Hello fellow Dodge forum members. New member here. Figured this would be the best place to ask a question or two about my truck. I'm an up and coming Automotive Technician (Auto Repair Mechanic) and I'm really interested in making my 1988 Dodge Dakota (long bed "8ft.") 3.9L V6 into a project as I progress through Auto Mechanics classes at my technical college of choice.

My question for you guys is simple really. For me to get a good bit of low end horsepower and torque from the base 125 H.P. and 185 lb./ft. torque (both of the numbers may have increased slightly due to my putting a highflow Magnaflow Catalytic Converter and Flowmaster 40 Series muffler on it) without seriously lowering the gas mileage I'm getting (average 20-22 MPG, 365 miles on a 17 gallon tank).

Thanks for any help you can give!

 

Nothing is going to increase TQ or HP much at all on your stock engine. To make the most of the muffler and cat you will need to increase all the exhaust pipes as well. Next will be a higher flow intake system. After a good $800-$1,000 you'll only free up 5-10 HP if your lucky.

A V8 swap is the best option. The 92-02 Magnum motors will be your best choice for good power from stock.

 

Well that's a bit disappointing. I have done a lot of looking into the 5.2L V8 swap, but that's a bit of money there as well. I'm not going to be completely short changed, so I was willing and able to do a few internal changes if I needed (that's the fun part!).

But anyway, thanks for letting me know. Would the 5.2 V8 be a good start to build on? Are there any opportunities for more than 5-10 horsepower increases with that stock engine?

 

But also wait a minute.. With a very vague guess, how much mileage and HP could I free up by taking off the mechanical fan for an electrical one, removing the stock exhaust manifolds for long headers, possibly getting a new camshaft (or does my truck have 2? I'm 80% sure it's only one), and if I added an extra exhaust pip with another Cat. and muffler, so one set of exhaust for each set of headers. Approximately how much power would that free up?

 

With all the above 10HP and $1,000. Like I said above! 1 cam shaft, I doubt there are any good aftermarket ones. www.hughesengines.com is a good site.

Swapping the mechanical fan will be your best option. 5HP maybe.

Depending on your mileage the engine could use a complete rebuild and that would help.

 

Nah. The mileage is beyond acceptable. I guess it just isn't worth it. Thanks for the help.

 

Your 88 Dakota is shorter in the engine compartment than the 92-96. If you try to stuff a V8 in there, it will be a tight fit. Check other posts on this forum and you will see what I mean. I am currently trying to restore an 89 and a 94 at the same time. There is a lot more room under the hood of the 94. I have a 93 extended cab with a 5.2 in it (factory) that fits OK but not a lot of extra room. If I was going to build a street machine, I would find a 360 (5.8?) engine and stuff it in a 92 or newer.

 

X2

It makes no sense to put a few hundred into the V6 WITHOUT APPRECIABLE GAINS. Power also costs money to maintain that power. Your question is vague in the sense that your looking at increasing power, but "why" are you increasing the power (or torque as you noted)? There are stroker cranks for the V6, but again the gains are questionable versus the cost. If your wanting more torque ect, but not wanting to swap, you should look into turboing your engine.

 

As for why? I was simply looking to make this truck a project as I will have another, much newer truck as I take my college classes. And I wanted to see what gains I could pull out of this truck by experimenting with the things I learn through college. Even if I had to dig into the engine's internals.

 

im in the same boat as you 88, im also in school for Automotive. Get the 5.2 and do some custom fabrication on a 5.2 while its out of the truck. a used 318 or 360 might be less than you think, it might have high milege but you can get better power out of the Magnum V8s. Listen to what siggie and crazy say they now these trucks and probably a lot about other brands and styles