Just wondering what you guys thought about doing the modified intake, ported heads, and cam and lifters on my 94 3.9L dakota. Modify the intake like the V8's do and do some head porting with a slightly bigger cam and some new lifters. Anyone got any other suggestions (besides a V8) let me know!

 

I'd do it... get some 1.7 roller rockers on there if you cant get a cam done for it. also a v8 throttle body is said to be good for 10 hp

 

Yea I already have a V8 TB from my 97 Ram (went to a hughes engines) and dual exhaust. Niether helped a whole lot but made mpg difference. I am going to do the mods I was just wondering if anyone had gone that far into one and had any positive or negative results. I built a 426 stroker for my 97 ram so I can do whatever I need to this 3.9L. Bring it on boys!

 

Fantastic! Someone else that is thinking/doing mods to the 3.9. I would like to do a few things to mine in the next year or so, Im interested to see what results you get. Please keep us posted!

You say you put a V8 TB on it and didnt get much from it? Thats sad i was thinking of doing it come spring/summer. I cant imagine that they are all the same, does it make a big difference which one you use on a 3.9?

 

you'll see the gains on the top end... I'm supprised you saw a bump in mileage. how much was it?

 

I sunk a whole bunch of money into my 426 stroker so my dakota is like my budget build I guess. I just used the stock TB of my Ram and swapped sensors. I didn't see a huge difference in milage, something like about 1 mile to the gal or a hair less. I am hard on the gas though. I did see some improvement when I kick it into passing gear after the TB and exhaust stuff.

 

I also have the 3.9. If you really want an honest opinion, I would say save the money up for a nice, drop-in v8. The 3.9 will just never make a lot of power without a substantial amount of work/money and forced induction. Either way, it would still most likely pump out less power than a standard v8 with minimal mods. For the amount of money you are talking about, you would be able to drop in a reliable new or reworked motor. Keep in mind, typically, the more work work you do to a motor, the reliability factor drops off. Don't take this the wrong way, I would love to see a fire-breathing 3.9 that knocks the socks off of v8's and i4's, I just don't see it happening on a budget under 15k or more.

 

crate or other?

 

I guess I am just looking to have some fun with the V6 with (in my opinion) minimal cost and mods. Intake and heads (modified and ported by me 0$), cam and lifters (from my uncle at comp $=cheap), timing chain and gears, gaskets, etc. (bought through my dads auto repair shop (@ his price). I just want this thing to tow my car trailer with 2-3 4 wheelers a little better. I plan on putting a shift kit in as well. I do not want to drop in a V8 (got one sitting here), I want to play with the V6 and make sort of a sleeper out of it. Not even anything as bad *** as my 426 stroker, just something when someone else drives it they say "man wish my dakota ran like this." Know what I mean guys?