3.9 V6

[InTeNsE98RT]

3.9 V6, a sign of weakness or potential?

[venom]

I would much rather have a sick ass RT 5.9 but I had the 3.9 liter with JBA headers gibson Exhaust and Edelbrock Intake and the thing sounds awesome, I have people all the time thinkin its an RT, and she doesnt mind smokin the tires in third gear either. :mullet:

[themongrel]

Its all about how much you like to tinker. I am now close to 5 grand into the motor including the top end work, turbo and nitrous setup just to get into the high 13's!! My dragster on the other hand has about the same amount invested and it runs 8.20's on a bad track with almost zero hook... I am about being a little different though, hence the "rice" look of the nose... Just my .02

[fijigabe0]

there's a lot of stuff out there that can be done to the 3.9L... all depends on imagination and the compromises you are willing to live with.

you aren't going to be as powerful as the 5.9L, but you will be able to brag if you blow by one on the drag strip (when you build it up). However, an R/T with the same mods will embarrass you.

all depends on what you like. if you're unwilling to pull the engine out of your current truck, then live with the 3.9L and be happy... it's better than having a 2.5L (or ford or chevy).

[Dodgerjack]

I've always liked my 3.9. Even bone stock, it has very good throttle response and steps out just fine in normal driving. It also has a reputation as a very durable and reliable unit--many examples of 200,000+ miles without major engine work. I have a somewhat "low" differential gearing of 3.9:1, which probably helps response. But it pulls surprisingly well way up into the RPM range when needed. I also like the automatic transmission, which seems to keep it right on the power curve. It doesn't seem to have a lot of advantage, though, if any, in gas mileage over the 318 V8.

[realdeal7369]

its all in the gearing. if they re-geared the trans a little you would pick up a few more ponies out of it. same with the ram, that big ass thing needs gearing BAD. i know, i had one.

2.85-2.95 first, (2.65 ids stock) makes rear feel like 3.95
1.65 second, (1.45 stock) makes rear feel like 4.04
1.00 third (same) makes rear feel like 3.55
.60 fourth (.68 is stock) makes rear feel like a 2.13 instead of 2.414
then you can stay with the 3.55's in the rear, and your gas mileage will increase too on the highway. subtle change but one i think would be neat to do.

just my opinion.

jim

[fijigabe0]

:redx: good luck finding new gears for the trans. it ain't gonna happen.

better off swaping in a set of lower gears and be done with it.

[realdeal7369]

anything can be made custom. my trans guy said he knows a guy who can do that. wish i did this for my ram a few years back for the first rebuild. for what i spent on the thing, i coulda did it that way and made out in the long run.

[VegasOutkast]

Its all about how much you like to tinker.

Phil hit the nail on the head. Its all about how much you like to tinker.
I dont quite have as much invested Mongrel, I probably pushing $3000 but close to $5000 if you include the rest of the truck. Ive always liked my 3.9 4x4, I think the 3.92 rear is a great blessing to, I never understood why people would always ask me how does it wheel when the truck always gave me more then enough. I own a 5.9 Rango but am far more interested in doing all the little things to my 3.9 that most say not to bother with. :drive:

[Dodgerjack]

Ive always liked my 3.9 4x4, I think the 3.92 rear is a great blessing
Yep, I think this is a great combination. From the first time I drove my '96 4x4 SLT Dakota, it felt just right. Good throttle response, good shifting, really fun to drive--even stock. As soon as I had it off the dealer's lot on a test drive, I was pretty sure it was "my truck."

Some of the little things include: K&N filter, MSD coil, 8mm wires. I'm getting around 15 mpg in town this summer, and performance is more than adequate. Just notice how many times you pull out in front of most people from a stoplight, without really trying. That's good gearing. And the automatic has the right shift points, so you don't blast off and then over-rev from a late shift or bog from an early one.

[go---fish]

Hey guys .. wanted to ask a quick question.. there is two different stock "bolt on" v-8 throttle bodies that will interchange and help the 3.9 -- do ya think go with the bigger 52mm or is that too much CFM and defeating the whole idea? suggestions?