You wrote:
>
>I finally bit the bullet and filled my 92, 3.9, 4x4 with premium and
>reinstalled the performance engine controller (SBEC). Aside from the
>obvious expense of premium gas, and low idle speed (670-700 rpm is the
>readout on my Auto X-Ray scanner), and worse low (engine) temperature
>driveability than the stock SBEC it works well. The low temp driveability
>seems like it's worse than it ever was, but it's been so long since it ran
>right with the performance SBEC that I can't really remember. The engine
>idles at about 800 rpm with the stock SBEC and runs slightly cleaner when
>cold.
With my 5.2 w/mopar performance SBEC it runs at about 600 rpm (from
tach)..vs. 800 stock.. Low temp driveability seems to be same or better on my
end. With the stock SBEC the truck hesitated a little at part throttle in the
morning.
>The advantages are better performance when the engine's warm, like run a
>mile or so, and the gas mileage is much better. No numbers yet, but it
>looks like it's back up to about 17 mpg around town from 15.5.
My mileage actually dropped around town & highway with the mopar performance
SBEC. Hwy about 15.5-16 vs. 17-20 stock sbec.
>Others have mentioned installing Bosch Platinum plugs in their Dakotas.
>I've tried them twice in mine and the truck wouldn't run with them, in
>fact it just occurred to me that the Gold Champions in my truck may be
>causing its low temp driveability problems. Autolite platinums worked
>fine, however. Talked to a guy at Mopar Performance who said that he'd
>had two Dakotas that wouldn't run at all on Splitfires. Mine did, but not
>any better than on stock Champions and they cost almost 6x more.
I ran splitfires on my non-magnum 5.2 ('91) and they ran great...Seem as
good, possibly 'a little' better than stock...But not worth $50.00. I have the
Bosch now in my '95 5.2, and they seem same as stock...
>A question. My Dakota has a K&N element in the stock filter cannister,
>stock exhaust. How much if any will an "open" filter housing improve
>performance and at what cost in noise at highway (70-75 mph) speeds? And
>is there any advantage in putting a 3" catback system on a 3.9? I don't
>want to lose any bottom end, so was thinking of putting on a 2.5" high
>flow muffler when the stock system dies.
The open K&N,FIPK I believe, gives a good midrange increase on my 5.2... No
additional noise during 'normal' acelleration & cruising... But at 3/4-WOT the
intake noise is like that of a 750 double-pumper..So you can have your cake and
eat it too..
As far as the muffler exhaust setup...a 3" MIGHT be too big for a 3.9...I just
put a 3" w/Ultra Flo on my 5.2 and it has barely any back pressure now...Imagine
in the morning, when you first start your truck..and the steam from your tail
pipe goes in-out (actually gets stucked back into the tail pipe a little!) at
idle... That's what mine does. It is a bit noisy too, but a good noise I might
add. Probably a good mandrel bent, 2.5" w/Gibson or Ultra flo would be better
(quieter) than a 3" on a 3.9.
"220-221 Whatever it takes..." Michael Keaton-Mr. Mom
..Sam '95 SLT Dakota 5.2
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