getting more out of my 5.2
Thread Starter
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 1
From: In the hills of north georgia
Heres what I would do, starting first with
1.) Check for plenum leak, if leaking, get it fixed, that will be your biggest gain in not only performance, but also mileage.
2.) Get an exhaust of your choice, if the plenum leak was pretty severe, also consider a hi-flo cat as your stock one is probably toast (And is a great upgrade anyway even if your stock cat is still working properly)
3.) SCT, or Super Chips tuner.. (Get rid of the death flash, if you do not know what the death flash is, search for it, there are millions of threads on what it is, and how to find out if you have it.)
5.) Fastman TB along with a 14x3 air cleaner.
Just know, even with those mods, your not going to be making ground shattering power haha, but you will notice a big difference from where you are now if your pickup happens to be stock. Throttle response will be improved greatly, low end torque will be improved greatly, and your truck will sound great!
1.) Check for plenum leak, if leaking, get it fixed, that will be your biggest gain in not only performance, but also mileage.
2.) Get an exhaust of your choice, if the plenum leak was pretty severe, also consider a hi-flo cat as your stock one is probably toast (And is a great upgrade anyway even if your stock cat is still working properly)
3.) SCT, or Super Chips tuner.. (Get rid of the death flash, if you do not know what the death flash is, search for it, there are millions of threads on what it is, and how to find out if you have it.)
5.) Fastman TB along with a 14x3 air cleaner.
Just know, even with those mods, your not going to be making ground shattering power haha, but you will notice a big difference from where you are now if your pickup happens to be stock. Throttle response will be improved greatly, low end torque will be improved greatly, and your truck will sound great!
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
From: West Texas
I have a 1999 1500 with a 5.2. I recommend going with a cold air intake kit. I put in a pretty cheap Spectre cold air intake, and replace the filter with a 4in K&N for another $50. Airaid throttle body spacer, and a performance chip. I gained alot of horsepower but my MPG suffered some.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, Ca
RamSport...Im new to the forum, but im pretty handy mechanicaly, but aside from the exhaust...I have no idea what any of that is you mentioned. Im gonna look up the deathflash, and the person who had the truck before me put dual exhaust on it, but im not sure what kind. Plenium leak, no clue. Any help would be great. Dont mean to jack the thread.
Thread Starter
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 1
From: In the hills of north georgia
RamSport...Im new to the forum, but im pretty handy mechanicaly, but aside from the exhaust...I have no idea what any of that is you mentioned. Im gonna look up the deathflash, and the person who had the truck before me put dual exhaust on it, but im not sure what kind. Plenium leak, no clue. Any help would be great. Dont mean to jack the thread.
To clarify all I'm looking for is a little more power for my truck. Nothing spectacular, but I would like a little kick when I get on the gas. In my previous post I was letting the other members know that I have already have done small things to my truck like installing new spark plugs, and wires and other small things.
the fastman throttle body is supposed to be a great aftermarket throttle body for mopars, and i was wanting to see if this would be a good mod to do to my truck. There website is
http://www.thefastman.com/ if you want more information on these throttle bodies.
The plenum is a gasket located near the intake i am assuming because the way to check for a leak is looking down the throttle body to check for oil. If you see oil then you have a leaky plenum. Others will know more about that than I will.
I hope i was able to answer the question you asked, and if not please let me know
For the plenum info look here.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-included.html
For anything DIY look here.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen-ram-faqs-143/
It has an @$$ load of DIY info.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-included.html
For anything DIY look here.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen-ram-faqs-143/
It has an @$$ load of DIY info.
Record Breaker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 0
From: Crystal River, FL
I am not 100% certain on the death flash as I have a 97, only 98 and up had the death flash problem. If I recall correctly, there will be a sticker on your PCM (Passenger side of the firewall) that says it has been flashed, I believe it has a date and the name of the dealer who flashed it(don't quote me on that).
As for the plenum leak, take off your air cleaner, remove the throttle body, and shine a flashlight down into the plenum, if you see oil pooling you have a leak, if there is just a filmy residue you are okay (Make sure while checking your truck is on level ground). Even if you do not have a leak most of us on the site still recommend using a hughes plenum fix, or APS plenum fix to prevent the problem from ever happening, because it will eventually otherwise.
As far as throttle body spacers go, they are junk, and do nothing. Our kegger style intake manifold already holds a massive amount of air, a throttle body spacer will not benefit the 318/360 motor what so ever.
If you haven't already, you need to go down to Advanced Auto Parts, or Autozone and pick you up a Haynes or Chilton Manual for your truck, they provide instructions, pictures, and all torque specifications.
And be sure to search this forum, loads and loads of info.
As for the plenum leak, take off your air cleaner, remove the throttle body, and shine a flashlight down into the plenum, if you see oil pooling you have a leak, if there is just a filmy residue you are okay (Make sure while checking your truck is on level ground). Even if you do not have a leak most of us on the site still recommend using a hughes plenum fix, or APS plenum fix to prevent the problem from ever happening, because it will eventually otherwise.
As far as throttle body spacers go, they are junk, and do nothing. Our kegger style intake manifold already holds a massive amount of air, a throttle body spacer will not benefit the 318/360 motor what so ever.
If you haven't already, you need to go down to Advanced Auto Parts, or Autozone and pick you up a Haynes or Chilton Manual for your truck, they provide instructions, pictures, and all torque specifications.
And be sure to search this forum, loads and loads of info.
Professional
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville Tn
when you click on the link above, the other links are no good anymore ...just sayin lol
and I think my truck has that problem (plentum leak) and would like to know how to fix it myself instead of taking it somewhere to have it fixed....
and I think my truck has that problem (plentum leak) and would like to know how to fix it myself instead of taking it somewhere to have it fixed....
