Hello I have a 97 dodge 1500 5.9L 360 gasser. I feel like Im not getting very much performance wise, what would be cheaper solutions? should I add a programmer, cold air intake, headers, dual exhaust, performance mufflers, supercharger. I see all these things help but which would be most practical and cost efficient? I mostly just go wheelin in it.

 

You use it for wheeling? What size tires and gears do you have? Bigger tires need lower gears, which will net you some power.

Have you fixed the plenum? --->https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...um-thread.html
You get a lot of power back with that... ~$100

Replacing the timing chain with a double roller set while doing the plenum will give you back some power. ~$50 i think

Next would be to get rid of the factory y-pipe, cat, and muffler. Replace with better flowing y-pipe & cat such as magnaflow or something of the like. And your choosing of a muffler $250-$300 for the 3. You don't really need to touch the headers, stock flow enough, but if ya got the money why not...

As far as "programmers" get an SCT tuner from hemifevertuning.com, that's the best for our trucks $265. On top of that some non adjustable roller rockers from a brand such as harland sharp. $350 i think

Cold air intakes don't affect hp or tq too much on our trucks but it does sound cooler.

Turbo/supercharger/etc. is by far the least cost effective, somewhere over $5000 if you do it yourself.

 

Depends on how cool you can actually get the air.. like driving after a cool front moves through and lowers humidity.. truck 'responds' quicker.. not really any HP gains.. just responds quicker.

 

Get the truck in shape first. Make sure the plenum isn't blown (see stickied thread), if you are over 100K miles, replace timing chain and gears. Of course, plugs/wires/cap/rotor if they haven't been changed for a while. How's your cat? How old are your O2 sensors?

 

Wow you guys rock!! for what I know about the 'age' of what I have, I'm not sure. I picked it up from a local dealer that was going under for $1200. I was going to do plugs/wires just because I have no idea how long its been and dont think there is really a way to check. is there? I currently have 33s on it but plan on getting v10 front coils and shackle the back and put 35s on it. as for gears I am not sure, How can I check that? I didnt think about the timing chain and gears, it has 155k. I get about 8mpg which is fine but would any of these help with mileage or anything else help? I have been looking into a new y-pipe and CAT and that is on order =]

Thanks again!!

 

Re-gearing, fixing the plenum, and switching to a double roller timing chain is going to make it a whole new truck. These all will help with mileage and umphh.

 

Plugs and wires, but do not forget to check plenum. Nickle says it is blown. Get plenum plate HERE.

 

$54 for the plenum plate! omg they see us coming with that price! I'll copper permatex my stock plate first!.

 

Make sure you use shorter bolts then.

 

Primarily a wheeler, planning to run 35's, wanting more power... Start saving for 4.88's.