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V6 Dakotas
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Jimmie
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2004
17:57:31
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 Subject: mod questions
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First, I own a '99 Ram 1500 with a 3.9. I know the 3.9 is definitely not the best engine on the market, but it what I've got. Second, I know this is a Dakota page, and I apologize for bringing a Ram into it.
Getting right to the point, I want a little more power, at least enough for 5th gear to get me down the road. 2 mods that will probably be in my future are a K&N Aircharger and a hotter coil. I live in the sticks, so the Aircharger won't cause any trouble. I want pulleys, but I don't know which ones to get, and I would really like a 3 pulley kit (crank, alternator and water pump) if possible. Any suggestions?
I've heard that putting a V8 throttle body on the V6 can do wonderful things, but I've also heard that it can kill torque. Which is it?
I've got about 110K miles on my engine and it's been through a lot, so major mods without a rebuild are out. Do the options about sound about right, or am I just spitting into the wind? And are there any other mods I might be able to consider, without rebuilding the engine?
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J-Man
Dodge Dakota
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3/02/2004
18:08:42
|  RE: mod questions
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Jimmie,
I too have a Ram 1500 w/ the 3.9, so I know what you are going through. Two weeks ago I did a port and polish on my existing throttle body. I didn't want to shell out for a V8 TB, and I had also heard that it can hurt the low end torque (something that we don't have a lot of to spare!), so I decided to just try the port and polish first. All it cost was $1.87 for a new TB gasket and a couple hours of my time. Since I don't have a dremmel, I just used a rat-tail file and did it by hand. I filed down the torque steps and sanded it all up smooth. If you do a search for it, there is a good post by Larry a while back where he shows good pictures. Anyway, since then, I have definately noticed a little bit more spunk in the old girl. It's still a V6, but I noticed a difference. With an less restrictive intake, I think I would notice even more (that's in the works now). For what it cost, it was well worth it. Just took her on an 1500 km trip this past weekend and figure I got close to 24 MPG. If you want to know more about it, I would be happy to talk to you about it some more. I would recommend doing it though. I notice on the hills now that I can hold speed a lot better. Plus having the TB off and being able to clean everything up just makes you feel better about the condition it is in. Let me know if you need any more info.
J-Man
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GB2000
GenIII
3/02/2004
21:43:52
| RE: mod questions
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Open up the exhaust...get a better flowing muffler (Flowmaster or Dynomax are both very popular, but there's others out there). Get a new throttle body. You won't lose torque if you get a modified V6 tb. Fastman or F&B. F&B costs the most, but you'll also get more gains out of it. Relocate your IAT sensor. Get a K&N air filter or the equivalent. Change out your stock 195*F thermostat and put in a 180*F thermostat. Get 1.7 roller rockers. Ummm... Get a Superchips Programmer if it works for Rams. I think it does. Brass cap and rotor from NAPA...better wires, Autolite 3923's with the platinum tip (spark plugs one range cooler than stock...gapped at .045 I think...maybe. You'll have to ask someone else bout that).
Josh
Red 98 RC V6 2wd Single in/dual out exhaust (soon to be switched to a flowmaster 40 single in/dual out), s-bolt "mod", Edelbrock 10" round air cleaner w/ K&N air filter, removed rubber flap...and more to come
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Baby Blue Dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2004
10:17:57
| RE: mod questions
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I was wondering where i could get a new computer to boost the hp of my 99 Dakota Sport it has the 3.9 i was also wondering how much hp it has at stock i just bought her and she is doing great i just wanna get enough hp eventually and torque to beat some mustangs
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GB2000
GenIII
3/03/2004
11:42:47
| RE: mod questions
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Superchips programmer... they don't make any pcm's for the gen 3 daks. Cept the jet performance chip...it doesn't replace the pcm and you can get the same effects as it without spending any money and an hour of your time (crank position sensor mod). Sure beats paying $300 (or something like that) for a Jet chip.
Josh
Red 98 RC V6 2wd Single in/dual out exhaust (soon to be switched to a flowmaster 40 single in/dual out), s-bolt "mod", Edelbrock 10" round air cleaner w/ K&N air filter, removed rubber flap...and more to come
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jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2004
12:07:22
| RE: mod questions
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A new intake and better exhaust are both gong to help quite a bit. Just don't go with too big of an exhaust because that will kill some low end. My dak had stock 2 1/2" pipes, so i put a higer flow muffler on. Worked well. I went with a K&N intake, and i'm very happy with that also. As for new Thottle bodies, there are several options. 1. A port and polished V6. 2. A stock V8. 3. polishing the one you currently have up a bit. Most everyone will tell you that option 1 is the best way to go, but it is the most expensive. Many people are happy with a stock V8 TB, but TOO big isn't good. That's not to say it will be any worse then what you have now, simply that it isn't the best way to go. I chose to go with a Fastman V6. But before i did that I tinkered with my own a bit, like J man said. Basically just look down from the top and take off anything and everything that disrupts the air flow. There are a ton of other little things you can do to get the most of the little guy.
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Steve calabro
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2004
12:48:13
| RE: mod questions
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J-Man, could you please tell me everything you have done to get 24mpg out of your truck, ive got a 96 v6 5 speed 4x4 and only get, i figure, about 15-18mpg. but my gas gague doesnt work rite now. but anyway, tell me what you have done and maybe where i can get this stuff from. thanks, Steve
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