What it iz Dodge guys,
Im getting my bro's 97' Dakota Reg Cab.
It has 180k on it.. Some minor problems
I was planing on swap in a 5.2 crate Mopar said 3yrs 30k warranty if installed at the dealer.
Also putting on the Borla Headers & K&N Air intake..
Jet Chip & A New Exuast system..

What Would you all add for some extra Power I will be doing some Road Racing with this truck..
Im getting my money from my crash so I should have the cash to breath new life into this old beast
Peace Troy

 

Well bro......if youre gonna go road racin with that truck. I would be thinking about suspension and brakes also. You can go fast in a straightline with all that engine...but what happens when you come to a corner. Sure on the ol playstation you can just bounce off the wall and keep going.......but this is reality. Well If you live in the mid to far west theres lots of straight roads that seem to go over the horizon. Youd be good there. Im not bustin your ***** or trying to make you think bad of me.....Just hoping that you were planning on doing more then just slammin in a 318, makin it huff better and hittin the road course. I would hate to see you on your lid and the other vehicles going past you pointing. Thats not a good picture in my mind.

Hotchkis makes a kick *** suspension kit that will get your rig cornering better. I had one on my 99 r/t. Comes with springs, swaybars and I opted for the shocks also. It's only a mild drop...but you arent gonna wanna go thru the corners bouncing off the bumpstops.(which they give you short ones if I remember correctly), that would cause some instability you wont want at that particular moment in time. It really made a huge difference on my truck and I was cornering way better then most of the ricers, camaro boys, and them stupid mustangs around here. Made them furious. I just lost to a truck!?!?!?! Also I swapped the rears to disks with a kit I purchased on ebay. Then swapped the front rotors for powerslots. I would also upgrade your clutch (I used a centerforce but I hear there are better ones) and make sure that your driveline is in check(U-joints are tight, the rear isnt trashed, etc.....). Then beef up that engine. You ever think of supercharging? Maybe a better ignition system, larger fuel injectors, stuff of that nature. Ditching that clutch fan and going to an electric setup would yield a mild increase. The less the engine has to turn.....the better off you are.

Just a couple ideas from a fellow mopar brother.

Lata

 

Start throwing power mods on that crate motor and see how long that warranty lasts...

 

Invest in a tonneau and a wing, not one of those big obnoxious ricer ****s but one that will push your drive wheels into the ground, look for one that has a cross section like an inverted airplane wing.
Lower it, you ever notice short people don't fall over much? the lower it is the better, I'd go with no smaller than a 3-5 drop if you plan on high speeds,
keep the exterior smooth, stock bumpers add turbulance. find something that is smooth and simple,
supercharging is good but for road tracks you want get-up-and-go-getta turbo
dealers are great at getting around warranties! if you road race you can kiss it good-bye.
listen to erock92kota ,
Big brakes, Stiff susp.
Spend money on sticky tires, lightweight wheels, wide tires add traction
if you opt to put wide rears and thinner fronts, space the fronts out,
wide handles better, period
keep it in shape, fine tune everything, always
________
AtinaAquitane cam

 

Yeah .. It has Powerslots rotors up front & Im looking into the SSBC Drum to Disc Setup. not bad for $875
I dont think I will need a wing i wont be hitting any high speeds.. prolly stay in the mild dbl diggets (20-50)

The Truck is already setup with the Hotchkis Kit

About the mods.. If the dealer puts them on I beleave it will be coverd..
(The Small Stuff Should Not void any warranty: Headers,Exhaust, Chip..ect ect)
(Kenney Bell Super Charger can be removed eazy)

Thanks for the Post Guys Keep Them Comming
Peace troy

 

Ok, out of curiosity, why not put a 5.9 in it?

 

#1 the 5.9 is $4700 + install..
I think I would need to change the tans parts & maybe the rearend..
Also I think i would need some computer upgrades..
please let me know if im wrong..

#2 I think it is a bit more on the lbs..
Im already going to be driving into the turns hard dont need more lbs to rip up my tires..


Keep the Post commin guys..
peace Troy

 

even at speeds mid-range, a small spoiler like a Lund Backdraft would help stability
________
Medical Marijuana Card

 

Well, if that's the case, just throw a 3.9L V6 in there. JKJK.

 

but a 5.9 would easily power you out of the turns, twin turbo and you would be a blur.
besides, the 5.9 weighs little more than a muscled 5.2 and you hve a stronger platform to work with.
your trans and rearend wouldn't last forever with a 5.2 either if you're gonna road race.
________
The Vision