BEWARE BEWARE!!! I did a similar setup that you have on my '95 SLT V8
Dakota, except I left the stock CAT and pipe from the Y-to the back of the
CAT. It worked out great, UNTIL the CAT died (mileage), and I went 3"
complete from the Y to the back of the CAT.
I lost a TON of low end, and with little power below 2500 RPM. Once I was
above 3000 RPM though, it ripped until just below 5 grand. Driveability was
terrible with the Jeckle & Hyde manners it developed. Kinda like a CR125
(no low end-- then SNAP with a short mid-high end burst).
I ended up replacing the muffler (cheaper) with little more back pressure
and that cured the problem.
So, thought I would pass along some info.
Sam '99 RT & '00??
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net]On Behalf Of Doug Myers
Sent: Sunday, October 31, 1999 5:33 PM
To: Dakota Mailing List
Subject: DML: Mopar Headers Installed!!!! and 3" exhaust (somehwhat
long)
Hey everyone,
Today I installed the MP headers on my '99 318/5-speed Dakota. The
install actually went pretty well for headers. The stock exhaust manifolds
came off no problem, being that the truck just hit 11,000 miles. Even the
Y-pipe came out rather easily with the help of a torch. Where I ran into a
problem was with the ARP header bolts that came with the kit. The inside
holes on the two outer tubes required me to grind down the head of the bolt
to get it to thread. All the other bolts went in OK. The only other problem
I ran into is that the "reducer" that came with the kit, which is supposed
to fit right into my stock headpipe, is exactly the same size as the pipe.
Needless to say, it didnt fit.
So right now, my truck is sitting outside, headers installed, but with
no exhaust behind it. Its scheduled to go to the exhaust shop on tuesday,
but I'm gonna try to get 'em to do it tomorrow.
After talking to my uncle, who has a '93 318 Ramcharger, I'm going to go
ahead and get the full 3" single exhaust off the headers with a 3" cat and a
3-chamber Flowmaster. He's got the same setup on his Ramcharger, minus the
headers, and it sounds better to me than my Gibson duals and he even claims
to have GAINED bottom end after doing this. I figure that since my Dakota is
lighter and is a 5-speed (his is an auto) that I can't lose.
Just thought everyone would want to know....
Doug Myers
'99 Dakota 318/5-speed/3.92SG
K&N Gen II FIPK
F&B Stage 1 Throttle Body
Mopar Headers
Gibson Split Rear Catback (soon to be full 3" single)
BTW, would it be safe to drive to the exhaust shop with just the Y-pipe
bolted up, or should I have it towed?
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