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92dak
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2005
21:18:42

Subject: 92 5.2 performance mods (again)
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I know there are dozens of posts out there exactly the same but this is mainly a run through of some of my ideas and what some of the experienced guys suggest.

The engine is mainly stock besides for a K&N filter and different wires.

I don't have a ton of money to spend (though i have some) to make my dakota faster. It's a 92 CC 5.2/auto and here are some of my ideas.

1. High flow cat and muffler and a 3" single exhuast.

I was originally thinking of headers and true duals but I keep hearing the 92 manifolds are some of the best manifolds ever made for the 318. I can save some cash with going with a single exhuast setup since it is one less cat and muffler to buy.

2. A Mopar PCM

If anyone has one that will work with my 92 then feel free to contact me.

3. Porting my throttle body (or a junker)

I'm not exactly sure on how I will go about this so information on it would be appreciated. If anyone has an extra one or a larger one then feel free to contact me if you want me to take it off your hands.

4. 2bbl M1 intake

I have a feeling I'll need this with a bigger tb and mopar pcm to fully appreciate the power gains.


Anything else I should be looking into or even maybe a critique of my current ideas?





Wadak
GenIII
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2/23/2005
23:36:45

RE: 92 5.2 performance mods (again)
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I have a 92 5.2 4x4, here is what I did, just for example, open element air cleaner with the K and N air filter, Flow master 70 series with 3in from the cat back, modified my existing throttle body removed the torque step, cutoff the air horns and thinnned the throttle shaft this yields a true 50mm throttlebody. I running a msd system with accel 300 wires and autolite ap3923's
gapped to .055 thousands factory is .035. I running a modified thottle position sensor or TPS set to 1volt. I'm also running a 180 deg. thermostat, stage 2 jet chip. I also have the fuels sync set as close to 0 as I can get it, the factory setting is usually se to -6. Doing the crank position sensor mod also. Do your mods in this order:
1. Upgrade your air cleaner first, even if you just replace the element in the stock air cleaner.
2. Do the exhaust, this would be a good time to change to a high flow cat along with the muffler and 3 inch exhaust all the way back, this gave me the biggest noticeable improvement.
3. Upgrade your ignition, even if you just go to a hotter coil, then get the autolite 3923 and gap them to .045, consider an MSD-6a (around 150.00) to go with you set up.
4. Install a 180 degree thermostat, the computer in your truck is actually designed to make it's max power at 180, 195 is used for emissions, you might loose a little gas mileage this way, but you shouldn't have pinging problems.
5. The do the crank position sensor mod, this will advance base timing 3 or 4 degrees, a real nice improvement.
6. Either modify your existing throttlebody as mentioned above or consider purchasing one from the fastman he will want your thottlebody in exchange.
7. Consider a jetchip stage 2, I read some where that a Jeep Grand Cherokee with a K and air filter, low restriction muffler, 180 deg. thermostat and stage 2 jet chip was good for a total increase of 65 rwhp.

It doesn't take alot to get the 318 close to 300 horse at the crank. If you swing it money wise, go with the 1.7 roller rockers, the harland sharps are the best and easiest way to go. Hope this helps.

92 and 97 Daks both with many mods.

Sneezer
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2005
23:45:19

RE: 92 5.2 performance mods (again)
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I did something similar to Wadak, although mine is still a work in progress. 92 318 as well. I have an M1, Mopar PCM, home ported TB, MSD 6AL and BlasterSS coil, K&N drop in air filter, removed the weather guard plate on the intake tube behind the grill, relocated IAT sensor. Really woke up the truck. The M1 was the only thing I paid close to retail on, everything else was on ebay.

I have the following stuff waiting to go on: Lincoln MarkVIII fan conversion, March underdrive pulleys, 1.7 Crower rockers, Mopar RT cam, Mopar/DT headers, 4.10 gears and a Mopar LSD.

The 92-93 manifolds are the best stock manifolds. The Mopar/DT headers are even better, but look to spend about $450 shipped for a set. Stock exhaust is 3" on the 92. Get a Magnaflow or Borla ProXS muffler. Both are less than $100 and are near the top in power gains. High flow cat will run around $60 or so. Have a local exhaust shop do your pipes - cheaper than buying a cat back.

I have a writeup on how I ported my TB. I'll try and find it for you.



MeanGreen93
Dodge Dakota
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2/24/2005
02:18:34

RE: 92 5.2 performance mods (again)
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Hey Sneezer, I want to know how the MarkVIII fan works for you. I posted on it lastweek and got nothing. I live in Az, so you know I am looking for a good solution. As far as cheap mods go, I did a Flowmaster DeltaII 40 series, Edelbrock 10" open air with a K&N 10"x2" filter for clearance issues. JBA headers and true Duals coming up real soon.



92dak
Dodge Dakota
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2/24/2005
12:20:11

RE: 92 5.2 performance mods (again)
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Thanks guys, that kind of information is exactly what i was looking for. I forgot about that weather guard plate on the air intake tub, I ment to take that off a while ago.

I'll start off with my exhuast, then a MSD-6a, thermostat, throttle body, and then the m1 intake. I'll let everyone know how it comes out, I'll probably start sometime next week.

I'm just glad to hear that it only takes a little amount to get the 318 to 300 hp.



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