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matt
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2006
20:31:16
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 Subject: 95 dakota 5.2 power loss
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I just got a new (to me anyway) 1995 Dakota SLT 5.2 auto 4x4 ext. cab with 175,000 miles to replace my 87 3.9 4x4 Dakota. The body and int. are in great shape and it runs and drives very nice and every thing works. The only thing is it don't have near the power a V8 should have. It just had a tune up with plugs,wires and all that good stuff. It doesn't smoke,ping or buck while driving. Is the power loss just come with the miles or is there other things I should be checking? Please give me your advice.
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toolfan
GenIII
2/17/2006
20:40:16
|  RE: 95 dakota 5.2 power loss
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Message:
sounds like my truck when i got it.
the cat could be plugged.
clean you throttle body, make a home made Cold air intake, and do a exhaust system or just replace the muffler with a performance one.
i did that and it really wake up the truck. runs great now and has 154k miles.
if the truck has a carb than that could be you problem to.
the intake exhaust set me back $150 but was well worth it.
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matt
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2006
20:57:26
| RE: 95 dakota 5.2 power loss
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I've been thinking about doing something with the exhaust to get a nice deep mellow tone, nothing too loud. But first I would like to make sure there isn't something like a bad sensor,fuel pump or ??? before sticking money into mods. This thing would hardly spin the tires from a dead stop if I floor it. Not that I care to beat on it all the time but I just wanted to see if it had any power. It hesitates when you floor it while driving too.
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Peter
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2006
04:38:05
| RE: 95 dakota 5.2 power loss
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Hey Matt , I agree with the toolman here , I think you have exhaust flow issues . I`m in Alberta where we can let our exhaust run free . I just picked up a 93 with the 318 and it too seemed a little under-powered . When I looked , it was still the original exhaust at over 150,000 miles , looking at it , it looked good. Removed the cat and replaced the muffler with a magnaflow , now it sounds just like an R/T and man does it go now , very impressive . Tha cat can be checked by hitting it with your hand , it shouldn`t rattle , if it does , the inside has deteriorated and is possibly restricted . Half of mine was eaten away and a large ball was rattling around , this was half the internal screens let go . Same can happen to baffles inside the muffler also , they collapse . At your milage and from how your truck runs , a new exhaust sounds like it might work . Air can`t flow with no where to go and that means no power!! Too bad your not here , I got mine done for $75 incl. the muffler , nice to know ppl .
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matt
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2006
08:13:07
| RE: 95 dakota 5.2 power loss
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Message:
Thanks guys.It does look like the exhaust is original. The truck was in FL up to 2001 so it doesn't have any rust under the truck like most WI trucks would have. I had magnaflows on my 94 Z28 and loved them. Where can I find a sound clip with mags? I will check the cat when it warms up (-15 before the windchill).
Pete, what magnaflow muffler did you use. Thanks.
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Peter
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2006
21:50:22
| RE: 95 dakota 5.2 power loss
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Geez Matt , wish I knew , my buddy owns the mufffler shop and he`s gone to the mountains sledding . I got it for $50 but it retailed for $120 . What`s your milage like . I filled mine up {22 gal.}I should get about 280 miles out of it , but take into consideration I`ve been pretty heavy on the pedal listening to the new exhaust . I had a 70 chevelle 11 yrs till last fall , I miss the sound . My 325ci is cool , lots of power and fast , but not the rummble of a v-8 . My lastest project is a 85 GMC , 396 , 6 speed vette tranny , 373 posi . Got a 89 suburban frt clip and lowered 2 inches . It`s almost ready to paint . Matt , if you like , feel free to e-mail me and I can send a photo to you of the exhaust/muffler . peter-r-pike@hotmail.com
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Dudeman
Dodge Dakota
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2/20/2006
23:38:37
| RE: 95 dakota 5.2 power loss
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Message:
Hey Matt I had a 95 at one time that lost power too. The intake gasket between the head and intake had split. You can't visually check this as you can the belly pan gasket. The tipoff for me was a low commpression test number in one cylinder due to oil gumming up the rings. You should visually check the belly pan gasket too, as this is a common problem with this year truck. Remove the air filter housing, prop the throttle wide open, take a flashlight and look into the intake, any oil puddles or residue indicates bad belly pan gasket. It's a reasonably simple and affordable fix for either one. Good luck.
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matt
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2006
19:44:55
| RE: 95 dakota 5.2 power loss
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I will check the intake and belly pan gaskets asap. I have not drove it enough to know what it's getting mpg. I did order a flowmaster 50 series muffler. The org. one did look bad. I was also thinking of gutting the cat if it's bad. I don't want the exhaust to be much louder so I hope the 50 series won't be too bad. Will I lose more bottom end with the cat gutted or should I buy a new cat?
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2006
19:56:36
| RE: 95 dakota 5.2 power loss
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buy a new hiflow cat like Catco or something, you'll get better performance and still be emissions legal.
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matt
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2006
20:28:26
| RE: 95 dakota 5.2 power loss
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Message:
Thanks daddio. I really would like to stay legal.Where can I find catco and how are they compaired to the magnaflow or dynomax cats that I can get from jegs for around $90.00? I read in other post that too much flow can make you lose low end power. Is that true? I might put the plow off my old 87 dakota on this truck. I don't want to lose any bottom end power that I'll need for plowing.
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