| From | Message |
jb1000br
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/24/2003
14:24:29
|
 Subject: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
Hi, new here--just bought an 02 SXT 3.9L auto and Im wandering what mods i can do to increase gas mileage over the 15mpg i am getting now, and increase performance at the same time.
im thinking in this order:
3923 plugs
K&N filtercharger
exhaust
any other ideas for mods to do what i am looking for???
TIA,
Jason
|
daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/24/2003
15:17:09
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
V8 TB
1.7 RR's
|
J and J Auto
GenII
10/24/2003
16:52:52
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
The colder plugs may hurt your gas mileage unless
you use a V8 body and a 180 thermostat they will
hurt mileage in most trucks.
I would go with the AP3924 or the AP5224 and gap .005
over factory recommendations The extended 52 series
plug will run cooler at the tip due to the incoming charge
hitting the tip. better low end with these plugs
The only way you can take advantage of the platinum
tip plug is with a bigger gap. That is do to the lower
resistance it takes to fire over crome nickel std plug
In my truck the standard plug runs perfect tan color at
.048 .050 the platinum I am running at .060 with my
MSD system
The cold air intake will help mileage and throttle response
due to the small amout of advance the computer will give
you reading colder air, it will also dump more fuel and give
you a little more power
I see the 1.7's mentioned above but most dealers will
not honor the warrantee when internal engine mods
are done.
You can change the Throttle body and it will not effect
your warrantee, If you do the body and cold air than yes
go with the AP3923 plug they do not make a 5223 so
that is not an option.
You don't need to spend 2 or $300 for a fancy cat back
system there is no more to be gained there than just
changing out the muff with a lower restriction unit
Dynomax 17748 or a flowmaster 50 2.5 in out with
a factory tail
The superchips micro tuner is an excellent computer
upgrade for the 6, We have installed 3 on the 6's so
far and found out that 2 of the 3 ran great on just
89 oct fuel 1 went to 92 because of a slight ping and
all 3 had better power and gained 1 to 3 mpg on
the highway because of the timing advance the give you
Another great mileage mod is a tonno cover, I have the
Extang tuff tonno and its great gained 1 mpg on my truck
but on a stock truck people gain anywhere from 1 to 3
on the highway.
Larry
J&J Auto
|
atvnut808
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/30/2003
18:48:19
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
This is a nice cheap way to up your gas mileage, and a little boost on power. I came up with a $52 K&N Intake, It took me 16 minutes to make and install on my '01 Dak 3.9 It most likely will fit on other Dak's... I put them all up on my webpage... Including pics... I know this probably isnt the best way to do it, but I have already had a bunch of people ask me how much K&N charged me for the system, guess it looks pretty pro style... The page is http://www.geocities.com/atvnut808/intake.html
I am getting about 3 miles more per gallon, and the truck has a lot better pick up and higher end power. The little thing will spin the tires off the stop light now, and everytime you hit the gas I get a nice little "pssshhh" Letting me know that the little lady is enjoying being able to breath. Go to the site, and tell me whatyou guys think! Any questions feel free to email me.
Rob
http://www.geocities.com/atvnut808/intake.html
|
AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
10/31/2003
08:28:52
|  Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants = Better MPG
IP: Logged
Message:
Fuel economy can be very difficult for the consumer to accurately gauge. If you fill up at a warmer part of the day one week compared to the previous week you can sometimes see a huge fluctuation in MPG just based on that. Also, the pump may have stopped pumping sooner this week compared to last, making it "seem" like you used less (or more) gallons of fuel.
It has been proven by Amsoil (and other leading oil manufacturers and suppliers) through use of industry accepted fuel economy tests, field demonstrations (and as witnessed by most of our customers), that switching to synthetic oils and lubricants can (and does) improve fuel economy (mpg).
Also, you did not mention what oil viscosity that you are currently using. Depending upon your driving habits, conditions, and climate ... switching viscosities can improve fuel economy also. I've observed a MPG increase when switching grades (5w-30 compared to 10w-40).
Tighter government regulations and increases in engine manufacturers’ demands are calling for more fuel efficient lubricants. Amsoil Synthetic Motor Oils reduce friction and drag better than petroleum oils, resulting in significant fuel economy increases. In a recent 1.2 million mile demonstration, AMSOIL Lubricants showed a 4.5% increase in gas mileage. Other tests have shown increases of as much as 15% under certain weather and driving conditions. Yet, because every vehicle is different, as are driving habits and conditions, it is difficult to accurately project an exact increase.
__________________________________________________
To request a FREE Amsoil Catalog click the following link.
Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products
|
J and J Auto
GenII
10/31/2003
12:57:59
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
I noticed that I don't get as bad a drop in the
cold weather running synthetics they flow better
when cold.
Going from 70 80 degrees to 30 40 I only droped 1
used to lose 2 2.5 mpg in the cold
I did gain 1.5 mpg by swithing all the fluids
over all.
89,000 on the truck 9,000 on the stroker motor
now and runs great. last high way check 22.3 mpg
95 4X4 Auto
Larry
J&J Auto
|
Jer
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/01/2003
09:02:15
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey atvnut808,
I checked out your filter idea and that looks pretty neat.
Do you just leave the filter hanging there and rattling around or do you strap that baby down to anything?
|
Ed
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/03/2003
16:23:45
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a tonneau cover, an Airaid cold air intake, and a flowmaster 50 series. I have gained 3 to 4 miles per gallon highway and 2 to 3 city. I have seen the 20 miles per gallon out of my 3.9 on the highway. I have heard that the V-8 throttle body does make the dealer's stomach turn, some will not honor the warenty.
|
jadams
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/03/2003
20:44:26
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
Where can I find a good deal on a v8 tb?
|
Ed
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/04/2003
09:07:10
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
You might wnat to try to find one in a junk yard, but you can buy them new from Holley, or aftermarket from a number of manufactures. I have heard you might also want to get a cable set, the one on a standard 3.9 will not fit the v-8.
|
jadams
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/04/2003
18:38:16
|  RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
thanks.Actually my cables feel a little loose now.I had already modified my TB and put it in.I was doing my tune up and noticed that my cables felt a bit loose.Am I able to tighten those?
|
J and J Auto
GenII
11/04/2003
20:31:02
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
The cables do have some play that's normal
A new TB from Chrysler is around $180 Used
anywhere from $50 to $125 cable new $34
If you run into a dickhead dealer and they see a
used TB they freak out but a new one they would
never notice unless the mesure it.
Larry
J&J Auto
|
Ed
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/06/2003
10:57:57
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
Mine actually says Holley V-6 stamped onto it, I know some dealers will look if they take the air hat off the throttle body for some reason. You might want to wait if your truck is still under the warenty. The cable thing, the guy's at J & J are right, a little play is probbly a good thing, just so it fits, a friend of mines was actually too short to reach.
I do believe there is a way to tighten that down on some models I know there should be a screw/catch that can be adjusted on some earlier models, what year is yours?
|
jadams
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/06/2003
18:28:16
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a 2001.I had my TB motified by fastman.
|
jadams
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/06/2003
18:34:50
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
I also have another issue.I was on a different forum reading and thought i saw somenone saying that the 180 thermo hurt his gas mileage.I put one in when I did my tune up and my gas mileage has gone down.Is there anything else i could do or do I just make the sacrifice?
|
Ed
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/07/2003
10:57:50
|  RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
Well, I am not familiar with fastman's modifications. The thermostat could possibly reduce your gas milage, but I am clueless as to how it does it. I bet the guy's from J&J would know. You might want to invest in a bed cover. Sportmasters out of Newton Falls Ohio makes a good soft cover for about 150 to 200 dollars. They are no drill, they just clamp on, and are pretty sturdy. I have had two, both on my Dakotas, and saw a gain of about 2 miles per gallon average. If you want to go real expensive and don't plan to haul large amounts of stuff you can get one of those fiberglass covers, they look good and usually can help even more with gas milage. The largest help I have had was to reduce my throttle pressure during city driving. I saved about 1 MPG to 2 MPG's by just making a consious effort not to stomp on the petal every time a light changes.
|
jay
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/08/2003
11:19:12
| RE: What mods for best gas mileage and perf.
IP: Logged
Message:
Hi all. 2003 3.9L SXT. All I have done is K&N filter and Flowmaster muffler and the worst I get now is 17.3mpg. Sept trip to NHIS netted 20.5mpg. One question, increase torque - will the increase TB size from F&B over Fastman be better for the low end torque or worse?
Jay
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
