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D Mac
Dodge Dakota
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6/29/2003
14:18:58
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 Subject: spark plugs and power
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Message:
I just tried the bosh platinum 4 plugs and lost about 25% of the power in my 3.9L 2000 Dakota. I've replaced these with NGK, has anyone used these? I will try the autolites next. Bottom line I find the V6 sluggish, how can I increase the power out of this engine? and do I have to reset the PCM when replacing plugs?
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duh
Dodge Dakota
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6/29/2003
15:21:54
| RE: spark plugs and power
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25%? BS. The only way spark plugs aid in making power is by firing every time they're supposed. If you weren't experiencing misfires then you didn't lose any power.
AutoLite 3923's are crap. Use any quality double platinum plug.
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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6/29/2003
15:28:01
| RE: spark plugs and power
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The Autolite 3923s are best. Make sure to get the 3923s, and not the 3924. The 3923 is one heat range colder than stock, and increases perforance slightly, although it probably wont be that noticable. If you really wanna get some more power, open up the intake stroke first thing. Get a cold air intake, OEM v8 throttle body or a F&B (if you wanna spend a good bit more), and then look into 1.7 roller rockers or an ignition system from MSD or Accel. The v8 TB is a great improvement, but id get an intake with it too. I suggest an intake from 360 Air Intakez. They are VERY good, and cheap. You cant beat them.
http://www.360airintakez.com/
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jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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6/29/2003
16:04:18
| RE: spark plugs and power
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if you lost 25% of your power just from spark plugs, then you must have forgot to put a couple of them back in.
The autolite 3923 are great, but for them to work properly you need to have a few mods on your engine. Step 1 is to get and intake and exhaust. I prefer K&N but it is pretty expensive. I have a 40 series flowmaster on my stock 2.5 inch exhaust and it works really well. (only 70 bucks or so) Step 2 would be the throttle body. A bigger TB is probably the biggest bang for the buck out there. You'll also want to get a 180 degree thermostat (unless your in a super cold climate) Those are some pretty basic ones. With some time and money there a a lot more things that you can do to get some pretty decent power from the 3.9
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J and J Auto
Dodge Dakota
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6/29/2003
17:51:27
| RE: spark plugs and power
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Message:
No you don't need to reset the PCM with a plug change
If you are stock use the Autolight A3924 or there extended tip design A5224
If you had a cold air intake than I would go 1
colder but mine ran like crap with colder plugs
untill I put the F&B 48mm TB, 1.7 rockers ram
air and the 180 thermo and headers on.
Than I tried the 3923 again and you could tell
the differance not before.
Now i did even more stroked it higher comp and
the 3923's are running nice gaped at.050 with
the MSD 6a and the MSD Blaster coil and 8.5 MSD
super conductor wires.
If you get the AP3924 with just the platnum tip
you can gap them .005 over stock and they will
run nice.
The platnum has a lower resistance to fireing so
you can get away with it and get a slightly
bigger flame front.
Larry
J&J Auto
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Boat Anchor
Dodge Dakota
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6/29/2003
22:08:14
| RE: spark plugs and power
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Larry,
That explains why my switch to 3923's on a stock 3.9 had no increase and IMO a slight decrease in responsiveness. Since then I have changed to a 180 stat, removed flap, and switched to synthetics, and I have noticed some definite improvement. I plan on the other typical intake and exhaust mods in the next month or two as I have time. Could you tell me if the v8 throttle body swap will decrease my mileage noticeably? Thank you.
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2000 3.9L dak
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2003
19:51:32
| RE: spark plugs and power
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what would i need to swap a V8 TB on my 2000 3.9L
obviuosly the TB, but do i need the throttle cable also? how about the crusie control cable?
do i use all the original hardware to bolt it down?
anything else?
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J and J Auto
Dodge Dakota
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7/01/2003
10:52:25
| RE: spark plugs and power
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Message:
It will not decrease your milage unless you have
your foot in it to much because of the performance
gain.
Just use all the sensors from your V6 body because
you know they work.
Yes bolts right on For you 00 be sure you get a
96 or newer V8 body and you may need a cable
that you need to look at to see what you have.
Cruse and trans will hook right up
Larry
J&J Auto
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Boat Anchor
Dodge Dakota
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7/01/2003
17:44:25
| RE: spark plugs and power
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Message:
Thanks Larry. I don't put my foot into it too much anymore now that I am older, and besides I have a fairly peppy 300M to drive if I want speed and handling. My all time favorite "put your foot into it" car that I have owned was a Dodge Omni GLH 2.2 Turbo, that I had back in college. That thing would snap your neck in half when the turbo kicked in, and felt like it could beat anything in a short distance. Skidpad was about 1G as I remember from articles so it handled pretty decent. Probably more fun to drive than the 69 Firebird 350 auto that I had, although you could smoke em till the cows came home with that. Later.
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gchemist
Dodge Dakota
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7/02/2003
02:11:36
| RE: spark plugs and power
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I tried the Bosch 4 prong plugs for three years. This last time I tried NGKs. So far I like them better and they costs less. Only other plug that I've seen with similiar or better flame data is Champions.
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Hexx
Dodge Dakota
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7/02/2003
11:23:39
| RE: spark plugs and power
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I have the Bosch Plats and I have noticed a difference.....but my reason is different:
All my spark plugs (old ones) were very very old and nasty....BIG carbon build up. Also, my #2 was cracked in half (but it was still sparking hehe....you could see rust forming a tad bit inbetween the gap)....but yea, not a BIG difference in performance.
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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7/02/2003
23:05:49
| RE: spark plugs and power
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Message:
Larry
i just bought a set of 3924's for my 00 3.9. Engine is stock with a Gibson Cat-Back, and a K&N filter element. I was looking at the 5224's and noticed the longer tip, should i go with those instead? as far as flame propogation, wouldnt the 3924's have a larger flame front. i know i wont end up with a "hot rod" in either case, but i dont want to end up with a "shot rod" either. Jet says using a 180 stat as this point is useless for me, whats your personal take on this?
thanks in advance.
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Joe
Dodge Dakota
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7/03/2003
03:29:20
| RE: spark plugs and power
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Too long and problems will occur.
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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7/03/2003
03:34:33
| RE: spark plugs and power
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Ive got very few mods, and I have the 180 thermostat, and I havent noticed any bad effects from it. I think every little bit helps. Just my 2 cents.
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J and J Auto
Dodge Dakota
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7/03/2003
07:50:00
| RE: spark plugs and power
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Message:
Some trucks react differant to the 180 thermo
All you can do is give it a try it helps in most
trucks.
The 3924 or 5224 will both work, the 5224 is what
Mopar would call a truck plug. I am running the 39
series right now but have tried the 52 and there
is no dif I noticed.
Larry
J&J Auto
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bigb7000
Dodge Dakota
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7/03/2003
22:53:19
| RE: spark plugs and power
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I have tried the 3923 and they did not work good for daily driving... I would say track use wide open throttle... They seemed to foul to easy after slow traffic on the highway coming home from work...
I have the 180 t-stat, K&N air intake, Magnaflow, Car Sound cat, All new exhaust pipe...
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chingachang
Dodge Dakota
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7/05/2003
07:35:41
| RE: spark plugs and power
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Message:
Autolite 3923's>>>#1 ricer mod
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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7/05/2003
14:40:14
| RE: spark plugs and power
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Message:
How in the hell is getting a colder heat range plug the #1 ricer mod? Do tell!
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