebuild the tranny at 44,000 miles!! So, i can't just sell it. Why does everyone always say that on here?? "if you don't like it, sell it."



dakkid
Dodge Dakota


12/27/2001
16:56:34

RE: Slow V6s
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then if your not gonna sell it quit whining



stealwings
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2001
22:22:09

New Injectors?
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Tell me Lesley, how did those injectors work? Or are you still waiting for them. Thanks, Greg



Lesley
GenIII
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12/28/2001
23:11:22

RE: Slow V6s
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I got them today as a matter of fact! I'll be getting them in within the week. I'm still getting used to the TB, what a great mod for the price. My dak is just so much more responsive. I'll keep you posted on the injectors, they were a very good deal, and I noticed there is another set on ebay.

97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
Coming: FMS fuel injectors

SloDak39
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2001
14:51:11

RE: Slow V6s
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No, i won't stop "whining". I don't live in a fantasy world where dodge actually spends money on quality control and my dodge actually lives up to expectations.....if you saw my stack of
invoices from trips to the useless dealer, you'd know what i'm talking about....the lack of quality wouldn't bother me so much if it actually had some power but it doesn't so its the worst of both worlds.......once again, if you don't like my opinion, don't read my posts!! :C)



Lesley
GenIII
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12/29/2001
16:08:35

RE: Slow V6s
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Sorry about your luck

http://watsonville.com/dakota/

This is a Dakota Lemon site, it belongs to a guy who had a lemon, fought Dodge, and got a new truck out of it. One he is happy with.
Good luck.

97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
Awaiting Installation: FMS fuel injectors

92blue
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2002
08:15:06

RE: Slow V6s
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Why would you buy a new Dakota with a V6 if you wanted power. I got mine used and think it is quite fast.



SloDak39
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2002
11:22:13

RE: Slow V6s
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LOL......i discovered that lemon dakota page like 2 years ago. I went through all that crap but dodge did not want to hear it. They are the most arrogant company to deal with. The Rep. that hooked him up with another truck must have been feeling generous that day because when i went through it, they would not budge on ANY issue. Mabey the guy that represents dodge in western new york state is more of a prick than most. At any rate, the warranty expired at 36,000 miles and i just had my transmission overhauled for 1000 dollars at 45,000 miles. Its needed it since 40,000 miles at least. What a joke.I bought a new vehicle so i wouldn't have to worry about any bull-crap while i was in college but it's been nothing but headaches. Haven't had time to really go after the company, no money for a lawyer and no time to get rid of it. Now i'm done with college finally and its time to send this thing on its way as long as i don't lose to much money on it. I seriously think that if i don't get rid of it soon, the next stop will be the junk yard. I'd tell you all the problems i've had but it would take to long to type right now...lol.....



Rattler
Dodge Dakota
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1/05/2002
17:50:35

RE: Slow V6s
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Hey again! Ive read ure comments and quarrels on how slow or how fast the 3.9 is, very interesting. I bought my 96, sc, 5spd new and still have it. I was very impressed with performance initially after testing the S-10 (I already ranted about the Ranger in another post). It now has close to 110,000 miles and I started to notice a slight lack in power at 80,000. Now that Ive had my Dakota for 5 years without a breakdown of any sort (bet I just jinxed myself) Im looking to do some performance mods now and am starting to feel lost after reading many of the other boards, most of wot I found is for 92 and older (gen1?) The only "major" thing I replaced is the fuel pump. Im in the mood for restoring or surpassing origional power. Im still trying to make heads or tails of the other posts as far as upgrades. My only complaint is the paint job, and strange fuel mileage. Dont know wot all this crap tho is about a weak 3.9. I had a 89 2.5 4 banger and a 5spd and it would haul a full load of wood, 1 large dog, 3 people, and camping equipment up hills with the best of em. I moved a loaded tandem axle trailer and full bed 800 miles, but I was fillin up the tiny fuel tank every 10 mins. Well, I rambled enuf for now..oh...and after driving a Freightliner with a 450hp kittycat all the time, then jumping into my Dakota, that little v6 is a screamer! Im trying really hard not to bald my $500 worth of Michelins too soon!



Rattler
Dodge Dakota


1/05/2002
18:03:41

RE: Slow V6s
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OH, one more thing...its completely stock except for the muffler, which is some cheap "turbo" thinggy (my weak attempt for getting better sound). Since its a southern truck, no rust, the stock muffler was fine for years yet, but I wanted a better sound and more power. Ive heard the v6 in mine when a weld broke infront of the cat converter and i removed the whole thing to take it to a shop to be refitted. It sounded like a v8 with straight pipe, wow it was loud! my neighbors told me they could hear me miles down the road (i lived far out in the country). I reckon its better than the time a
u-joint went bad on my 89 Dakota and a friend told me she could hear me down the street, sounded like 2 squirrels fighting!! lol



LI Blackdak
Dodge Dakota
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1/05/2002
19:28:24

RE: Slow V6s
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yeah that speed limiter thing wasnt true...tehe... just wont go over 98 in od cause it shifts at 4800 and then gets stuck at 3000 in 4th



Jacob
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2002
00:20:28

RE: Slow V6s
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My first dak was a lemon...and my second isnt slow...had it up to 110 no problem but then it is to fast for my blood





SoDak39
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2002
06:21:56

RE: Slow V6s
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Most of the people on here that say thier 3.9 trucks are quick seem to usually have a regualr cab with a 5 speed.......my auto 3.9 ext. cab is anything but quick...i'd like to get rid of it and get a V-8 dakota but i'm afraid of running into the same severe quality issues i've had with this one......and i refuse to spend thousands of dollars in power upgrades on a 175 hp V-6 when i can just start off with 230 hp in a V-8 Dakota....i think my crappy V-6 would fall apart with any more power......



Lattimer
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2002
21:07:06

RE: Slow V6s
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My V-6 is an extended cab 4x4 auto with the 31" tires and 3.92 gears. Its not slow. I beaten a lot of other trucks, including rangers and s-10's. I have about $1800 invested in performance mods, and I can hang with the 5.2's easy. The majority of the 3.9L engines are exceptionally reliable.

As far as the rest of the truck, I have heard of, and experienced a few problems, and yes, Dodge dealers suck. But, hey, you could own a Daewoo or something.

Shawn



LI Blackdak
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2002
22:15:05

RE: Slow V6s
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on the one hand i agree with slodak39 about the speed thing, but I think the 3.9s are pretty reliable, after all they are just 5.2s with two less cylinders, they just don't have the kind of power u need to move a 4100 lb truck FAST, decent, but not fast and when you have driven Grand Cherokees with V8s, you really feel the difference when u get back in ur V6 dak

I THINK 4x4s and QCs should come standard with either the new 210 hp 3.7 V6 or even just the 4.7. even the 195 hp I6 jeep 4.0 would be better



toast
Dodge Dakota


1/06/2002
23:34:13

RE: Slow V6s
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SlowDak39, I can relate about the 3800 man they are really good motors and have alot of torque to them. They put the 3.9 to shame.



greg
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2002
18:35:16

RE: Slow V6s
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my 98 v6 dak was pretty slow in stock form, but about $2000 in mods, it can smoke any stock rt..
..not too bad considering my truck only cost $13,000...



87Dakbuilder
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2002
23:17:37

RE: Slow V6s
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Slowdak39, I guess I understand what you are trying to say about your aoutmatic extended cab Dak being slow, but you have to understand that the majority of the individuals on this site, are Dak lovers. I myself have dreamed of owning a Dak since I was 16 and able to drive. (I too am from Ny) I got the chance to purchase a Dak used, I might ad, in 98, at that time it was 11 years old, the old girl is a stick and is a premagnum 3.9, so I'm only working with 128 ponies, yet she still hit's 105 quite often. What I'm trying to say is that not all Dak's are bad, ocasionally you might run into problems with one, but that can happen with any mechanical device that is mass produced. A simple solution to your problems aside from selling the truck might be to invest in a crate motor, You can get a magnum 360 for about 3500, that's fairly reasonable. Hope my little insight might have some baring on your sictuation.



SloDak39
Dodge Dakota
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1/12/2002
12:58:14

RE: Slow V6s
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Most of the Dakotas i hear from have all sorts of problems. Usually the same problems. Why for example, do the 2000 dakotas still have the same ball-joint problems as the 1997's?? Wouldn't you think they would have fixed that by now? And the pinging problems they have seems to have gone on for years. Chrysler is too cheap to fix them. And I once test drove a 98 3.9 auto ext cab 4x4 and it was even more ball-less than my truck.....



IntenseDak3.9
Dodge Dakota
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1/12/2002
15:20:37

RE: Slow V6s
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hey everyone!I am new to this and am trying to become a member (waiting for password). I just wanted to share something. Last night I ran my truck (98 rc V6 auto) at Texas Raceway in Kennedale, TX (1/8 mile)and hit 10.01!! Not to bad on street tires (275/60/r15) and a 1.012 reaction (yeah, I suck, but it was my first time!)
My truck also did the "One Wheel Wonder" half way down the track. May be with a locker and some MT Streets I could get well into the 9's..



bernd
*GenIII*
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1/12/2002
21:13:51

RE: Slow V6s
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Congrats IntenseDak! :) There's plenty more you can do to the V6...hehehehe, trust me on that one. ;)


1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged/Intercooled @ 10# w/Nitrous
14.55 @ 96.01mph

IntenseDak39
GenIII
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1/12/2002
22:10:46

RE: Slow V6s
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Reeaaally?!?!? Like what?
Actually, if I just split my reaction time in half.. I will be that much better.
Thanx for the congrats!

98 RC V6 auto modifications: LOTS ! ! !

bernd
*GenIII*
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1/13/2002
00:09:13

RE: Slow V6s
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Modified throttle body, headers, exhaust, intake system, ignition, nitrous, supercharger, cam, heads, etc. :)

BTW: The reaction time has nothing to do with the 1/4 mile time.

1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged/Intercooled @ 10# w/Nitrous
14.55 @ 96.01mph

Rio
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2002
01:31:14

RE: Slow V6s
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Earlier in this post I read that a 2000 Dakota can only go 98, that is false. I've been to 105 before I chickened out(I know I'm pathetic) and let off the gas.....Anyway, is there ANYONE that knows who I can buy a cat back system for my V6 with standard cab?



Kyle M.
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2002
02:23:29

RE: Slow V6s
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I don't know what ya'll been smoking, but the 4.3 Chevy S-10 is about as worthless as a wet 2x4. I have a 1993 3.9 all stock and haven'
t met one that could take me yet. PLain and simple, no lies, no jokes, straight truth.



LI Blackdak
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2002
02:53:34

RE: Slow V6s
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yeah u notice how the people with the lighter gen 1 and 2 daks say the V6 is powerful....wonder why....try a 4100 lb 4x4 and who ever said "i've gotten it up to a hundred no problem" what car with a speedomiter that goes that high and no speed limiter can't do 100



IntenseDak39
GenIII
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1/13/2002
09:59:49

RE: Slow V6s
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Bernd,
I've got all of that stuff except the supercharger, heads, and cam. I've even got more.
Who makes a 3.9 cam?...I've tried all the big names and they will custom grind, but that sounds to expensive.. Heads? modified stock, or does somebody make a replacement (aluminum?)?

Also, this was my first time on the track..If I were to cut my reaction time in half (from 1.012 to say .5) wouldn't that take my eight mile from a 10.01 to a 9.51, so to speek?
Thanks for the help!

98 RC V6 auto modifications: LOTS ! ! !

bernd
*GenIII*
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1/13/2002
11:13:08

RE: Slow V6s
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IntenseDak: I purchased my cam from Marty at KRC. He's got two really good grinds for the 3.9L(.472/480 and a .512/.512 grind...both ground on a 114 to keep it PCM friendly). They're about $260 for the cam. On the heads, just some port cleanup and bowl work (with a polish job on the bowls ONLY) on the stock heads. No one makes any aftermarket heads...aluminum heads would be nice, but we're not running 10:1 compression and the engines aren't built for high-rpm.

The reaction time has nothing to do with the trap times and overall MPH...it's just that - reaction time. The 1/4 mile time (or 1/8 mile) starts after you cross the last light at the staging lane.


1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged/Intercooled @ 10# w/Nitrous
14.55 @ 96.01mph

chris
Dodge Dakota
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1/13/2002
19:12:20

RE: Slow V6s
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whats does upgrading the cam do?

what does a cam do anyways?



IntenseDak39
GenIII
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1/13/2002
20:20:55

RE: Slow V6s
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Bernd,
Thanks for the info about the cam. I wish they made aluminum heads! Not for the compression but for the weight, our trucks our a little hefty on the front end.
Oh, about the cams again. Is the 512/512 streetable on a daily basis? Can you feel it in side your truck? How do you think it would work with my 1.7 rr?

Thanks for any help,again!

Oh, like I said, I don't know much about racing at a strip but I did realized the answer right after I posted!

98 RC V6 auto modifications: LOTS ! ! !

IntenseDak39
GenIII
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1/14/2002
00:20:48

RE: Slow V6s
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Chris,

what does the camshaft do?

the camshaft is the brain of your engine. it has lobes on it that when it is rotated (by the crank and timing chain),the lobes push up on the pushrod and that pushes the rocker arm on its folcrum that inturn pushes the valve open or the complete opposite (valve closed) for each and every valve exhaust or intake. phew!
did I miss any thing Bernd?

Oh, oh, and it has a gear on the back of it that rotates your oil pump and distributor rotor.

Now upgrading can do several different things;
1. open valves more (lift)
2. change amount of time valve is open (duration)
3. changes your idle
4. your powerband
5. etc,etc,etc.

hope this helps

98 RC V6 auto modifications: LOTS ! ! !

bernd
*GenIII*
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1/14/2002
00:42:11

RE: Slow V6s
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IntenseDak39: Pretty darn good explanation. :) On the "feel", after the engine hit closed-loop, it's a bit hard to "feel" it but you can definitely hear it on an odd-fire V6 like ours. Don't expect that old "Rumpty-Rumpty-Rumpty" sound like the V8's have...doesn't sound the same on odd-fire engines. Yes, it'll work with 1.7:1 rockers...but you'll need to take about .10" off of the guides for clearance and you better make sure the pushrods are the correct length (not to forget the springs are rated for the extra lift from the 1.7's and are a heavy-duty brand with retainers to match).




1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged/Intercooled @ 10# w/Nitrous
14.55 @ 96.01mph

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