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Blackdak
GenIII
 
5/08/2001
20:43:03
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 Subject: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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I just got a 3.9 cc with 3.55 and i think that it has plenty of power... i mean it's not a v8 but i think with a few mods it'll be really quick whats everyones views?? i know everyone has a v8 but hey?
< Black 2001 Dakota, cc, 3.9, 3.55:1>
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jeffster
GenIII
5/08/2001
20:49:14
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
It's not bad but the V8 upgrade costs as much as a few V6 mods and will still blow the doors off the V6 so why not just get the V8 and do no mods??
Fuel economy is negligable.
Waiting for my 2001 black 4.7 RC Sport 5 speed 3:92 limited slip
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Kris
*GenII*
5/08/2001
22:58:39
|  RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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No, I've owned 2 1994 V6 that are almost exactly the same. The first one I lost to a drunk driver, I loved that one so much that I had to have a another one. See, I'm just finishing up with high school and don't make very much money, so I couldn't afford a V8, or even find one. The V6's are still good motors for tight budgets. But let me put it this way, if I wanted a race car (or truck), this would not be it. Right now I just need something to get me around, when I work full-time, TRUST ME, I will be ordering a new 4x4 Dak with the biggest motor available. Hopefully it will be that 5.7 Hemi that I'm hearing rumors about. My truck is one of the best vehicles at school except what all my buddies (all who are in debt more than $10,000 +) drive are: 98 Mustang GT convertable (he's financed and owes $20,000), a 1989 Trans Am GTA w/ a 383 stroker and lots of go fast goodies (he's about $10,000 worth of loans to pay up, not to mention it's rising for a new rear end and a supercharger). And a hand full of rice burners, me? I'm all payed off for. Oh yeah, all my buddies are paying HIGH insurance because of tickets, lots of tickets! Whoa, I got carried away with this.
Kris Harnack
1994 Dodge Dakota SLT
V6 / RC / SB / Auto
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Kurt
GenIII
5/09/2001
14:14:20
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
A stock 3.9 is fine. I have a friend who tows his bass boat no problem. It is not for racing. Plus with some of the simple mods found on this site, the mileage will continue to be more and more attractive. The real answer lies with the individual buying the truck.
'01quadcab,2W,V6, flowmaster, 18/8.5s and 2/4 drop soon
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greg
Dodge Dakota
5/28/2001
22:19:45
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
i dunno what to think. i drove a 98 cc sport with the 3.9 and an auto an i couldnt even get it to power brake. but then again one of my buddies has a 99 with a 5 speed and he can roast em n 3 gear and smoke em goin 20.
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Broeheem
Gen III
5/29/2001
00:28:05
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
I'm gonna agree with "jeffster"....
If you consider into to the financial equation all of the performance upgrades you'd have to do in order for the 3.9 to even keep up with the 4.7, you're WAY better off STARTING with the V8.
Not that I wanna talk (explitive) on the V6, but considering that the 4.7 is grabbing the same (if not BETTER) MPG as the 3.9, I can't help thinking that the choice is obvious.
Final thought :
If it's MPG's you're after... 4-cyl
Brute-force (at the expense of any REASONABLE gas milage) : get a 5.9
Everyone else.... go 4.7
P.S. I'm betting that with an intake, throttle-body, and a cat-back, the 4.7 would SMOKE a stock 5.9 -- -- -- and STILL get more MPG.
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
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98kotasport
Dodge Dakota
5/29/2001
00:43:19
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
woohoo, hooray for 4 bangers!!! anything is more powerful than my 2.5L. o well though, in my situation i'd rather go slow then pay for gas more often. its whatever you want
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jeffster
Dodge Dakota
5/29/2001
03:50:11
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
Broheem. A stock 4.7 5 speed R.C 3.92 outright beats a stock 5.9 R/T handily. This is no bull. Wayne will tell you the same and he's seen many a R/T and 4.7 run the track. I have even seen some R/T owners at the R/T chat board fess up. If you have thousnads to spend on mod's and don't care about gas then the 5.9 is the way to go because it has many times more after market parts available.
For serious towing or brute force as you said earlier the 5.9 is the right choice. Allthough only 15hp higher it has 55lb more torque. I have cruised by several 5.9 R/T's out here and haven't got one to try out my 4.7 5 speed yet.
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BigG
Gen III
5/29/2001
09:21:07
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
I should of had a V8
Will wait for the 2003 CC RT Hemi !
: ))
2001, 3.9, 2wd, Auto, Club Cab, SLT Plus, Sport Suspension
Autolite 3923's, Borg Warner Brass Cap & Rotor, Flowmaster Delta Flow 50 Cut In
Long Island, New York
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fast80cc
Dodge Dakota
6/01/2001
04:08:33
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
Interesting discussion. I'm just about to purchase a new (2001) 4x4, reg. cab, sport with a 5-spd. My first choice was the 4.7 but... NOBODY has a 4.7 with a 5-spd in stock of any kind. Add to that rqmts. for 1) 4x4, 2) reg. cab and it appears to be a special order vehicle only. I've been told that Dodge isn't accepting any more special orders (too close to the 2002 model year). I can wait and special order a 2002, but will end up paying >$3000 extra (no incentives, no deals). I don't care about 0-60 times in my truck. I just need the thing to haul a 240lb 80cc shifter go-kart (0-60 times < 5 sec.). I don't care about towing anything, just want a comfortable vehicle that'll get me to off-road campsites, carry a windsurfer, mt. bike, etc. So, even thought the 4.7 is only $590 extra, to get it I think you're likely to have to pay for an A/T. Once you go that route, why not get the "fancy" auto (yet more expensive). Bottom line: It appears that a 4.7 is AT LEAST $2000 more than a 5-spd, V6. Sounds like I could put in a LOT of mods. to my V6 for that amount! Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated before I plunk down my cash! Thanks...
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Dan Gruber
Gen III
6/01/2001
08:10:36
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
All-
I used to own a '94 reg cab V6 5-speed, and I loved it. Lots of fun to drive. With the open diff I could spin my tire all day long in 1st, get a hard bark in 2nd, and a light chirp in third. I think my current truck is probably in the same ballpark as far as acceleration, but it's not as much fun because of the automatic. Bottom line: the 3.9 V6 is fine, and the new 3.7 V6 promises to be much better.
Broheem-
Your note about a lightly modded 4.7 beating a stock 360 is about right. Last week I talked a guy I work with into going to the track with his 2WD 360 Durango, 3.92 open rear end. The only mods on mine are a gibson single cat-back and an airaid. He weighed his Durango, and it came in at 190 pounds more than my Dakota. On our best runs, I had him by 2 tenths and 1.4 mph in the quarter. Trying to compare apples to apples: giving him 2 tenths to make up for the 190 pound disadvantage puts us about equal. If he had 3.55's or I had 3.92's, I'd be back in the lead by a couple of tenths again. Very very close. By the way, he gets better mileage in his 360 Durango than I do in my 4.7 Dakota.
Dan
2000 CC SLT 4.7 4X4 Auto 3.55 LSD
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fot80
Dodge Dakota
8/07/2001
21:22:46
|  RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
fast80cc, I feal your pain. I had problems finding a 4.7 5 speed, but i finally did. I lucked out. 4.7 4x4 5 speed sport cc with t+h group. nothing else except a/c. No power anything, don't care for that stuff on a budget. I know people like that stuff as it becomes more and more standard but at what price? The car i test drove with auto and power everything was so much more expensive. It's really sad. In 10 years almost all car except premium sports cars will be autos.
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Donald
Dodge Dakota
8/07/2001
23:25:17
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
I've planned about 250 dollars in mods for my 87 dakota witha 3.9. I traveled 315 miles on a little less than 21 gallons of Gas. That works out to about 15 miles per gallon. That is good considering, i've yet to add the mods, I was traveling up and down mountains in four wheel drive with the a/c on or driving about 65 MPH on roads with steep inclines....
I plan to add a new carb, electric fan, and a fuel system control. If that doesn't help, which i've been told that just the electic fan could significantly improve things.. if that doesn't help i'm trying a new ignition system. It costs 250 dollars so i wanted to try the cheaper things first! I've been told i should get a new exhaust system too. But it would make the truck louder.. which i don't want.. Quiet is good! :)
Do any of you know what the milage is for a 3.9 with an electic fan? Just curious...
Donald
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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
00:04:10
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
MPG.... Hmmmm for what its worth I spent a good two hours at the dealor the other day. Here is what the stickers said
Reg Cab 3.9 5spd city 15 highway 20
Club Cab 4.7 Auto city 13 highway 18
I get between 18 and 20 in mixed city highay with my 1998 3.9 5spd. I decided to leave the dealor with my current Dakota as I would get majorly bent trading it in since I've only owned it for 6 months and owe 13g on it :(
I really wanted a Club Cab 2001 Auto 4.7
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Calvin
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
15:46:05
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
im in the smae predicament, i'd like to get a club cab 4x4 with the 4.7 but i cant find one and i think that my insurance is going to charge me alot. does anyone know if the insurance on a v8 is gonna be alot higher than a v6
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Lesley
Dodge Dakota
8/08/2001
22:09:43
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
Hey Blackdak, I also have a black 3.9 V6 CC, but mine's a 97 (looks newer though - people can't believe it's that old) I absolutely love it. However, I'm just finding out that there are some modification limitations. I've been researching a new K&N intake, but they don't make them for the 3.9 V6. I think they do for the 4.7 however. I've emailed the company, and I'm checking around to see if it can be modified to fit.
I find it to be not bad on gas, and I drive it a lot.
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bernd
Gen III
8/09/2001
00:54:41
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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The K&N 57-1509 will fit on a V6 with minor modification. TB, Intake Mods, Exhaust (including headers and cat-back) will also help out. Biggest gains for the 3.9L (besides Nitrous or S/C)...3.90:1 gears...especially on the automatics.
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged @ 10#
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Lesley
Dodge Dakota
8/09/2001
11:51:52
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
Thanks Bernd - is there a site where I can download specs or instructions for the K&N modifications? I'd like to go to the shop with an exact idea of what I'm asking him to do.
Thanks also for the additional ideas, I'd like to do the cat-back as soon as finances allow. You mentioned the biggest gains being on the gears: that sounds like a really involved job, is it? (expensive?) How important is a throttle body change? Thanks for all the great advice - I live in the wilds of small town Ontario (Canada) where information is a little harder to come by.
97 3.9 V6 CC
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THEUFO1
Dodge Dakota
8/09/2001
12:35:03
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
No v-6 is awsome, the best thing about it is that it is not a v8 or a 4 cyl. It's right in the middle and with a set of lower gears it is way fast. And you can easiely push over 240 hp with the v6 only putting in about 1000 buks into it. It is stock with 175(weak) but if you have the short bed with a 2 seater(recaro's hehe) and a 5 speed it is a fast little truck. And having the v8 in front just makes it heavier, so you cant handel as good since you got even more weight in the front. The v6 alread will plow if you take a corner too fast. Ohh and one more thing the dakota 5.9 litre is stock with about 275 HP, so the 4.7 must be around 240 or 230, shæt for 800 buks you can make the v6 whoop on the 4.7 v8. Bye Bye
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cbsdakota
Dodge Dakota
8/09/2001
13:09:38
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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The 360 has 250hp stock, not 275. I suppose you found a $1000 twin turbo because getting 240hp from the V6 is not that cheap. You should do a little more research before you fill the poor young guys heads with nonsense. And keep it under 70 in traffic big guy!
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TheUFO1
Dodge Dakota
8/13/2001
00:02:37
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
i did do a lot of research and you can do it. And i was only estimating the HP..I sait "about"...There is so many upgrades for the v-6 that you can push a lot more HP out of it. Getting over 200hp does not require a turbo.
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cbsdakota
Dodge Dakota
8/13/2001
17:10:18
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
You didn't say 200hp, you said 240hp for 1000 bucks! Don't change your story. Yes lots of good upgrades for the V6 are available. I agree with you there but there is no way you can squeeze 240hp out of a V6 for less than $3000+!
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Jacob
Dodge Dakota
8/13/2001
21:45:29
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Does anyone have the 3.90:1 gears I would really like to hear about this. Is it expensive? Hard to install, etc.? I am always looking to be faster, with my V-6 auto. It s fast but not as fast as I want it.
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moe-z
Dodge Dakota
8/13/2001
23:30:07
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
I don't mind the v6, but want a little more power. i am looking at the airaid kit, throttle body spacer, and maybe cat-back exhaust, anyone done these mods? I am in Ontario CANADA and its hard to find and get info for these other than ordering online, anyone up here that knows where i can get them?
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TheUFO1
Dodge Dakota
8/13/2001
23:54:08
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
Hey you should just order them online..I did the airaid intake and the dual gibson exhaust system and its awsome. I have heard that the throttle body spacer doesnt do jack for the performance though. The intake takes about 10 minutes to put on and the new exhaust system takes a little bit to accomplish but it is well worth the work. Plus you get great satisfaction that you did it your self!
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BigG
Gen III
8/14/2001
16:33:49
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
Hey 3:90 Gears Sound Interesting Too. Any Suggestions Bernd About Brand & Price. I Just Bought Your Stage 1 Kit On-Line, how long for shipping?
2001, 3.9, 2wd, Auto, Club Cab, SLT Plus, Sport Suspension
Autolite 3923's, Borg Warner Brass Cap & Rotor, Flowmaster Delta Flow 50 Cut In
Long Island, New York
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Lesley
Dodge Dakota
8/14/2001
17:10:44
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Moe-z, where in Ontario are you? There's a guy outside of Peterborough that apparently does nice custom exhaust work, whatever you want. I plan to get a cat-back system soon. I'm sure there must be other comparable shops elsewhere. As for other mods, I'm going to order my K&N & TB upgrade through Speedtweaks.com.
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moe-z
Dodge Dakota
8/14/2001
22:02:11
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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I'm from Toronto, for now I'm just looking at getting an intake kit, or making my own if i can. If I order the K&N will it fit the v6? they only make it for the v8, but what kind of mods need to be done? What do you think the shipping and duty will be if ordered from Speedtweaks.com?
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Lesley
Dodge Dakota
8/14/2001
23:28:05
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Apparently the modifications aren't difficult, I've asked if they could send me some instruction when I order it. (Speedtweaks is really helpful for info)
K&N Filter (57-1509): $235 - $9.00 (shipping cost included a throttle body, don't know if that would make much difference.) Course, that has to then be converted to Cdn. funds.
If you can make one - Great! Check out Bakerman's post - "New intake mod! Tell me what you think" - he includes pictures, and lots of valuable info. Wish I had that kind of ingenuity.
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moe-z
Dodge Dakota
8/15/2001
00:14:59
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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what do you guys think is better, the K&N or the Airaid kit? Airaid is cheaper.
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dakotatuff
Dodge Dakota
8/15/2001
00:50:27
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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hey Ive got a 3.9 liter dodge dakota and When i first bought it, it was like a normal two wheel drive truck with pretty small tires with a slant to it but i did a few modifications and now it sits straight and know it has 31X10R15 size tires on it and well the engine is pretty much stock but Im proud of my truck I like to consider it my off road version of the Dodge dakotas
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DakotaStomp
Dodge Dakota
8/15/2001
23:15:13
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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i've got a 94 Dakota Sport. While i agree, it's not a race truck, a few minor modifications can be made to make it a stout contender in the V6 class. Here a just a couple of things i've done:
(1) stay with mopar parts! (2)i added a Stillen Hi-Flow intake with a K&N air charger (3)i found a single out Flowmaster gives sufficient HP improvement. I also run a little bigger tires to help compensate for HP increase i.e. less slippage. Use a midgrade plug like Champion and change out the crankcase breather and pcv valve regularly. O2 sensors should also be changed after every 15,000 miles or so for peak performance...also change the EGR valve after 100,000 mile rollover....with the right amount of tweaking and care, this engine will provide good performance IN IT'S CLASS <----i stress that...don't go after any big dogs...lol...you'll only embarrass yourself......
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UFO1
Dodge Dakota
8/16/2001
01:11:14
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Airaid, it has a k&n filter on it. It just comes with a nice piece of aluminum pipeing that looks sweet and bolts right on..It is a k&n.
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ron
Dodge Dakota
8/16/2001
02:32:29
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
I'm addressing a couple of different comments in this thread.
First off, this was not in the dak but on another car that I've modified extensively...after untold dollar amounts and lots of projects, my all time favorite mod has been to change the gears. It gives you the best seat-of-the-pants feel for the buck.
I agree with whoever said you CAN'T make 240hp with a 3.9L for $1000. If UFO did your "research" I'm going to bet that you looked at every low-buck hop tweek or trick you can do and added up every bit of horsepower some ad or article said you'd get but it doesn't work that way.
If you take a stock truck and add an exhaust that claims 15hp, hopefully you will see a 15hp gain. But if you add a tb spacer (5hp) and the exhaust (15hp) and the headers (20hp) and the intake (15hp) and a ram air system (15hp) your not going to see a 70hp increase. It never works out that way. At first you'll see big gains but by the time you get the little gains up front you'l start paying hardcore for those later ponies. I figure on my car I'm spending about $100-$150 per horsepower at this point to make any gains. You're talking about making an engine make 40% more horsepower than stock. That's about where I am and it gets tough.
on the other hand, if you can do it and you can prove it...you could prolly make some money!
ron
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Rock
Dodge Dakota
8/17/2001
11:32:51
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
Ahh yes the 3.9, fond and bad memories.I'll start by saying that if you want more power and speed go with a v-8.If you like 3 mpg better v-6.But there is no way that a 3.9 is that bad.I had a 2001 3.9 with an auto.I sank over 600 dollars on an airaid intake tube and an aftermarket exhaust and could only muster a 17.7. The stock 4.7 can easily run low 15's.Ohh and it was a regular cab v-6.
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Rock
Dodge Dakota
8/17/2001
11:34:00
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Ahh yes the 3.9, fond and bad memories.I'll start by saying that if you want more power and speed go with a v-8.If you like 3 mpg better v-6.But there is no way that a 3.9 is that bad.I had a 2001 3.9 with an auto.I sank over 600 dollars on an airaid intake tube and an aftermarket exhaust and could only muster a 17.7. The stock 4.7 can easily run low 15's.Ohh and it was a regular cab v-6.
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Fluid
Dodge Dakota
8/17/2001
17:40:41
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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On the subject of the "240hp 3.9" - IIRC, Bernd dyno'd his 3.9 with lots of mods including a supercharger and got ca. 205 hp at the wheels. That's likely around 240 at the crank. You'd spend a 'bit' more than $1000 duplicating his mods. ;)
The 3.9 pre-Magnum in my old .89 Dak made about 120 horsepower, and it would take 'major' mods just to get it to the 175 hp of the later Magnum versions. Mopar Performance has a book on modifying the V-6 engines, mostly about the 3.9; The only problem is, most of the performance ideas are for carbureted engines. :(
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cbsdakota
Dodge Dakota
8/18/2001
15:11:30
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
Flometrics 50 mm TB $500
Powerdyne Supercharger $2300
Headers $300
Exhaust $300
Nitrous $500
Roller Rockers, Lifters, Timing chain, blah, blah, blah Alot more dollars!
Spanking the SH!T out of Cheby PRICELESS!
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LI blackdak
Dodge Dakota
11/18/2001
01:36:45
|  RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Message:
YES!!! V6 is that bad!!!! the only reason i don't have a V8 is cause i couldnt find a black CC in my area. V6 may be ok for 5 speed RC 4x2, but for auto CC 4x4 it is way to little power and now if I want V8 type power I'm gonna have to get a supercharger for $3000, instead of upgrade to 4.7 which was only $590. I have nightmares about it...NEVER SETTLE FOR THE V6!!! not to mention the $hitty gas milage!!!
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bernd
*GenIII*
11/18/2001
03:42:45
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Hmmmm....14.9 second 1/4 miles and still getting 17-18mpg. (That's better than an R/T.) ;)
1997 Dodge Dakota SLT - V6
Supercharged/Intercooled @ 10# w/Nitrous
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xplikt
Dodge Dakota
11/18/2001
12:29:21
| RE: Is a 3.9 REALLY that bad?
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Regular Cab + 4.7 + stick + SLT + 2WD + prefferable 3.92/LSD + a colour I could settle with = NON EXISTANT!
The closest thing I came to, was a RC, 4.7L, Sport, White, bench seats, 3.55 gears, no LS, 4WD.
150 Miles away, at Dave Smith Motors..I got lucky, but then they sold it like only a day or two having it listed..damn!
Oh hell, is that 2WD hard to find up here! They just don't sell as well up here (Idaho, Montana) than they do other places.
I came down to ordering mine, got everything I wanted on it, and wasn't much more since I got everything I wanted.
We are not exactly a large chunk of the Dakota Buyers here on the forum..
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