Need some mods advice

[mtkohl]

I just got a 2003 dakota quad-cab......4.7L V-8, 4x4

I am not really into heavy modifications, but I am interested in finding out what it would take to equip it with a turbo or supercharger. I am just looking for some more, relatively inexpensive, HP

I don't know where to look, or how involved it would be, so if you have any suggestions or thoughts, I would love to know.

[450HPviper]

start with basic intake and exhaust mods.

[mtkohl]

Those are my first plans....first the exhaust, then a new intake. Besides, I am pretty sure a supercharger (which I have found actually) will void my 7/70,000 warranty.

I don't know much about exhaust systems and who to look at. I know that I will start with headers and do it all, I just don't know what names to look at.

[Acoen]

As far as headers go I would look at Gibson and of course match it up with a nice Gibson stainless steel catback. Add an Airforce One intake and maybe a Hellwig rear swaybar and youre in business

[QuickMaxima]

Originally posted by mtkohl
Those are my first plans....first the exhaust, then a new intake. Besides, I am pretty sure a supercharger (which I have found actually) will void my 7/70,000 warranty.

I don't know much about exhaust systems and who to look at. I know that I will start with headers and do it all, I just don't know what names to look at.

Don't do the exhaust first on the 4.7L...it will cause a loss of performance. You need to do the mods in the following order...

First, purchase the Jeep Grand Cherokee HO Cams and the HO Intake manifold. That should run you in the neighborhood of $350. You can get the cams from several sources, but I prefer using www.krcperformance.com becuase they send you the DIY tool and instructions. The HO intake will/can be ordered from your local Dodge dealer.

Second, purchase either an F&B billet throttlebody or one of the FASTMAN TB's.

After you have all the parts from the first two purchases, install all of them at the same time (if you are short on money, then skip the TB purchase and install and do it at a later time...it's the least important so far). You'll need at least a day to do the cams and intake install (go for a weekend install time).

That's the first step. After that, you can either install/have installed a custom true dual exhaust system (no larger than 2.5" piping) and remove the third catalytic converter/resonator, or install a 3" cat-back off the shelf exhaust system. Since you're a 4x4, I'd stick with an aftermarket 3" cat-back. If you haven't already added the throttlebody, then do that now as well. That'll be a nice 35 RWHP gain in your 4.7L engine.

Oh, and installing a S/C absolutely will not void any warranty your vehicle came with. It's against the law for any manufacturer to void the warranty of any vehicle for any type of aftermarket add on "UNLESS" the aftermarket add on is the direct and sole cause of the mechanical failure (and the dealer has to prove beyond a doubt that the aftermarket add on was the direct and sole cause of the failure). Sometimes there are laws that actually protect the consumer/purchaser, and this is one great law in my humble opinion.

[mtkohl]

WOW!! 35 RWHP??
What about throttle response? That is my big focus right now.

I still have concerns about the warranty. I know that technically, according to the laws, what you say is true. However, I spoke with my dealer and they tell me otherwise. I just don't want to have a bunch of BS to deal with if something goes wrong. I was looking first at trying to find Dodge/Mopar parts if possible. You mentioned the HO cams and intake....are those Mopar parts?? cause if so then I don't have to worry about warranty. Also, do you need to have the engine re-tuned with the new cams??

You also suggested the 3" Catback exhaust (which interestingly enought Dodge said would be okay), but you didn't mention headers. yes or no??
Thanx a lot for you input. I have a lot to think about

[QuickMaxima]

Originally posted by mtkohl
WOW!! 35 RWHP??
What about throttle response? That is my big focus right now.

I still have concerns about the warranty. I know that technically, according to the laws, what you say is true. However, I spoke with my dealer and they tell me otherwise. I just don't want to have a bunch of BS to deal with if something goes wrong. I was looking first at trying to find Dodge/Mopar parts if possible. You mentioned the HO cams and intake....are those Mopar parts?? cause if so then I don't have to worry about warranty. Also, do you need to have the engine re-tuned with the new cams??

You also suggested the 3" Catback exhaust (which interestingly enought Dodge said would be okay), but you didn't mention headers. yes or no??
Thanx a lot for you input. I have a lot to think about

Yes, the parts I mentioned are Mopar parts on the stock Grand Cherokee HO 4.7L engine. They are a direct swap. The pistons, crank, intake, and cams, as well as the ECU are different from our standard 4.7L. There is also a bore and stroke kit that turns our engine into a 5.5L V8, but it's offered by a German company. I don't recall off hand what the price or name of the company is.

The exhaust system would be a good gain after all the other stuff is already done, and headers for the 4.7L are close to useless unless you have some MAJOR engine mods done. The stock 4.7L manifolds actually flow very well. I'm currently helping someone develop a set of long tube headers for the 4.7L engine, but I'll tell you, it's a massively expensive project, and I just don't know how long I'll be able to fund their overall design and testing.

The key is to get as much air into the engine as possible, and then open up the exhaust. The cams, intake, and throttle body will do a very nice of accomplishing just that. After all of the above is done, go with a Kenne Bell Optimizer II computer flash, and you'll be pretty stout for a naturally aspirated 4.7L V8. Oh yeah, if you find that your engine is pinging under load, find a set of copper cored spark plugs that are one heat range colder than the stock Champion ones. Let's see...is there anything else...

Oh yeah. You will not have to re-tune the engine once the cams/intake are installed. What you would need to do is reset the trucks ECU by disconnecting the negative battery cable and cycling the ignition to the start position for 30 seconds (turn to start and hold for 30 seconds). This will reset your trucks ECU, and the ECU will learn how to run with the new airflow and parts.

[mtkohl]

Thanx so much for the input.

I have been looking at cams at www.krcperformance.com, but am totally lost. I don't know which ones we are talking about.

I have read several posts about the same mods and everyone appears to be pleased w/ the results. I guess my question is this: any chance you could tell me exactly what parts we are talking about and where? I just don't know enough about some of this stuff to recognize it. Also, I was looking at the HO intake manifold, and I am wondering if this is the one that requires a new twist-on air-temp sensor.

A couple last things (for now...haha).....how is the throttle response with these mods (with the new throttle body too) and is Gibson the place to go for the new cat-back exhaust?? Sounds like all together the whole set of mods is gonna come in under $1000 which isn't terrible in my opinion, so if I do anything I'll probably do it all at once.

Thanx again!

[QuickMaxima]

Originally posted by mtkohl
Thanx so much for the input.

I have been looking at cams at www.krcperformance.com, but am totally lost. I don't know which ones we are talking about.

I have read several posts about the same mods and everyone appears to be pleased w/ the results. I guess my question is this: any chance you could tell me exactly what parts we are talking about and where? I just don't know enough about some of this stuff to recognize it. Also, I was looking at the HO intake manifold, and I am wondering if this is the one that requires a new twist-on air-temp sensor.

A couple last things (for now...haha).....how is the throttle response with these mods (with the new throttle body too) and is Gibson the place to go for the new cat-back exhaust?? Sounds like all together the whole set of mods is gonna come in under $1000 which isn't terrible in my opinion, so if I do anything I'll probably do it all at once.

Thanx again!

Throttle response is still roughly the same with these mods. In order to increase your throttle response sensativity, you need to do the throttle position sensor mod (it's free). What you're doing is basically making a non-adjustable sensor adjustable. If you want, I can explain how to do that (it'd be easier by email, but I'll post it here if you want me to). The HO Intake might very well require the twist on IAT sensor, but since mine is a 2002 model 4.7L, it already has the twist on one. If you need a new one, it's only $7.50~ish to get one from the Dodge dealer.

As for the cams, the KRC 200 cams are the ones you want (they are actually the stock HO cams under KRC's part number). I'm going to have to look up the part number for the HO Intake manifold. It's actually not hard to install, but it is tedious b/c there are so many things in the dang way. I ended up pulling the entire top end of my engine apart while I was at it just for the heck of it. It's so much easier to put it all together than to take it off for the first time.

The pic is the 5.5L "Stroker" version of the 4.7L V8. It's actually a pretty stout motor in the stroker form.

[QuickMaxima]

Personally, I would chose a Magnaflow setup over Gibson, but the Gibson does sound really good. Well, I guess it's a toss up overall.

[kennungesser]

mtkohl,

Where can I get more info on the 5.5L stroker?

[kennungesser]

Sorry , that question was for QuickMaxima.

[FoolDAk03_4.7]

o.k I'll bite:

I have (bought) a new 03 dak 4x4: I called Kenne Belle about a S/c: there isn't one yet.

Just my .02:

3" catback( local shop) & flowmater two chamber, k&B filtercharger: sounds great and kicks ass. If you ask anyone who rode with me berofe the mods, they say WOW! It's cheap, easy and instant gratification...... By bro, 03 Dak...AUgh!

[mtkohl]

Paxton makes a S/C for the '03 dakota. Pretty much the same one used on the '02......pretty much all the new generation 4.7's.

except Dodge won't let me do it

[FoolDAk03_4.7]

Hmm, well K/B has one for the 02, BUT the computer for 03 was changed from the 02 model. I wonder how paxton interfaces? also for paxtons' website:

"NOVI-2000 System for 1993-2001 V-10 Dodge Truck
1201214 NOVI-2000 System for 1997-1998 5.2/5.9L Dodge Durango/Dakota
1201217 NOVI-2000 System for 1999-2001 5.2/5.9L Dodge R/T/Durango/Dakota
1201216 NOVI-1000 System for 2000-2001 4.7L Dodge Durango
1201218 NOVI-1000 System for 2002 4.7L Dodge Ram 1500

I don't see anything said about 4.7 03.......