New to this forum. I do have history with performance cars, built 3 quick Mustangs, built a torque monster lifted 408ci Bronco, and a pretty quik 67 360ci Poncho Tempest wagon. About five year ago I came across a free 92 3.9L Dakota (2WD) with that great paint that Chrysler used, rust. I got it with 95K on the Odo, now it has about 112K. It's super reliable, easy to work on, has decent power. Never done any mods to it, except a Summit muffler and new stock tail pipe. Also added a Jacobs coil that I had laying around. What other cheap mods can be done to pep up this 3.9. I am think inexpensive mods. Like underdrive pullies from a differant stock Dodge vehicle, stock electric fan kit from a stock Dodge vehicle, cheap air intake tricks, any junk yard tircks??? I have an extra MSD 6AL I might throw on. Any tips would help, just looking for a little extra umpffff from this tough little truck.

Thanks for any help

 

Welcome to DodgeForum!

You should start by reading through faq2. It has lots of modifying tips and tricks collected through the years on this forum.

 

Drop in a 360. They're everywhere and relatively cheap...or maybe a 383.

 

I've always thought of the V8 swap, a 360 would kick ash, but my Mustang is the hole in my driveway that I like to throw money into. I will read through old post and see what I can come up with. I am just looking for cheap budget mods, timing bump, removed portion of air intake track, fuel press.adjustments, other little tricks, etc. I have never put much thought into this truck, but it's always fun to modify anything. The 3.9 has a bit of pep for the size of vehicle it pushes around. I am excitied to read through old post and see what I can come up with. The rust paint job would make it a odd sleeper, and an extra 20-30 horse would wake it up.

 

If you want the quick list... full exhaust with headers, v8 throttle body, and do what we call the "kegger mod". This is where you pull the intake off the engine, remove the plenum plate and the bottom, and cut the runners down to increase the airflow. Then you can put in a 180 deg. thermostat and Autolite 3923 spark plugs. If you can find one, a Mopar Performance computer would help out with the other mods, but MP discontinued the v6 computer, so you'd have to come across a used or reman one. You can try ebay. Stay away from Jet chips and similar crap. Then there is bigger injectors like you said. You could also put in an electric fan... that would help a lot!

Anyway, I just highlighted the cheaper mods. Like I said before, FAQ2 has a full list of ideas.