Dan Kramarsky <dkramarsky68@yahoo.com> wrote:
: Hey all.
: I'm new to the group and I'm not sure if this is for OEM owners or for
: performance enthusiasts.
Welcome to the list! There are both types of folks here, (and both are
welcome) though the majority of the discussion does tend to be performance
oriented.
: I have just got a '92 Dak with the club cab and 318cu MPI Magnum engine. The
: spec says about 230hp @ 4800rpm. Does any performance guru out there have
: some ideas to throw at me to squeeze some more performance out of it. The
: goal is to achieve about 260 HP. or + 30HP over stock.
: So far I am condidering K&N Cold Air Induction, Hooker Headers, and JetChip to
: modify the injector timing from the SBEC (or ECU)
The computer is a good mod, though be aware that you will probably have
to run 92-93 octane due to the advanced timing. A mod that dovetails
nicely with the computer is a 180 degree thermostat, which will help to
prevent pinging and can lessen your octane requirements. On the plus side,
the computer takes less than 5 minutes to swap out so if you want to go back
to running 87 octane, it is real easy to do so.
An air intake is a must; the best would be a ram-air or cowl induction
hood which is sealed off to the airbox, the next best thing is ducting cool
air to the air cleaner, and the next best would be just an open element 14x3"
open element air cleaner, which even though it receives hot under-hood air,
is still better than the stock element because of its higher volume.
Another good mod is a cat-back exhaust system. On the 318, most people
do a single 3" or a dual 2.5" cat-back. Replacing your stock catalytic
converter with a high flow unit is a good upgrade as well.
From a power per dollar standpoint, I don't feel that headers are a
great value on this vehicle. The stock exhaust manifolds actually
flow very well. Switching to a shorty style header will result in
minimal gains, the longer "tri-y" style are better, especially if
the Y pipe is replaced in the process. However, whatever the style,
quality headers are expensive and the performance increases just aren't
that much. I would save the headers for down the road if you decide you
want more power. Another advantage of headers besides the increased
airflow is their ability to dissapate heat. This can help on an engine
which has pinging problems. But again, IMHO, unless absolutely nescessary,
I would put them on hold until later.
A modified throttle body can help net some additional ponies and
increase throttle response. This can be as simple as modifying your
own with a dremel tool all the way up to a billet unit.
The intake, exhaust, computer and thermostat will probably get you
close to your goal. If you would like to go further, the 2bbl or 4bbl
MPI intake manifold will give you some decent power and fuel economy
gains, but these aren't as cheap as they used to be.
By way of reference, my '96 Dakota has dyno'd at 235hp and 293lb-ft
at the rear wheels with the following mods:
14x3" open element air cleaner
ported throttle body
MPI intake w/180 degree t-stat
JBA "shorty" headers
2.5" -> 3" Y-pipe
3" exhaust with Gibson muffler and no cat
Mopar PCM
I estimate that 235hp to the wheels is probably 270-275 at the engine.
: I read somewhere the OEM headers on this model are already 2 1/8" . Can
: anyone confirm? Would there be a need to go to Hooker Headers? I'm
: specifically thinking of Super Comp. #5008HKR. (apparently Edelbrock doesnt
: have the right ones for this engine according to the website )
See above for my opinion on headers. :-) One problem on the Dakotas
is that the stock Y pipe has a crimp in the driver's side, which is why
it is a good idea to replace the Y pipe with the headers. However, your
truck is a '92, which has the best flowing exhaust manifolds and Y pipe
that was available from the factory. ('92 and '93 are the desirable
years) Some folks who want to maintain a sleeper look with a '94+ Dakota
often search for '92-'93 exhaust manifolds to bolt on in place of
their current ones, and others who want to go one step further will have
them extrudehoned.
Anyway, I don't recall what the exact size of the exhaust manifolds
or Y pipe are, but I do know that the units on your truck are as good
as they get. It would be my recommendation to leave them alone until
you've got the cheaper mods done, which have more bang for the buck.
: Also, which is better: the Jet Chip or the MP powertrain control module
: (PCM)?
Most definitely the Mopar PCM is better. It makes more power, doesn't
have the moisture problems of the Jet, and it increases your speed and rev
limiters, something the Jet cannot do.
---Jon-
.---- Jon Steiger ------ jon@dakota-truck.net or jon@jonsteiger.com ------. | I'm the: AOPA, DoD, EAA, NMA, NRA, SPA, USUA. Rec & UL Pilot - SEL | | 70 Cuda, 90 Dak 'vert, 92 Ram 4x4, 96 Dak, 96 Intruder 1400, 96 FireFly | `------------------------------------------ http://www.jonsteiger.com ----'
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