Performance upgrades

Tiny
FORENSICS
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 3.9L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 198,000 MILES
Just to get it out of the way I am not trying to turn my truck (Sport model) into a racing truck or some shiny low-rider. I like the idea of having an off-road truck that has some power to the wheels and supposedly this v6 makes about 180 hp but somehow I doubt that it does. So if anybody knows of good performance parts especially ones that help in the off-road kind of performance that would be wonderful.
Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 5:02 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I am Danny.

Just a question first. Do you have smog laws in the state you live in?
Danny-
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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 5:06 PM
Tiny
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  • 108 POSTS
If I am correct my truck no longer has to go through emissions, so I do not even need a catalytic converter anymore even though I kind of already removed the exhaust since it was rusted to pieces.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 5:15 PM
Tiny
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And I do not think the smog laws in Washington are very strict. I have taken a look at some performance parts but I worry about if it will fit or if it is made for my truck or even if it will actually make it better.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 5:26 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

How much are you looking to spend? Are you just wanting to do bolt-on performance products? Are you wanting to do internal engine items? Also, how many miles are on the engine?
Danny-
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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
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  • 108 POSTS
198,246 is the exact mileage and I am pretty much okay with any part as long as I do not have to pull the motor. My price range is $1,500.00 and under. I do plan on saving up and doing these upgrades over time.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Okay, I will do some research and get back to you tomorrow.
Danny-
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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 9:18 PM
Tiny
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  • 108 POSTS
Thank you. Take as much time as you need I am in no rush.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2018 AT 9:19 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Have not forgotten about your truck just been busy. Talk to you soon.
Danny-
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Monday, August 6th, 2018 AT 7:44 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 108 POSTS
It is all good anything you can offer would be great. The most I have found on any kind of an upgrade is just a set of headers everything else I see is for newer Dakota's or just different vehicles.
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Tuesday, August 7th, 2018 AT 2:05 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Well, as you know Dakota's are cool but the most upgrades were available for the V8 editions. I have had a hard time locating a company that offers a lot to the V6's. As you mentioned you can get a set of headers and a free flowing exhaust. If you use that with a PROM chip and cold air Intake those are the most easy/cheapest/bolt-on you can do without removing the engine and your budget. Pictures attached. Otherwise, The rest is internal engine modifications and rear differential gear changes. I will keep looking, but that engine is kind of limited. Hope this helps and I will keep an eye out for you. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 AT 2:48 AM
Tiny
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How difficult is it to wire in a performance chip? Do I have to cut and splice wires from the original computer?
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Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 AT 3:29 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

It is easy. You just plug the tuner into the OBD2 port and the tune is installed by pressing buttons on the tuner answering a few questions and it is installed. After being installed you remove the tuner from the OBD2 port and it is saved in your trucks PCM. Takes about ten minutes. At any time you can remove the tune for any reason and put back to stock. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Danny-
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Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 AT 6:31 PM

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