-----Original Message-----
From: Rekker21@aol.com <Rekker21@aol.com>
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 1998 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: DML: Dakota R/T vs. GMC Syclone
>In a message dated 98-06-16 14:08:25 EDT, you write:
>
><< It may just be me , but how can you talk about comparing a rear-wheel
drive
> vehicle to an all-wheel drive vehicle in the same sentence and then try
and
> make it better by suggesting that we work on traction ? >>
>Hmm good point, but it may just my northern upbringing that tells me that
if
>you cant beat them with just two wheels and a few pony's, then get bigger
>horses and a set of better reigns!! There has to be a way! My dad always
>said if you cant beat them with what you got then get a bigger gun!! (he's
>from the south!!)
>Eric
>p.s: Haven't you beaten a Talon AWD lately??
If you take two vehicals with the same hp/# ratio gearing etc. One with AWD
and one without it
and one with. The AWD will produce the quickest 0-60 everytime. The RWD will
get
the quickest 1/4 mile ets everytime. The increased traction at the takeoff
is outweighed
by the energy expended in turning the front drivetrain long after it is
needed for hook up. In
adittion there is a loss of hp in turning the hydralic transfer case.
Reason why the 360 in the
RT only produces 250hp. It's a newer vehical and emisions on trucks have
since been tightened.
They had to comprimise to meet C.A.F.E (corporate average fuel consumption)
as the increase
in the SUV market means they are making more non fuel efficient cars as
compaired to the four
banger FWD line.
I have gone for a ride or two in a Typhoon (the clones suv sibling) and they
are fast and responsive
but not unbeatable. He got beat bad once by a classic choped, lowered,
suicide doored shaved
handles (insert Tim Allen grunt here), DODGE pickup complete with
stepsides. Due to the bed cover he never saw the wheel tubs. Never saw the
fat tires from inside his truck. But that wheelstand near the light followed
by looking at nothing but the DODGE letters painted in flames on the
tailgate was unmistakeable. I knew who it was and told the driver of the
"phoon" I was in that it was a friend of mine and you have just been
introduced to the 426 hemi. Responce..... "damn" about once every block for
the next 5 miles. Oh yeah the Dodge's plate frame say's built not bought.
You can build a RT to beat a GM Turbo Truck. You will actualy be required
to know how to drive a real performance vehical unlike the pssyclone guys.
It takes a little practice to know how hard to hit the gas or clutch but
there is a reason that all the NHRA drivers all have RWD it IS faster once
properly set up and driven. When you accelerate the weight of the vehical
does the same thing as you do in the seat, It gets
pushed back and more of it goes onto the rear tires. In order to hook up
there are many things you can do.
Maximizing weight transfer is a biggie and keeping the springs from twisting
under load. Get a hold of some Hot Rod Magazine back issues. I have one
around here somewhere. In it less than $1000 in suspension tricks made the
difference between a camaro lighting em up for 60 ft or hooking up and
lifting the front tires off the ground on 10" street leagal MT slots!
Look for a lot of little gains in the motor to give you an almost painless
50-100hp. Example if the 360 in the RT does not have a windage tray you
could gain 20hp or so just by putting one in and keeping the crank from
churning oil. a pan baffle and crank scraper will do a similar effect to a
lesser degree 5-10hp each. Now the major mods. Put on headers, cat back,
emisions legal cam chip etc. Eventualy you could end up with 400 hp and a
hell of a lot more torque than the V6. But don't overlook wider better
tires adjustable shocks and other suspension components. You don't just bolt
them on but must tune them to get it to hook.
A 360 is almost indestructable. I put over 180,000 miles on the one in my
ramcharger. All it ever needed besides timing plugs and oil changes was
valve cover gaskets and a carb rebuild at around 100,000. Not to mention
that this was a 4wd that did everthing from tow to claw through hood deep
mud and snow. This motor still runs fine today and so does the 3.9 (133,000)
in my 87 dakota but the 360 will be rebuilt and the emissions controIs
updated before it gets put in the dakota. The person helping me in building
the motor has built one that puts out 350hp and still has all the low end
torque needed for wheeling and it gets near stock milage (with light foot)
and passes the sniffer to boot. .
I for one don't care if they think that all dodges are slower. If they knew
the potential for power and dependability they would'nt want to race.
Built not bought should be the Mopar credo
PatW
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