v8 throttle body swap

shrpshtr325 · #1 11-25-2008, 10:33 PM

ok so my dad has the 3.9l v6 in his 03 dak, hes looking for a little more power out of the dog(it really is a gutless wonder as is specially w/ the qc and 4x4) so i suggested the v8 TB swap, which is a good, rather cheap, swap for the gains, now my question is besides the throtle body, and the throttle cable from a v8 (5.2/5.9) dak, do i need anything else? any gaskets or anything else? (i dont know for sure but i need to know before i throw the idea at my father, exactly what parts we need to buy for it) thanks alot guys for any help, o and also how long does this entire process take, i assume not long but what complications could come up in the process?

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RoaminGnome · #2 11-25-2008, 10:48 PM

lol just a new gasket. I have a thread already for this. On the first page and everything. Not its a direct bolt on. I intend to clean it VERY well first then do the swap. I already removed mt V6 TB and cleaned it and its very easy. Just be sure to torque to 16.6ft/lbs after. The only thing I havent done it the throttle cable but the haynes manual makes it sound simple.

01SilverCC · #3 11-25-2008, 11:38 PM

It's not hard, be sure to use a new gasket and transfer the original MAP sensor, Throttle Position Sensor and Idle Air Control sensor from the V6 TB to the V8 TB, because you can be sure they still work. Gasket is $1.50 at Napa. And get the throttle cable from the donor truck or buy it from the Dodge dealer for the same year model as the donor truck. It's a real pain to tryto make the different cable work on the new TB if the connectors are different. Cable is probably $40.00 at the dealer. I got mine at the junk yard where I got my V8 TB for $20.00.

It's a good mod and helped my truck pull harder and get up to speed faster. The V8 TB and 180 degree thermostat actually gave me a real good gain of about 3 to 5 MPG too.

Jimmy

shrpshtr325 · #4 11-26-2008, 12:02 AM

how much did you pay for the throttle body itself at the junk yard, or was the 20 for the tb and the cable? just trying to get all my facts straight before i jump in and do this for him, if he even wants it, i just need all the facts before i attempt it

01SilverCC · #5 11-26-2008, 12:30 AM

My V8 TB was off a 2000 model Ram with a 5.2. The cable came from a 2000 Durango and matched the connector on the new TB linkage and the connector on the gas pedal in my Dakota. I was lucky because it was one of the you-pull-it type yards. The TB was $65, they charged me $20.00 for the cable and $5.00 for a dozen or so lug nuts I found on the floor in the Durango. For some reason the outer caps break off on my lug nuts sometimes when I or the tire store use an impact wrench on them. New lug nuts run about $7.00 each at the dealer and I can't find the right ones at the parts stores.

TB and cable swap was real easy. It'd make a good Christmas present for your Dad.

Brymac76 · #6 11-26-2008, 12:40 PM

Shouldnt take you more than 30 mins from start to finish...(took me about 45 mins because i had a hell of a time gettn the new Throttle cable lined up properly through the firewall).

Also like RoaminGnome said make sure everythign is torqued properly..i had my MAP sensor to tight and it was throwing a code and was idleing waaaay to high....adjusted the torque and havnt had a problem since.....3 years now.

Good luck.

RoaminGnome · #7 11-26-2008, 05:59 PM

thats good to know, I wonder what my junkyard would charge if they ever had one. Seems our kotas and durangos are very popular at that jundyard. They dont get many in there and they are usually looted by the time I find them