[00BlueSport]

So I've been wanting to turbo my truck for a while. However, I don't know what I need. I know I'm told new fuel pump, throttle body, and even low compression pistons. But I'm looking at bare minimum while keeping my truck in running order. I don't want to damage the engine.

So what exactly do I need? Also, my roommate sent me an ebay link and I want to know what you guys think.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...d&_nkw=2000+dodge+dakota+heat+shield&_sacat=0

Oh, and can someone point me towards some detailed instructions? If I do this it will be my first time with a turbo. I might be able to figure it out but... :huh:

 

[91dak239]

you need to custom fabricate turbo headers, turbo, intercooler, bigger injectors , fuel pump, blow off or bypass value, waste gate, wide band air fuel gauge, new exhaust to mae to the turbo, and tuning. at a minimum. Its not cheap and if you have a shop do everything expect 5-10k+ in cost. even if you do everything your probably about 3k parts at a minimum.

 

[91dak239]

also there are NO off the shelf kits for Turboing a Dakota or Durango, that stuff on ebay is total bull.. If you want to do this you better be one hell of a mechanic and skilled fabricator or your filthy rich and can pay people to do it for you at which point why bother the cost on a v6.

 

[00BlueSport]

Well that is good to know. So there is no way for it to be cheaper than $3k? I confidence that I could do it but it isn't worth it at those kind of prices.

 

[91dak239]

Doubtful if you could, a good turbo is around 1k even a cheap but good one like an HX35 would be 3-500 for a legit holset in fair shape. Wastegate and BOV both run about 200 each injectors are roughly 50-60 each so thats about 300, fuel pump another 100, tuning could run between 4-600 you'll want it on a dyno though so thats not cheap plus the cost of piping and flanges, intercooler and its piping. Plus untold nickle and dime expenses throughout a project like this.

 

[00BlueSport]

That is awesome to know. I wanted to go a different route than most but it looks like s 5.9 swap is in my future.

 

[httrdd]

Yea went through this. I priced pistons and connecting rods at 1200 bucks. F that. Lol. I went with the 5.2 swap with a mild build.

 

[00BlueSport]

Its just an exciting prospect to turbo my truck. But as it seems it won't happen. Any reason you went for the 5.2 vs the 5.9?

 

[httrdd]

It was for mating abilities since my tranny is the same nv3500 that the 5.2 uses and that it is supposed to get pretty good gas mileage. Doubt that will happen with all the mods I have in the motor though lol

 

[87DakBuilder]

I know this is am extremely old thread, but I'm going to turbo my 3.9 Dakota. I'm sure I'll be able to do it for under 3K. The difference here is, I'm going to build everything myself, and take advantage of people out there that are getting out of the hobby. I essentially will be doing all of the work myself. Sourcing parts where I can. Doing a turbo build on a 3.9 is basically the same cost wise as doing a 5.2/5.9 swap, especially if you go into the motor and do cam, intake, headers and the other common mods to accompany a v8 swap. The 3.9 build is different and requires more skill, so I'm going that route.