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Blue Twister
Dakota Enthusiast
 
7/29/2001
10:09:29
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 Subject: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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I was wondering since I got duals and a Edelbrock 14" open element what mods should I look into next.I guess more bang for the buck would suit me just fine.Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Thanks!!
99RC4x4/5.2L MasterCraft Coursers MT 32x11.50s
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
7/30/2001
08:50:18
|  RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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I read this board (and the Dakoata Mailing List), took a ton of notes, asked questions and finally spent almost $4000 on 5.2 upgrades (M1 intake, MP PCM, MP CAM, MP Headers, MP Cat back, Flowmetrics TB, CarSound Cat, and on and on).
WASTE OF MONEY!
In my experience, the best thing you can do for a 5.2 is trade it in for a truck with a different engine - or just leave it alone. It eats money like it eats gas.
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rEID tARDO
Dodge Dakota
7/30/2001
11:13:54
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Supposedly the flowmetrics throttle body and an electric fan are great "bang for the buck" mods.
Dont listen to 4x4 tony, he is just bitter.
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kota4bye
Dodge Dakota
7/30/2001
11:36:51
|  RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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See my Dyno Results post on the general board. The TB should wake it up. Be careful with an electric fan, from what I've read the 5.2 is hard to keep cool on hot days with traffic and AC.
Kota
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Mikex70x
Dodge Dakota
7/30/2001
19:17:09
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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4x4 Why did't you just sink that 4k into a vortech s/c and a few bolt ons. My frined did that on his 4x4 97 5.2l his flys. He spent apx 4,300 total on mods and is running low 14s.
------------------------
1999 CC 4x4 5.2l 3.55ls
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surferpug
Dodge Dakota
7/30/2001
20:31:40
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Hey tony, you're just bitter cause you fell into Mopar's trap and purchased mainly mopar performance parts. Don't get be wrong they do add performance but hey you sure did overpay for those parts when the same aftermarket parts are usu 30-40 dollars cheaper
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
7/31/2001
08:38:35
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Bitter? You got that right.
The Black Magic was the best part of all the crap I added. No problems at all sitting in Detroit traffic in 95 degrees with the A/C on full blast. Although I’m sure the bigger 180 T-stat fitted in the M1 helps it out a lot.
Superchargers – That was my first thought. However, if I read the posts for just this year alone I see Powerdyne breaks belts, Paxton's quality has gone to pot, "lots" of 5.2 guys are unhappy with their Kenne-Bell and Bernd cannot, in good conscience, recommend Vortech after bad experiences he had with them.
Mopar Parts – I got them at a deep, deep discount, so I didn’t overpay. I matched the prices I paid to the "real" parts (Comp Cam 2030, Postive Performance headers, Gibson exhaust, Crane roller rockers, etc.) and I paid less. And now, if something breaks - like the rocker stud that snapped last week - the dealer not only replaces the part, but they do the work under warranty too.
I’m torqued off that all of these mods had so very little impact on the engine. Especially when I continually read posts that “this will really wake up the 5.2” and the “5.2 just loves that.”
I suppose it’s possible that I bought the one CarSound Converter shipped with a solid brick, the one M1 that Randy machined wrong, the one FlowMetrics 52mm TB that came out at 23mm, the one MP Exhaust with a muffler full of sand, the one set of headers that Mike didn’t Mandrel bend, the one MP Cam with no lobes and the one MP PCM that was accidentally programmed for a ’81 Mirada. And 8 spark plugs with non-conductive electrodes.
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kota4bye
Dodge Dakota
7/31/2001
12:04:45
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Tony,
What kind of numbers are you running? Have you dyno'd the truck at all? If you've read the DML you've seen Jon Smith's 318 pulling 344rwh. 4k isn't going to turn your 4x4 into a Lightning killer, but you have to have seen some gains.
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
7/31/2001
12:58:06
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Haven't been on a Dyno. To be honest, I don't really care about the numbers (and don't want to spend anymore $$ on this slug to find them out), I just wanted it to move. Specifically, I wanted it to leave S-10s and Rangers and “plain” full sizers behind. I know it can’t touch Lightnings and Sierra C3s and the like, but shouldn’t all of these upgrades have at least brought it into the realm of a plain, stock RT? The only reason I didn’t get an RT to start with is that I want (need, actually) 4WD.
Right now, it’s in the shop getting that rocker stud replaced (MP had to send the entire kit – rockers, push rods, etc. – to get one stud. What a hoot.), so they gave me a 4cyl. Cavalier loaner. That things feels like it could runs circles around my Dak. WTF.
Is there something that could be so out of whack that it’s negating everything I’ve done?
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aggie97
Dodge Dakota
7/31/2001
19:58:39
|  RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Tony, you should be seeing all kinds of gains with your mods. The only thing I can think of is that the engine is down on compression and mods are not going to help if you can't get good pressures. run a few compression tests on the cylinders and see what you have. This won't cost much and it will definetly give you alot of insight into the reason you are sluggish. Also, check for air leaks in the intake gaskets or other vacuum areas. If you are bleeding vacuum, you will not gain horsepower. I currently have a 5.9L QC 4x4 and all the vehicles you listed except for the lightning and C3 are no competition. All I have is the gibson catback. Granted the 5.9 has more torque, which you need with the 4x4, but the 5.2 runs good too. Also, check your fan clutch and make sure it is not permanantly locked up as this creates an unbelievable drag. Hopefully this will help you out some.
blue twister, look at the 1.7 rockers, TB, Mike Leach headers, and a catback. Leave the cat, and invest in an MSD ignition. this should liven the truck up a bunch and create reliable HP.
Good Luck guys
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aaro
Dodge Dakota
7/31/2001
20:59:55
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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My 5.2 runs with the big boys----K&N intake kit,Magnum Performance TB, ASP under drive crank pully,MSD blaster III coil,Accel 9000 wires,trac lock diff,soon to be changed jet chip,3923 plugs gapped at .048,and a Flowmaster....It's a 5.2, SB, SC, 4x2 (3800#)and runs 14.3 or better-----unless my g-tech has brain damage.PS $200.00 tries are required or all I get is smoke.
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BMac
Dodge Dakota
8/01/2001
12:15:43
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Message:
Well, is this thing still fuel injected with the M1 intake?
The computer in the truck is programmed for the factory parts.
Is the cam installed at TDC, 4degrees advenced or retarded?
Advance cam 4 degrees (cam, not the cam gear, made that mistake before) to gain bottom end Tq.
Is it still FI?
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BMac
Dodge Dakota
8/01/2001
12:30:00
|  RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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You NEED long intake runners for Tq. The M1 intake is for top end power. You have a heavy truck being a 4X4, you NEED Tq.
You also need a cold air intake and ram it into the throttle body.
You also need a good ignition coil and wires and plugs.
If your cam is too big you will lose Tq. All your parts MUST compliment each other. If your engine doesn't start making power til 3500rpm and your torque converter stalls at 1800, DON"T try to race that Chevette at the lights.
One step at a time. Make sure that cam is dialled in right.
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Hawkeye
Gen III
8/01/2001
12:38:16
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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For what its worth, I have put on a Flowmaster 40 series single in single out custom exhaust, home made intake with K&N filter, and Autolite 3923 plugs in my wifes 99 5.2 4x4 Durango and it is a different animal now. Feels like my 4.7 in my Dak did when it was stock. I cant wait to see what it does with the other mods I have on mind for it. My only complaint is that the shift points on the auto tranny are all wrong. It doesnt really let the 5.2 get up into its powerband before it shifts. That is one thing I really like about the new tranny with the 4.7. It doesnt shift until you are well into the powerband. If I can ever get those shift points changed a little that 5.2 will be rockin. It does do quite well off road though and when pulling.
'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
32x11.50 BFG AT's
Green Thunder
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Anthony
Dodge Dakota
8/01/2001
14:29:52
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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4X4 Tony,
OK lets take a few things and analyze them.
You base, 5.2L 230hp 300tq! Wheel HP lets say' 170-180hp with 270tq. 4X4 suck more hp power plus adds 200lb+ to your truck.
First your engine makes it's peak hp around 4400 and tq at 3200.
I think the M1 is killing your tq and not adding any HP. Why? M1 intake runners estimate of 10 inches which is great for 5000+RPM power. But your heads start to float at 5000RPM which is bad. Let take the Stock Intake which has 16-18inch runners for tq and a ram air effect. I would recommend the 14inch runner that KRC offer, they just mod your stock intake. The MP Cam is worthless and with all the free flow exhaust that you have creates no back pressure causing your engine to lose even more tq.
What size TB are you running? I assume you had a Cold air intake to replace the stock box?
So my analyzes is, you spend some money on some good parts that don't work well with your setup. You also bought a weak cam.
No torque to move a heavy 4x4 and no more hp than what you started with.
So what do you end up with, you got it. A Slug!
I don't mean to be rash, but either throw in a good cam with a good power curve and get some heads that handle power over 5000rpm. Or you could always throw on your old intake to give back your torque and make use of your other mods.
That's my suggestion.
Anthony
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/01/2001
14:41:02
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Well, there ya go.
Got the Dak back yesterday. They replaced the broken rocker stud and readjusted all of the rockers (to cure the ticking that had started last week) – all under warranty. Something was out of whack because the oil was about 2 quarts high and full of gas, in two weeks time. Clock is still right so I know they didn’t disconnect the battery (so the PCM likely wasn’t reset). Tons of traffic so it was basically a drive home at idle.
This morning, after I get to the highway intersection I make my turn and hit the gas.
WHOOOOOOOOOSH!!!
Warp Factor 9! Scared the pi$$ outta me.
Dunno what was wrong, but it’s all better now. THIS is what I was expecting!
So, I guess this means that I’m just a big crybaby and I take all my dissin’ of the 5.2 back. It does respond well to these mods (you just have to know what you’re doing when you put them on. For the record, I was really, totally, completely positive that I had the rockers adjusted correctly).
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E
Dodge Dakota
8/01/2001
15:39:25
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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4X4 Tony,
You've gotta strap that thing to a dyno, or run the 1/4 mile now!.... Im interested to what kind of difference all of those mods made.
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BMac
Dodge Dakota
8/02/2001
06:04:21
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Good show Tony, glad to here you're happy with your truck now. I couldn't believe that someone could take all those notes and go so wrong.
Give us the list of goodies if you can.
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4X4Tony
Dodge Dakota
8/02/2001
08:50:53
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Man, what a great drive home. This thing has done a complete 180 from a week ago. Now I can wait run into my little S-10 buddy (I was dreading it last week). All I need now is the “Fear Me” window sticker…
Here’s the list (I posted this once before, but I can’t remember under what heading):
MP SBEC
MP R/T "Purple" Cam and Lifters (I know, I know - but it says so on the box!)
MP Roller Rockers, Push Rods, Springs, Retainers.
MP Double-Roller Timing Chain
MP Valve Covers (black)
MP Headers (Cermakrome coated by Process Coatings in Croswell, MI and “adjusted” Y-Pipe by Discount Muffler)
MP Cat-back Exhaust (and new headers-to-cat pipe)
New 2.5” STRAIGHT pipe between the headers and the cat (what’s up Dodge and their twisty, crumpled exhaust pipes?).
MP Spark plugs (really Bosch “Supers” - copper core)
MP M1-MPI Intake - the Randy Pile version w/ "Turtle" (torque booster) and 180 T-stat (from World Wide Performance Parts)
Flowmetrics 52mm TB (from SpeedTweaks)
CarSound High Flow Converter (from Husker High Performance)
Flex-A-Lite Black Magic 150 15” Fan (from Summit Racing)
DEI Cool Tubes (around the A/C lines and plug wires) and Cold Air Tube Insulation kit around the FIPK
Ultra custom spare tire relocation system (OK, it’s just a treated wood brace that keeps the 33” spare away from the exhaust)
I already had the K&N FIPK II; MSD 6A, Blaster SS and 8.5mm wires; Borg Warner cap & rotor (worth every bit of the $5 it cost); Superlift TrueSpeed speedometer calibrator. The truck came with 3.92 gears and Full Time 4WD (although I’m usually in 2WD except when it rains or snows).
Other stuff: Tuff Country 5.5” Lift, BFG A/Tko 33X12.5X15 tires (on the stock rims).
I’ve read a mixed bag of the MP Cam sucks and the MP Cam is good. My final conclusion came from the DiRT message board, where some MP guy said the Cam (which really isn’t just a Comp Cams 2030) is designed to work with the entire “R/T Performance Package”. It assumes freer breathing and will kill HP and Torque by itself. It responds especially well to the M1 and a bigger T/B. I really love the loping, “muscle car” idle (especially now that its performance matches the sound).
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Manuel
Dodge Dakota
8/02/2001
09:01:39
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Wow, you've done quite a bit of work to your truck. I'm glad to hear that its performing now. I also have a 5.2 4x4. I'd love to know how much horsepower your putting out at the crankshaft and the rear wheels.
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lando981
Dodge Dakota
8/02/2001
09:31:02
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Yeah check this guys!!!! I have a97 w/ 5.2 3.90 sure grip 50k mile, 180 thermo, FIPK gen II and I am running 14.11!!! took My spare tire out and put a little smaller tire on my 15" stock rims I think it was 215 65 r 15's. But I tell you what really made a difference was the FIPK. That thing increased my times from a 14.9 to a 14.11. PLus I really learned how to drive my truck since I first ran it!!!! Oh yeah sorry my truck is a RC!
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lando981
Dodge Dakota
8/02/2001
09:31:35
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Yeah check this guys!!!! I have a97 w/ 5.2 3.90 sure grip 50k mile, 180 thermo, FIPK gen II and I am running 14.11!!! took My spare tire out and put a little smaller tire on my 15" stock rims I think it was 215 65 r 15's. But I tell you what really made a difference was the FIPK. That thing increased my times from a 14.9 to a 14.11. PLus I really learned how to drive my truck since I first ran it!!!! Oh yeah sorry my truck is a RC!
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lando981
Dodge Dakota
8/02/2001
09:33:03
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Yeah check this guys!!!! I have a97 w/ 5.2 3.90 sure grip 50k mile, 180 thermo, FIPK gen II and I am running 14.11!!! took My spare tire out and put a little smaller tire on my 15" stock rims I think it was 215 65 r 15's. But I tell you what really made a difference was the FIPK. That thing increased my times from a 14.9 to a 14.11. PLus I really learned how to drive my truck since I first ran it!!!! Oh yeah sorry my truck is a RC!
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lando981
Dodge Dakota
8/02/2001
09:34:51
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Yeah check this guys!!!! I have a97 w/ 5.2 3.90 sure grip 50k mile, 180 thermo, FIPK gen II and I am running 14.11!!! took My spare tire out and put a little smaller tire on my 15" stock rims I think it was 215 65 r 15's. But I tell you what really made a difference was the FIPK. That thing increased my times from a 14.9 to a 14.11. PLus I really learned how to drive my truck since I first ran it!!!! Oh yeah sorry my truck is a RC!
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lando981
Dodge Dakota
8/02/2001
09:36:36
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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Yeah check this guys!!!! I have a97 w/ 5.2 3.90 sure grip 50k mile, 180 thermo, FIPK gen II and I am running 14.11!!! took My spare tire out and put a little smaller tire on my 15" stock rims I think it was 215 65 r 15's. But I tell you what really made a difference was the FIPK. That thing increased my times from a 14.9 to a 14.11. PLus I really learned how to drive my truck since I first ran it!!!! Oh yeah sorry my truck is a RC!
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lando981
Dodge Dakota
8/02/2001
09:37:03
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
IP: Logged
Message:
Yeah check this guys!!!! I have a97 w/ 5.2 3.90 sure grip 50k mile, 180 thermo, FIPK gen II and I am running 14.11!!! took My spare tire out and put a little smaller tire on my 15" stock rims I think it was 215 65 r 15's. But I tell you what really made a difference was the FIPK. That thing increased my times from a 14.9 to a 14.11. PLus I really learned how to drive my truck since I first ran it!!!! Oh yeah sorry my truck is a RC!
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Andy L
Dodge Dakota
8/02/2001
09:45:26
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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I put gibson stainless split rear exhaust and a k&n cold air induction and have noticed better fuel and a little horsepower. But wjat I have been told is that the quick D throttlebody is one of the things that should be on youlist of mods. And for Kotas heat problem just change the thermostat and add a bottle of redline wetter water and forget about your engine getting to hot because redline stands buy there product and all my friends with hotrods will agree. So my advise is exhaust,cold air induction,throttlebody replacement and if buget allows a new computer upgrade.
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Andy L
Dodge Dakota
8/02/2001
09:46:40
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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I put gibson stainless split rear exhaust and a k&n cold air induction and have noticed better fuel and a little horsepower. But wjat I have been told is that the quick D throttlebody is one of the things that should be on youlist of mods. And for Kotas heat problem just change the thermostat and add a bottle of redline wetter water and forget about your engine getting to hot because redline stands buy there product and all my friends with hotrods will agree. So my advise is exhaust,cold air induction,throttlebody replacement and if buget allows a new computer upgrade.
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Bryan Dobson
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/08/2003
09:09:33
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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im towing a 29 foot camper about 7000 lbs.will the performance chip help me on some HP.motor is stock with dual exhaust, 1999 318 cuad cab 355 rear end
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Vantage
GenIII
8/08/2003
16:35:31
| RE: What are the best mods for 5.2L?
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I don't think that would be a good idea. For the Mopar Performance PCM, at least, you're not supposed to tow/carry more than 2000 lbs. I would guess that the other computer modules are the same. They all advance the timing to get the power. The induction mods listed above would help you out, but the best thing would be to give it some more mechanical advantage at the wheels by swapping out for some 3.9's
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