ways to make my dakota a little faster??
#11
10-27-2012, 09:33 PM
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Not easier, more expensive to get a new truck.
It really is pretty straight forward swapping the engine out. The engine mounts are even the same.
All you need is heftier shocks, Motor, PCM, wiring harness that comes with the motor(if you can pull a 318 out of another dakota if your lucky enough), exhuast manifolds(unless you get a set of headers) and a trans beef up. Gauge cluster with tach is recommended.
It really is pretty straight forward swapping the engine out. The engine mounts are even the same.
All you need is heftier shocks, Motor, PCM, wiring harness that comes with the motor(if you can pull a 318 out of another dakota if your lucky enough), exhuast manifolds(unless you get a set of headers) and a trans beef up. Gauge cluster with tach is recommended.
#12
10-27-2012, 11:28 PM
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don't get spark plugs and wires until you actually need new ones. the performance increase isn't noticable. get a k&n filter that drops into your stock intake and remove the piece of plastic on the grille that covers the intake pipe. Buy a glasspack and replace your muffler keeping the rest of the stock exhaust. after that, you may as well get a v8. a 318 magnum in good condition can be found for $300. you would be spending that much on plugs, wires, filter, and exhaust kit, so why not add 2 cylinders instead. For well under $1000 including the engine, you could have 350 hp vs spending $1000 on the v6 being lucky to reach 250 hp
The most HP the 318 had in our Generation of Dakota was around 235 which was from 92-93 because of the 2 1/2" Exhaust manifolds. Modifying your intake and exhaust is always a good thing to do but the overall performance increases are minimal. With a good system you'd be doing quite well if you saw a 10-15HP Increase.
But I do agree swapping to the 318 is a much better idea then upgrading the V6(Unless you're attached to the motor like some are and they've done pretty well with them) But for sacrificing 1-3 MPG you get an engine with 40-60 more HP (Depending on the year)
From what I've read the swap is very easy. Electrical wise you can simply add two more injector wires and put in the V8 PCM. Engine wise you just need to get a new fan shroud and the V8 Transmission. The ones that came with the V6 were not built to handle the HP/Torque the V8's put out. Upgrading one would be a waste of money if you ever plan on doing any sort of mods to the 318. Obviously there are a few things I'm forgetting but you can find all the info about the swap in the FAQ 2 thats stickied on the top of the Gen 1 forum.
#13
10-28-2012, 01:54 AM
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I have a 1990 Dodge Dakota with a 3.9l v6 and i really wanna give it some more get up and go. I was thinking put in 8 mm spark plug wires platnium spark plugs k and n air filter but idk what else i could do? also should i put a cold air intake even though my truck already has a factory setup air intake? any input would be appreciated. thanks!
A.J.