Hey, I'm Josh and I have a 1999 Dakota Sport (5spd 5.2) that I bought myself not too long ago as an alternative to a little rice grinder. My friends are into those little fart rockets but I sure as hell aint'. Anyways I want to beef my truck up just a tad without spending a heap of cash (I'm 17 so a heap of cash to me is like $700... I had to work 50-60 hours a week while still going to school to get the cash to buy the truck in the first place). So I was thinking an intake and exhaust upgrade would not only be the easiest to do, but also show the most gains per dollar (compared to, say, a performance chip).

I'm almost positive that I'm getting the ever-popular K&N 57 series CAI (~$300 shipped, unless someone knows a retailer that discounts it), but I had a few questions about other things that more experienced people might be able to shed some light on for me.

I had the Dynomax Ultra-Flo 3" catback in mind, but dont know much about Dynomax's product. Are they any good? Anyone have experience with this company? Please understand that I'm just doing my homework before spending <$250 on a system that I know nothing about. $220-$250 sounds real cheap for a good exhaust system, and you usually get what you pay for, so thats why I'm leary.

Also, although more expensive, I'm fairly interested in getting a pair of chromed Gibson headers later on. I couldnt think of any upgrade less than $500 to better compliment an intake/exhaust setup better than headers (besides a cam, but I dont want to get that involved).

I'd really appriciate some feedback from you guys. Let me know what y'all think. I will graciously accept any comments/corrections/suggestions/bitches/etc.

Thanks in advance!

-Josh

 

You could also look into getting a new TB. I havnt started upgrading my truck alot, I still have another year on warranty before I can do the fun stuff. and good choice on the vehicle, rice sucks[:'(]

 

Where could I find an affordable throttle body for the 318? And do you think those cheesy "power spacers" really add anything like the "13+" horsepower they advertise or should I just replace it altogether as you suggested? I know several different companies make spacers for my application, but I cant see the benefits really being all that noticeable. Am I mistaken or do they just smooth out the incoming airflow before it enters the manifold? I dont understand how it can increase the volume of airflow significantly if you have the same TB, manifold, and intake, but I could be wrong. This is my first fuel-injected project, in case you couldnt tell .

 

Do not get the TB spacer, all they are is an expensive paper weight. This place has pretty good TBs, and alot of people would say the same if you ask. Also I might suggest goinig to dakota-durango.com, they have alot more info on dakotas/durangos than this forum.

I cant tell you the results you would get with this upgrade, as I have a stock 4.7L, but there will be an improvement.

 

Sweet, thanks for the help! Great link!

And thats exactly what I figured about the spacer, I thought it was just another POS gimmick that someone like APC would throw onto the market where there is a fairly limited amount of aftermarket support, so people are willing to try just about anything to see if it makes a difference. I didnt give it a second thought, but I figured I'd ask.

Thanks again!

 

Not a problem, glad I could help.

 

why dont you look into the gibson exhaust they have it in just aluminized finish and its much cheaper im getting my set up for 389.

 

Even if that is three hundred and eighty nine dollars, it is not cheaper than the Dynomax by any means. Jeg's has that setup for $230 shipped and Summit has it for $295 shipped. I think MSRP is like $219.98 or something like that. Its hella cheap, which is exactly why I was asking about Dynomax's product quality (power, sound, durability, etc).

 

If your trying to buy as much as possible on the cash you have , just buy the Dyno muffler and some tips, i know dodge has good size exhaust pipe. And yeah they do sound good but flowmaster is better.

 

Not many people have heard of them, but the Incinerator muffler is one that is identical to flowmaster, same warranty and all, except it is a little cheaper and has a deeper more mellow sound than the flowmaster. They are still fairly new. I am trying to find someone online that sells them, but no luck yet. I do have one on my Dak and I like it's performance and sound better than the flow. I only have the single pipe and a 4"x16" barrel tip on the end and a lot of people ask if I have or assume that I have a V8 because of the sound, although I only have the V6.