Headers might be scarce, but the V-6 is just a V-8 with two cylinders removed. I'd say otherwise the V-6 may see the same increase, proportionally, as a V-8. Less engine so less increase. Something we did when I was in high school was flip the top plate over to get more air in. BUT! No matter what filter you use, the engine will only pull X amount of air. These fancy oiled red and such filters don't do much for most engines. A diesel or large gas engine pulling a trailer up a hill at WOT might use all the air. Otherwise, save your money and use a factory style.

 

The trick is, you have to address ALL of the exhaust. Even the best headers won't make much of a difference if the rest of the exhaust is restrictive. (like some of the stock systems.....)

 

Tue, but the rest of the exhaust is fairly basic and exhaust systems are available.

 

For headers, I would "think" you could simply use a set of 5.2 headers, cut the flange with the 1 tube off, and cap it at the collector end.....
Also, there is no "icing" on a MPFI vehicle.....

BTW is this truck 2wheel or 4wheel drive? Again, I "think" the only available headers for a 4wheel drive are shorty's....

 

On this engine, it does move the air filter off the top of the engine, in line with more current models.

 

Which was done to lower the hood line.

It STILL pulls the air in from where the current air filter setup pulls the air ...

And if not boxed, does not pull air from in front of the truck, but instead from the engine bay. I'd suggest opening the hood after it's run for several minutes and sticking your hand in there to see how non-cold that air is.

Also, the 'hot tip' for Dakota air cleaners for 2nd Gen? Is to PUT A ROUND FILTER ON IT.

But eh. Your truck, do what you want. Me? I'll keep buying Wix round filters by the dozen and swapping them twice to three times a year.

RwP