Hey guys, I just picked up a 99 Ram 3500 4x4 with a V10, 5" lift and 37"s. I'm looking to get some extra power out of it for hauling the race car and dragging the toys to the Dunes. I'm not real dissapointed with the power but would definetly like to get some more out of it given that I have an image to uphold with it Lol. Anyhow what it comes down to is what are some of the best mods I can do to my truck and what are some of the worst mods? Any input will be a tremendous help. As of now I'm thinking gears and a tuner. Let me know what ya guys think... -Trent [sm=groupwave.gif]

 

talk to.....The Burning Rom, he has a v10.

 

You're probably noticing a lack of power because of the THIRTY SEVEN inch tires [&:] Either pull those and the lift off (lifted tow rigs are a BAD idea anyway), or upgrade your gears. Or alternatively, just put some 35s on and keep the lift (and go with 4.56 gears). I'm guessing it probably still has a stock ratio (3.55 or 4.10), when you should be running 4.88s with that size tire. It's also not going to perform towing duties very well running those huge tires with incorrectly geared axles.

As far as V10 mods, don't touch the exhaust! Change out the muffler, and put a 4" tail pipe on if you want, but leave the rest of the system alone! It does not pay to touch it! It's perfect the way it is.

Get a decent set of headers. Dynomax, JBA, or Gibson. Don't get the cheap ebay headers. You'll have a cracked primary within 6 months.

Find a performance PCM or get a flash from B&G Chrysler. There are NO tuners/programmers for the V10.

Install a camshaft. The mopar purple camshaft was a perfect upgrade for towing purposes. It's not available anymore, but you can get one ground to the same spec from a place like Comp cams.

Get the heads gasket matched and polished, along with a 3 angle valve job.

Get the upper and lower intake manifolds ported. The castings for them are HORRIBLE! They're very rought inside, and need a lot of polishing.

Pick up a throttle body from www.thefastman.com There's only one V10 TB to chose from. It will help a lot with throttle response.

Replace the small intake box with a K&N FIPK. It will also help quite a bit with throttle response. These motors have a huge problem with breathing, and this mod really helps.

Also, replace the timing chain when you have the cam out (or just replace the chain if you don't do the cam). The stock chains are bad and are known to stretch.

There aren't really any bad mods for the V10, as there aren't many out there period. Just stay away from throttle body spacers, and don't touch the exhaust system (other than headers and a muffler). And even then, a muffler won't make the truck sound any better (they all sound like 6s on roids...or a diesel at idle). The only thing a different muffler will do is flow better than the stock muffler, which flows HORRIBLY.


Oh, you should also do this mod: https://dodgeforum.com/m_498851/tm.htm since you should still have rear drums. Best $20 you'll ever spend on a mod.

 

Listen to what Burning Rom says, he know a thing or two about the V-10

Tires and lift are a bad idea for towing

And your motor is a big air pump, more air you can efficiently move throught it the better.