I read a lot on performance inhancements for the 00 druangos 5.2 4x4 SLT's.however I want to ask in a different direction on this "theory" which I use and have proved to people again and again on my 07 Ram 2500 diesel.(525 Hp 925 tq) 25 psi boost... 105 K on it, had since new, 16.8 MPG lifetime MPG< (105K/ 6250 gallons total used.) thats towing and empty.
THEORY>>>More power per weight ratio ..is better, with mileage towing or empty, engine has more power to move the same weight more effeciently with less fuel.
--history... my durango has 158K on it, was orignal order for car rental company, then sold in texas, then idaho. the tranny was shot when we got it, went thru the tranny and it was the nastiest, flilty one i have ever worked on (that was the inside of it) problely lack of maintenance...(got it replaced for $600... I Imagine the engine inside is the same way.
the power seems to be way down, wont pull hills very well at all. my Brother in law's honda pilot smoked it and mileage SUCKS!!! 8-10 mpg. its had a tuneup, new map, etc installed. dont seem to help. no codes showing.
now to the burning question. stock durango, stock weight, newer better engine w/ more HP for better mileage? should I have the 5.2 rebuilt? with a few enhacements to get around 325-350 HP? is this even possible within reason of $$?? maybe do a engine swap to newer gen engine for more power and mileage? or maybe swap in a v-10?? the v-10 is within a couple lbs of same weight, more displacement, and is 4" longer, + 100-150hp depending on year... found a couple v-10's with pcm's complete running under 75k miles for less than $2000...

Or get rid of it and buy a newer 7 pass import SUV?
final GOAL is 22+ mpg, nice HP, and towing ability, and reliablility. for a couple thousand $$$

not a hot rod..
any thoughts from the pro's and well experienced out there?
thanks...

 

i believe that to do the v10 (assuming you mean the viper v10) you will need to move the firewall back a little bit. in order to make it fit its a cool idea but a lot of work

i would not be getting rid of it if i had the connections that you do for parts/engines, i would swap in a 5.9 and call it a day. i will also add that the only easy engine swaps into your truck will be a 5.2 or a 5.9, the 4.7 has a different trans, different engine mounts and different wiring under the hood. That said you goal of 22+mpgs out of one of these bricks is very very lofty, id say 16 -18 is about where the ceiling sits, however if you go through with it and prove me wrong i would be very pleased as long as you documented what you did.

 

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/project...e_2/index.html

Looks like a lot of work, but it turned out sweet.

 

Thanks for the reply. I would not even consider the 4.7 for a swap, had one in the wifes 2000 grand cherokee limited, what a dog....test drove a newer gen durango with the 4.7 and felt that it could not get out of its own way driving around town.
I feel there is not enough gain in HP and tq to goto the 5.9. and my understanding is, they dont get any better mileage. (depending on driver habit) etc.
a newer Hemi swap would be great, but very expensive. im told that if i got one of the same year of v-10s as my durango, the PCM, wiring harness etc, is Identicle, difference is a different engine/ trans setup. not exactly plug and play so to speak but very close...
Id like to get a viper v-10, but they are $$$$$$$$ from what im finding...

the ram v-10s are a lot cheaper, sometimes with the trans behind it, with pcm's etc..change from manual clutch fan to slim electric should give me the room to clear the firewall. would have to really measure it out though.
anyone else thought of this or attempted it? i MIght look at getting a donor 2500 with a v-10 and get parts to swap that way.....would have everythign there...

(another reason im thinking about this is-- my grandfather has a stock 1998 (i think) ram 2500 with the v-10 and empty he gets about 20-21mpg on the hwy, and he DOES NOT drive like grandma.. he has the heavy foot...his truck has 186K on it, with part time RV-ing with a 30' 5th wheel. so it has not had an easy life. the truck will still "light up the tires. and run with the best of them" he has had no issues with the engine either....

Is it at all possible for the same range of $$$ 2000-3000 to rebuild and modify internally the 5.2 to get the same range of Hp as a v-10?? and still be driveable on the hwy/ street?

 

just curious what a dodge durago is???

 

Beats me, I didnt write the article...........
maybe it is the northern pronunciation

 

Are you sure its a 2000? The only 4x4 engines in 2000 were the 4.7 and the 5.9. The 5.2 was available in 2wd only in 2000.

Anyway the easiest way to get more power would be to tune up a 5.9 and swap it in. Swapping in a hemi would involve entirely different wiring (more similar to the 4.7 wiring) and the v10 would involve modifying the firewall like shrp said. That said almost anything's possible with enough money. 21mpg is probably out of reach unless you found some creative way to shut down a few cylinders when cruising like the newer hemis do. I really find it hard to believe that your friend got that mileage with a v10 2500, but like shrp said we'd love to proven wrong on the mileage part.

 

I'd think a more flu efficient idea would be the Hemi swap, very good hp and with the newer technology its efficient for the power it makes. And you'd get the 545RFE, which is another thing that would make it a bit more efficient. Otherwise I'd be more inclined to a very well built up 5.9, possibly supercharged. When my 4.7 dies I'll end up just going with the newest HO 4.7.

 

The "boss" says no way on any changes, SELL IT!!!

so now its up for sale...

Oregon is exploring a "fuel tax" based on your mileage driven on regular paved roads, total miles driven, farm and ranch veciles used for that sole purpose is exempt. (so they say)

so on that thought, time for a lot more fuel effecient family rig....

 

or a new family home . . .