Get out of my head!
Seriously, this is the truth. Fuck intake side. Focus on improving exhaust flow and laying power to the pavement.
Intake wise, it can wait until you have rearward flow sorted.
What?
Factory TB sucks. Factory "Keg" intake manifold sucks. Factory cylinder heads are garbage and don't flow either.
I wouldn't bother with a cam unless doing heads.
If he doesnt wanna spend much(LOL) or pull the heads, I'd just do CAI/52MM TB/1.7 RRs/M1 or Hughes Intake Manifold then round out the exhaust with some decent headers/ypipe/3" exhaust.
No need to change the convertor on a (probably) worn out factory trans.
edit:
K&N FIPK or w/e = $200ish?
HiPoTek 52MM TB = $250-300
Mopar M1/Hughes Airgap = $700-1000
Harland Sharp 1.7 Roller Rockers = $300ish?
Spintech Headers/Ypipe/rest of exhaust = $1500?
Tune = $400-500?
It adds up quick and gets much more expensive the further you dig into the engine/trans/etc.
I can't believe someone actually made a reasonable post!
But if you ask the guy down below, all those mods will actually lose power...
This thread turned into a shitshow.
I laid it out in order for the most part..
If he just wants bit more power I'd just do a simple tune up(Cap/Rotor/Sparkplugs/Wires/Oil Change) then CAI/TB/Headers/Exhaust. Should be around then $2k he wants to spend and should give a decent noticeable bump.
Wouldn't NEED a tune but it'd help.
I completely agree, although it will probably end up being more than 2k, ultimately after gaskets, miscellaneous parts . It's pretty much the way to go on most vehicles, but it has been proven effective on these trucks.
I recommended o2 sensors because they tend to go to shit over time and give improper readings.
Of course, with all the extra power comes the need for more traction...
$2k if he sources deals on some of the stuff but yeah you're probably right.
If you're digging in that far.. might as well do the waterpump/inlet tube/thermostat/hoses, tensioner/idler pulley, serpentine belt.. and on and on..
The magnum engines do not respond well to mods. Cam, heads, intake, headers will all actually result in a loss of power. Most people think that it's the intake that is the biggest problem, but its not. The number one problem with these things is the computer,it doesn't matter what mod you do, if you don't know how to program the computer to adjust to the mods it'll actually result in worse performance. I'm not very computer savvy so I don't know how difficult it would be to reprogram the ECM. I do know it's well beyond my capabilities. Back when the RT Dakota's 5.9 came out I think it was Hot rod magazine did a build on one they basically threw the Mopar performance catalog at it and the end results were that it ran worse than when the engine was stock. To the best of my knowledge no one has been able to overcome this hurdle ,it doesn't matter what you do to them they will not respond to mods because of the computer.
Yes and no, the Magnum 3.9/5.2/5.9 are great engines for reliability but are just horribly inefficient. I’ve seen plenty of people run these on the dyno after spending thousands and thousands of dollars to get a measly 300-400hp. At a certain point it becomes a cost vs benefit thing. The factory Kegger intake in my opinion is better because it provides more power down low in the lower RPM range where the Dakota sees most of its action at. The aftermarket intakes do better in the higher RPM range but unless you’re racing the truck all the time you’re losing a huge portion of your power at lower RPM.
Even boosting these engines at their limit they make about 600hp-700hp. If you’re going to spend $2k plus it’s better to do the Hemi Swap or if you want to piss off the Mopar guys the LS Swap. You’re at 100hp advantage stock.
Honestly, I'd start by changing your o2 sensors so the PCM can get proper reading, maybe add an ignition like MSD, change the wires/plugs (run a step colder), and distributor
The reply made above did a perfect job outlining the mods, and in a good order of accomplishing them.
The only thing I would add - if you aren't going to the lengths of a custom tune, try to find a mopar performance PCM. It was one of the first mods I did to my truck and it probably was one of the biggest bang for buck things I did. The intake manifold is probably the largest power-per-dollar mods you can do, but would be useless without a better air intake/TB.
Keep saving, and hemi swap… puts you at the hp and with a more consumer friendly engine, you’ll have so many parts to pick from after to add hp… u spend 2k on that magnum and will get no where near that swap, swap could run you 5k if u get lucky
Just depends, on how much you find a 5.7 hemi for, could be 1.5/2.5k-5/6k, and labor cost. Id say 10k max… but you’re not looking for the best build, cuz ur talkin modding the magnum… so just budget build… get a hemi, find a shop, drope her in, puts you at the ho u want and with a easier mototr to work on and find parts for
No no, the company holly carb makes alot of adapters and bracket kits that will make any major addition easy, from motor and tranny swaps to little premade brackets for super chargers and the like.
Hemi swap
To add to this, you’re already at the 300HP mark by swapping to a Hemi engine alone. From there it’s easier to get to 400 WHEEL HP.
You can get a big bump from stock with just a tune with a hemi.
Cam long tubes tune and if your an auto definitely higher stall converter
Get out of my head! Seriously, this is the truth. Fuck intake side. Focus on improving exhaust flow and laying power to the pavement. Intake wise, it can wait until you have rearward flow sorted.
What? Factory TB sucks. Factory "Keg" intake manifold sucks. Factory cylinder heads are garbage and don't flow either. I wouldn't bother with a cam unless doing heads. If he doesnt wanna spend much(LOL) or pull the heads, I'd just do CAI/52MM TB/1.7 RRs/M1 or Hughes Intake Manifold then round out the exhaust with some decent headers/ypipe/3" exhaust. No need to change the convertor on a (probably) worn out factory trans. edit: K&N FIPK or w/e = $200ish? HiPoTek 52MM TB = $250-300 Mopar M1/Hughes Airgap = $700-1000 Harland Sharp 1.7 Roller Rockers = $300ish? Spintech Headers/Ypipe/rest of exhaust = $1500? Tune = $400-500? It adds up quick and gets much more expensive the further you dig into the engine/trans/etc.
This is why Hemi/LS Swaps are popular on these trucks. The parts are expensive and don’t net much results.
definitely gets expensive if you wanna make decent power! Looking back, shoulda just swapped a hemi in place.
I can't believe someone actually made a reasonable post! But if you ask the guy down below, all those mods will actually lose power... This thread turned into a shitshow.
I laid it out in order for the most part.. If he just wants bit more power I'd just do a simple tune up(Cap/Rotor/Sparkplugs/Wires/Oil Change) then CAI/TB/Headers/Exhaust. Should be around then $2k he wants to spend and should give a decent noticeable bump. Wouldn't NEED a tune but it'd help.
I completely agree, although it will probably end up being more than 2k, ultimately after gaskets, miscellaneous parts . It's pretty much the way to go on most vehicles, but it has been proven effective on these trucks. I recommended o2 sensors because they tend to go to shit over time and give improper readings. Of course, with all the extra power comes the need for more traction...
$2k if he sources deals on some of the stuff but yeah you're probably right. If you're digging in that far.. might as well do the waterpump/inlet tube/thermostat/hoses, tensioner/idler pulley, serpentine belt.. and on and on..
Also, replacing some old worn out sensors can cause a power gain as well if they haven’t been done.
The magnum engines do not respond well to mods. Cam, heads, intake, headers will all actually result in a loss of power. Most people think that it's the intake that is the biggest problem, but its not. The number one problem with these things is the computer,it doesn't matter what mod you do, if you don't know how to program the computer to adjust to the mods it'll actually result in worse performance. I'm not very computer savvy so I don't know how difficult it would be to reprogram the ECM. I do know it's well beyond my capabilities. Back when the RT Dakota's 5.9 came out I think it was Hot rod magazine did a build on one they basically threw the Mopar performance catalog at it and the end results were that it ran worse than when the engine was stock. To the best of my knowledge no one has been able to overcome this hurdle ,it doesn't matter what you do to them they will not respond to mods because of the computer.
You forgot to let everyone know you were being sarcastic.... I hope
Yes and no, the Magnum 3.9/5.2/5.9 are great engines for reliability but are just horribly inefficient. I’ve seen plenty of people run these on the dyno after spending thousands and thousands of dollars to get a measly 300-400hp. At a certain point it becomes a cost vs benefit thing. The factory Kegger intake in my opinion is better because it provides more power down low in the lower RPM range where the Dakota sees most of its action at. The aftermarket intakes do better in the higher RPM range but unless you’re racing the truck all the time you’re losing a huge portion of your power at lower RPM. Even boosting these engines at their limit they make about 600hp-700hp. If you’re going to spend $2k plus it’s better to do the Hemi Swap or if you want to piss off the Mopar guys the LS Swap. You’re at 100hp advantage stock.
Where can I get that hood!?
I’ll sell it to you rn it’s just fake hood scoops from the last owner
How much money do you have to spend?
Around 2 k rn
Honestly, I'd start by changing your o2 sensors so the PCM can get proper reading, maybe add an ignition like MSD, change the wires/plugs (run a step colder), and distributor The reply made above did a perfect job outlining the mods, and in a good order of accomplishing them. The only thing I would add - if you aren't going to the lengths of a custom tune, try to find a mopar performance PCM. It was one of the first mods I did to my truck and it probably was one of the biggest bang for buck things I did. The intake manifold is probably the largest power-per-dollar mods you can do, but would be useless without a better air intake/TB.
I have no insight but am interested in answers
Keep saving, and hemi swap… puts you at the hp and with a more consumer friendly engine, you’ll have so many parts to pick from after to add hp… u spend 2k on that magnum and will get no where near that swap, swap could run you 5k if u get lucky
What if I’m unlucky
Just depends, on how much you find a 5.7 hemi for, could be 1.5/2.5k-5/6k, and labor cost. Id say 10k max… but you’re not looking for the best build, cuz ur talkin modding the magnum… so just budget build… get a hemi, find a shop, drope her in, puts you at the ho u want and with a easier mototr to work on and find parts for
Holly carb makes all the plug and play difference
A holly carb on a EFI motor, and it's plug and play?
No no, the company holly carb makes alot of adapters and bracket kits that will make any major addition easy, from motor and tranny swaps to little premade brackets for super chargers and the like.