Performance?

[BrentCosenza]

I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 3.9L V-6 and auto tranny anyone know the specs and can someone give me some advice on getting more horsepower out of this motor....websites...ideas....anything!!!! its SLOW please help

[BrentCosenza]

and can someone tell me the easiest/cheapest and How To way to Lower this truck???

[imtheoneandonlyD]

If you want more power should start with Air Intake and Exhaust.

[BleedDodge]

When you do the exhaust, you should try and put a quiet muffler or mufflers on it because you probably won't like the way it sounds. I did the exhaust loud on mine and it sounds like a missing eight.

[imtheoneandonlyD]

bleed, that because 2 of the pistons hitting at the same time right? i think i read something on that somewhere.

But i agree with bleed dont go really loud or you will probably end up displeased.

[BleedDodge]

The V10 fires two cylinders at once, so it really probably sounds like a big five cylinder, if you think about it.

The V6 is just 3/4 of a 318. Fires one at a time.

[CrissCross]

So what do you think would be the next best thing after an exaust and air intake?

MSD ignition, Coil, Wires?
Turbos?
Nos?

hmm let me know what ya think.

[fredjacksonsan]

If you're looking to go really fast, chuck the V6 in favor of a V8.

If you're looking for driveability, check your rear end gears; if they're 3.55 then you could change to 3.92 (or even higher). Changing your axle ratio is one of the best multipliers of available power.

What wheels/tires are you running? If they're tall then shortening them up will also make your truck quicker, having much the same effect as gears(and might go along with your plans to lower the truck)

You could also look into a more potent camshaft; also I believe that headers are available for the 3.9.

[CrissCross]

I have 20's on the truck as it sits. in a year or so I would consider a V8 swap for sure. If I ever have any problems with the V6 I am for sure not putting another v6 in. know any good links for V8 swaps?

As for the rear end, It should be stock so I could change them out.

I realy dont have any plans to lower the truck at all. I dont like the low look. I do however want to gain on the power side. I dont tow very often but I did not want to put my self in a position not to beable to if needed.

[fredjacksonsan]

I think with exhaust, intake, changing to 16" wheels with low profile tires and swapping your gearset (if 4wd have to swap 2 sets!) you'll see a huge difference.

If you're going to tow, make sure you check the capacity of your vehicle. I've got an '04 with 3.7 and the max capacity is 2000 lbs.

[CrissCross]

Well I have a 3" Flowmaster exaust and a K&N Cold air intake seems to do good on top end but not low end so I was considering better spark plug wires and maybe an MSD ignition and coil to see if this will help. I will look into doing rear end as well.

I realy dont want to drop it back down to 16's not yet any way. I will make some more performace mods first if that does not get me where I want then I might do that.

[fredjacksonsan]

Cool; but keep in mind with the 20's your gear ratio is pretty low and the engine has to work harder to turn those big tires.....

[CrissCross]

So you think that the 3.92 rear end will be ok for the 20's?

[fredjacksonsan]

I'd check to see what you have in there first. If you've got the 3.55's, then the 3.92 would help out. You may have 3.92's already though. There should be a tag somewhere on the rear axle that will tell what your ratio is; if it's been removed you can do the "backyard" thing, tape a string on the driveshaft and move the vehicle forward until the tires rotate once. See how many times the string is wrapped around the driveshaft; 3 1/2 is 3.55, almost 4 would be 3.92.

[CrissCross]

Ok, I'll Check it tonight.

If I have 3.92's already should I not try and change them? If I d change the gears then that is going to give me worse gas millage too. Wow their is always a sacrafice for power. .

Thanks again. I'll check the gears tonight.