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MoPowa
Dodge Dakota
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6/27/2005
23:36:55
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 Subject: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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Which mod would yield me the best results? I'm looking for reliability, drivability, and performance. I have an '04 2wd CC with a 3.55 LSD and the 4.7 V8. I'm thinking about going with 4.11's for gears ($350 for R&P/Overhaul Kit + $200-$250 for installation = $550-$600 Total). I think I'm going to go with the Mopar Cams ($250-$350 for parts + ? Labor) versus the KRC Performance version.
1. For the most bang for your buck, which mod and why?
2. How much is the labor for a cam install?
3. BuyMopar.com says performance will not improve for 2003+ 4.7's with Cam/Intake Manifold.
http://www.buymopar.com/store/magnum.html
(Near bottom of page)
How true is this and has anyone done this mod on an '04? (re: Cams)
4. Where do you see the difference? Low-end? Mid range? Top end? (re: Cams)
Thanks.
Current Performance Mods: Magnaflow muffler, 360 Air Intakez PS
Installing soon: F&B 70mm TB, MBRP Custom Split Duals
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
 
6/28/2005
00:15:01
|  RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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Most gears will be 4.10's, but that's about the exact same thing.
I did HO CAMS first because it was cheapest and easiest.
Cheap being a little under $300 and a few easy hours work.
The gears cost a little more for me because I have a 4X4 and need a set for front and rear plus the LSD. I'm looking at approx $800 for that doing labor myself.
I guess doing it all yourself, gears or cam would be about the same if yours already has a LSD diff.
I bet youd see as much perf diff with either ones. Maybe even MORE from the gears.
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Dakota5.2
Dodge Dakota
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6/28/2005
12:12:05
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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I'd vote for the cam. The right cam would increase the hp and torque across the range of the power curve. I wouldn't go too radical. The guys here on the site can give you a better idea of what cam to buy.
Dakota5.2
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Kowalski
GenIII
6/28/2005
17:08:15
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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Performance will improve throughout the rpm range with the HO cams, its the manifold that won't make much difference. The cam swap offers most of the torque gain of the whole HO package. For many of us, labor for the cam install was free; we did it ourselves. Much has been written about that on this site if you do a search (good acount if you click on Graphite's pic too I think). You'll see more of a performance gain with the gear change though.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
6/30/2005
00:56:33
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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"You'll see more of a performance gain with the gear change though."
That's what I'm thinking. And I haven't even done the gear swap on the Dak yet. :p
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Crow318
Dodge Dakota
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6/30/2005
10:59:41
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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Definatly go with the gears.
They may be more money, but I believe that the change made by the gears will be more pronounced. I have been waiting for a good deal on gear sets as I have to buy 2 sets (front and rear).
I am not sure why dodge even put the 3.55 gears in the dakota. They certainly didnt help mileage any.
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Brandon
Dodge Dakota
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7/03/2005
20:58:49
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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I have a 2003 QC with a 3.55 ratio. Whats happens when you change the gear ratio to 3.95 or 4.10. Does it hurt your gas mileage? Birthday money is coming up and I need a whole lot more torque from my 3.9L. My dads 3.7L Van makes more power then my truck does. What the heck is up with that?
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/04/2005
09:04:18
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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That's called taking advantage of technology. The 3.7 was built to tighter tolerances, with a lighter valve train and lighter reciprocating parts. Maybe higher compression too ?
Some of us have found a slight increase in gas milage with the gear swap. I went from 3.55 to 4.10 and picked up close to 1 mpg.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
7/04/2005
15:31:48
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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Isn't the 3.7 more a take off of the 4.7 OHC?
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Josh
Dodge Dakota
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7/04/2005
18:04:45
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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3.7 is kinda like the 4.7 with two cylinders chopped off. Many pieces and parts will interchange.
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RaZoR1
Dodge Dakota
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7/04/2005
18:44:09
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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Finally got back to the track. 4.10's got me about 3 to 4 tenths on average. Not sure what the cams would do but i was happy!
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Andrew
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2005
18:01:43
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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I would go with the gears for sure, you won't see much gain with just the H.O. cams and the gears will get you better mileage also. Do some bigger cams later, like 206 or bigger. The H.O. cams aren't worth the gain vs price ratio anymore. When they were $53 a cam then it was worth it but now you can't find them for less than $200 not including labor if you don't install yourself.
Andrew
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Copterfixer
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2005
18:48:25
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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my next truck mod will be vacuum the carpet.
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044.7
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2005
22:47:42
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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Andrew is right. I e-mailed buymopar.com and the dude told me for an 04' you will have to go with a more extreme cam. Mopar H.O. cams will not give you much more power. I am contemplating cams but I want a dealer to do it for warranty reasons.
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/25/2005
16:09:27
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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044.7 - why do you believe what you were told ? Has there been a change in the stock cam specs ? If not, that's a bunch of B.S.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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7/25/2005
21:25:22
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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I found the HO cam swap to be worth every penny. For everyday driving, the HO cams are way more fun than the stock pair. Of course, air intake/TB mod/y-pipe/hi-flow cat./Flow w/duals compounded the effect. My '01 RC 4.7 5-spd 3:92LSD delivers 19-20 mpg; "cake-and-eat-it-too".
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044.7
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/26/2005
12:38:48
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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I was stating what I was told. Mopowa was told the same thing.
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Kowalski
GenIII
7/26/2005
17:00:34
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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Some of us like to stop and think about things before simply parroting back what we are told - that way we sift through the info to find what is right or wrong. I've heard that going to the HO cams in a 4.7 will give you most of the torque gain of the whole HO package, and after swapping them in my truck and listening to feedback from others (some who have dynoed) I believe that. I believe that is true for all 4.7s; unless they changed the specs for the cams in the newer trucks. To the best of my knowledge, they have not. Other cams are out there that will give you higher peak power; but the fact remains - the HO cams will give you more power thrughout the whole rpm range.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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GraphiteDak
GenIII
7/26/2005
21:32:16
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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What is funny is you can go to 10 dealers and get 10 different opinions. I think a lot of dealer mechanics don't know jack sometimes.
Just like many didn't know Dodge changed the 5-45RFE transmission program from the earlier 45RFE.
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Andrew
Dodge Dakota
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7/30/2005
22:12:02
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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The H.O. cam is pretty weak without mods, it will help but for the $200+ just for the cams and price of install you are looking at getting the better 206+ cam price range. I have the H.O. cams and they aren't bad for what I paid for them. But if you really want some power go look at the bigger cams that Krc or "The Fastman" sells.
Andrew
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Dakada
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2005
17:18:01
| RE: Next Mod: Gears or HO Cams
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What did they change in the 545rfe program I have a 04 and I hate the way it skips 3rd at WOT explain DC thinking or lack there of on that one. I believe it would make my truck a good bit quicker if it would hit 3rd. Is there anyway to make it shift into 3rd at WOT it shifts perfect at anything less than 1/2 throttle.
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