Now hear me out on this one, I am having what I think is power problems. My 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport Off Road Edition with 96,000 miles seems very sluggish. I understand that with the 4:10 rears its not going to be the fastest thing but I dont think it is where it should be. My 0-60 time is around 25-30 seconds and even with the pedal to the floor it doesn't rev above 3000 RPMs. I just replaced the catalytic converter today and was hoping that was the problem but it doesn't seen to have been it. I am not burning oil or hear a pinging sound like the blown plenum gasket symptoms are, so I don't think it is that. I am only in high school so its not like I have the money to replace things that aren't the problem. I don't know what else it could be other than a transmission problem but I really hope you guys can come up with something different. And one more thing, my gas mileage is very bad also. Thanks.

 

sounds like the trans is in limp mode honestly

 

You say that even floored it doesn't rev above 3k rpm, now have you tried that in Neutral? If it works in neutral or park, I'd say your engine is likely okay for the most part.

It almost sounds like your torque converter is partially locked.

 

4.10s would give you more power to the wheels (with stock tires) not less, hope you can get it figured out.

 

try manually shifting your auto trans to verify its shifting properly.
also as said try reving to motor up with trans in neutral or park. don't rev over 3500-4000 or for any extended period.

your 4.10 gears should actually be much faster in 0-60.

 

The plenum gasket is shot, thats a given, but, if the cat was ruined and rattling , it is entirely possible that pieces from the cat have clogged the muffler also, did you replace it too? or use the old one? And what about the o2 sensors, replaced? A motor will act a lot different when under load. I could be wrong, but I don't see how a bad TC will restrict the motor from going over 3000 rpm.

 

If the engine isn't using oil how can you say the plenum gasket is bad? Just asking not doubting.

Jim

 

The gasket can be bad, but, not sucking oil. Yet. Or, it just isn't sucking a large volume of oil. A little bit, over an extended period can also roast a cat.

 

+1... And bad o2's can dump more gas and also ruin a cat. The pcv is also another suspect. (as far as wrecking cats go) Installing a catch can, can eliminate that problem.

 

+1 on the catch can.
Get you a new Mopar PCV from the dealer and install a catch can. You'd be amazed at how much oil you're sucking in, even through the OEM valve.