Thats what is sad. The 3.9 makes a lot less power then the v8's but I actually get better gas mileage in my 4.7 then I did in my 3.9. But then again the 4.7 is a 5 speed and the 3.9 was an auto.

 

A V8 TB and 180 degree thermostat helped my 3.9 have a little more power. That and removing the stock elbow off the air intake box and making the intake opening larger actually helped my power a bit and improved my MPG. Some have taken off the rubber flap from the front, I tried it both ways, on and off and it made no difference. I left mine on so my air filter stays dry. Some say better flowing exhaust will help too. Mine is stock and does OK.

I add Marvel Mystery Oil to my tank on every fuel fill. 4 ounces MMO per each 10 gallons of gas that goes in. I run half a pint in the oil as a cleaning agent for the last 800 to 1000 miles of my oil change interval too. MMO in the tank is a really good upper cylinder lubricant and it helps improve compression in the cylinders, which helps increase power. I know I can sure tell a difference between now and when I didn't use MMO. Plus it lubes and cleans the entire fuel system and its lube properties are good for the fuel pump. It also helps get more power out of ethanol based fuel. In the engine it helps clean the ring packs on the pistons, so it helps compression and power. It's cheap too, like 3 bucks a quart at Walmart, a little more at parts stores. I run a good fuel injector cleaner like Regane every so often, maybe every 6000 or 7000 miles and that helps a little on the butt-dyno too.

Autolite 3923 plugs and a ditributor cap & rotor with brass contacts will help some. I use the Napa cap and rotor, part numbers MO26 and MO28 and the Napa Premium Belden plug wires are really good for the price, about $36.00 a set here. Dodge Engineers actually did studies and found the Magnum motors made more power and performed betterwith copper core plugs and they also found that the Magnum motors made more power at 182 degrees. They had to use a 195 degree thermostat to pass the Federal Emissions standards.

Others have done other things to their trucks like 1.7 roller rockers, better flowing exhaust and performance ignition. These few things I did on my truck made enough of an improvement to suit me. Personally, I really like my 3.9 and my truck a lot. I take really good care of it and hope to keep it running good and on the road for a very long time.

Jimmy

 

awesome reply, thanks for the good info! I'm happy with my V6 Dakota, i think the 3.9L is built very well, but it does need more power.
Are there any V6 owners running the Superchips performance mod? Is it worth 350 bucks?
Well, Looking over more and more mods i think the best way, ( more bang for you buck) is to go with the CAI, better flowing muffler & cat, and a decent tune up, to make sure everything stays happy. I know from other vehicles i have owned that a computer flash did a huge difference overall after these mads were done, but like I said before I'm still new to the Dodge area, and I'm just looking for "real world input".

 

I heard that a electric fan replacement and a super chips program will free up some decent horse power and torque.

 

I found this kit on ebay, its rated at 2500 cfm. think thats enough for our v6 engine?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PROCO...item35a6372ef3

 

I've seen it done b4 but didn't see hard evidence that it worked but it looked like it makes sense.

 

I don't know where you guys are getting the fact that the v8 and v6 have the "same mileage" I get over 22 highway and 17 in town. As for power, the 3.9 isnt made for power. It's made to drive you to and from and not break. The three best things I've done for my truck are, 1 removed intake system and switched to air cleaner.
2. Cut out the cat AND bank 2 02 sensor, straight into a steel muffler.
3. Stopped using sheetz gas

 

^ the bank 2 sensor throws a code but causes 0 negative effects that I'm aware of. Runs smooth and not too rich/lean

 

if you drive only in town. do what i did, go to a 4.10 gear. i gained 3 mpg. that has to do with the gear changes and gained very good acceleration. i run at 40 mph at 1,400 rpm, and it pulls it. i do NOT recommend it for driving on the hiway

 

Can you get a custom gear set? With a 4:10 set and a stock OD