1st Gen Dakota Tech 1987 - 1996 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 1st Gen Dakota.

91 Dakota 5.2 Headers?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 01-22-2017, 02:32 AM
ojcool's Avatar
ojcool
ojcool is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default 91 Dakota 5.2 Headers?

Has anyone put headers on this vehicle if so, which ones and would you use them again?

I am looking for a reasonably priced long tube for this vehicle and I was wondering if the RAM 1500 long tubes would work.

The only reasonably priced headers i see for this vehicle on ebay are these "block hugger" designed which don't even makes sense with how they are designed considering how the factory manifolds are laid out. Not to mention the fact that they are MORE expensive than all the magnum version headers.

Is there any reason you cannot use these other headers if none of the smog pump stuff is an issue?

I am a very capable welder so some fabrication is not an issue at all.
 
  #2  
Old 01-22-2017, 09:35 AM
jkeaton's Avatar
jkeaton
jkeaton is offline
DF Admin
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 27,731
Received 335 Likes on 299 Posts
Default

What engine is it? That would be helpful info.
 
  #3  
Old 01-22-2017, 01:59 PM
RalphP's Avatar
RalphP
RalphP is offline
Champion
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Northwest Louisiana
Posts: 4,749
Received 368 Likes on 340 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jkeaton
What engine is it? That would be helpful info.
Thread is entitled "91 Dakota 5.2 Headers", so I'd wager a bet a 5.2 LA.

RwP
 
  #4  
Old 01-22-2017, 02:02 PM
93 ragtop's Avatar
93 ragtop
93 ragtop is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Va
Posts: 1,783
Received 96 Likes on 83 Posts
Default

The only long tube headers I have seen for the early dakota's with a 5.2 are these.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hooker-Heade...pWV0cu&vxp=mtr

I have no idea on how well they fit though.

FWIW I would be inclined to stick with stock manifolds before going with shorty headers. I have no experience with a dodge, but on a corvette 350 engine, and a ford truck 351. The only gain shorties gave me were cracks and leaking gaskets. A quality Long tube set with a 3/8 flange would be what I would want. Otherwise, leave it stock.
 
  #5  
Old 01-22-2017, 03:35 PM
RalphP's Avatar
RalphP
RalphP is offline
Champion
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Northwest Louisiana
Posts: 4,749
Received 368 Likes on 340 Posts
Default

More than just those two, 93_ragtop.

Same info for the Thunderbird SC; shucks, for ALL the MN12 TBirds/Cougars.

And a lot of other vehicles also.

Shorties only give that "PING"ing sound on WOT.

(I'll admit, the factory stainless headers on my 1991 Cougar are nice to hear *grins* )

RwP
 
  #6  
Old 01-22-2017, 09:11 PM
robertmee's Avatar
robertmee
robertmee is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by RalphP
Thread is entitled "91 Dakota 5.2 Headers", so I'd wager a bet a 5.2 LA.

RwP
some later year 91's had the magnum....Have a friend with a 91 and stock magnum. I'd always heard the same, 92's were the first magnums, but not his.
 
  #7  
Old 01-23-2017, 02:06 AM
ojcool's Avatar
ojcool
ojcool is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ok, it's a 5.2 LA. From what I've learned about the Magnum and LA differences from a "will it bolt up" perspective it's pretty clear that it does not matter if it's a Magnum or not. The bolt pattern is the same.

I'm more interested in knowing if a set of long tube headers will clear the steering and firewall on this vehicle.

The only set of long tube headers I've seen for this truck are the hooker $500+ which look identical to the Ram long tubes by the pictures. I'm wondering if the reason they don't list a lot of headers for this vehicle is related to the smog pump which I will be removing.

I would like to find a set around $200 and I'm just wondering if anyone has just put standard 318 long tubes on this vehicle.

I am an experienced welder so some fabrication is fine.
 
  #8  
Old 01-23-2017, 09:22 AM
93 ragtop's Avatar
93 ragtop
93 ragtop is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Va
Posts: 1,783
Received 96 Likes on 83 Posts
Default

When I go to hookers web site, the pictures of a dakota header and a d150 look totally different to me. Here is the site I used

https://www.holley.com/products/exha...lds/long_tube/

https://www.holley.com/products/exha...lds/long_tube/


I do agree, cost is high. I went through the same thing with my corvette. Steel coated headers were $800.00. Like you, would like to find something much more reasonable for the dakota. If you end up trying it, please let us know your results!!

BTW if you do try it, you may want to try one of the bigger companies that will allow returns.
 
  #9  
Old 01-24-2017, 05:01 AM
ojcool's Avatar
ojcool
ojcool is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Bump

I'm really surprised that no one seems to have overcome this obstacle. I wonder what the issue actually is?
 




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:06 AM.