Hey my buddy just got a BLACK Dakota R/T, i'm not sure what year. From what I've been reading the 5.9 isnt the best motor. Kinda dissapointing, I was siked on all those cubes. Whats some good bang for the buck mods for these things? I think I already got him interested in a 75 shot, but what else? Not looking to spend too mcuh either, maybe a grand total. Whats the compression ration on these engines? Whats the final drive ratio? And what times do they turn up stock? I think hes coming to the track with me tomorow.
first 2.45
second 1.45
third 1.0
fourth .69
reverse 2.21
compression 9-1
CC r/t's are in the low - mid 15's all stock
RC r/t's are low 15 - high 14's all stock
if its an RC r/t, i used these parts on a local 1999 yellow to turn 13.4's:
52mm holley tb
K&N cold air kit
M1 manifold
HS custom billet 1.7 roller rockers
mopar headers w/ 3" single exhaust and dual 2 1/2" tailpipes using a flowmaster 40
mopar tq converter
transgo kit
4:56 gear
caltracs
28x11.50x15 tall slicks
let me know if he needs some advice.
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John
www.southeastperformance.com
"southeastrt "
I am doing some research on building a fast dakota. I have a dodge ram 1500 with the 5.9 and I think it make more than sufficent power for my truck. I was looking for a dakota with the 5.9 with the though that bigger is always better. Can you provide a little more insite. Also if the 5.9 is pooh in the dakota, what motor would you sugest?
Where can I get the mopar pcm and the intake? Could he brake 14's with that(its a crew cab). Whats a say shot of nitrous for this truck? Think a 75 shot will break into 13's?
There is nothing wrong with the 5.9 motor...with over 15 years in production in dodge vehicles, with no major changes, wouldn't you thing dodge did something right? I just learned this week that head cracking near the exhaust valve or between the exhaust and intake valves is common when heads do crack...I am replacing myne with the stock set off my buddies '99 CC R/t, i'm also reworking his stock valves and using them too...my motor has 151k on it and that is the first major problem i have had
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'94 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4
5.9L V8
Fabtech 5.5" Suspension Lift
35/12.50/15 Dick Cepeck Mud Country
Mickey Thompson Classic IIs
40 Series Flowmaster w/no cat
MacPerformance Intake
Hughes 14" Cone Filter
R/T Heads and Valves
ARB Locker comin
The 5.9 360 engine is reliable. Not powerful, but reliable. The stock cam has somewhere in the lower 400's lift. The heads don't flow well. The stock timing is not very advanced. Stock compression is LOW. Thus you get a reliable, semi-strong engine.
If you have performance in mind... this is the order of the steps in which I would take (depending on what all you planned on doing. Or not doing)
1) Catback exaust.
2) M1 intake manifold with a new intake set up (does WONDERS)
if you want to spend the money
3) Cam and springs (480-510 lift)
4) B&G Chrysler Computer (to spec)
5) Nitrous
1)&2) should put the motor from around 255 hp to 285+
3)&4)should put you right at around 350+
I listed 4) after 3) because you want to do ALL engine modifying BEFORE you send your comp off to have it "messaged", so that they can tune it to YOUR engine specs.
If you dont do 3) still the comouter upgrade is an easy 30-40 Horse upgrade.
After all is said and done, DEFINITELY go with the nitrous. The engine comes with low compression so 100 shot is easy. I personally use a 150 shot from NX with 1-4 done to my engine. (I have headers to...) but I'm sittin at just over 500 hp with nitrous. With an estimated 19% drivetrain loss, 525 hp @ flywheel, 430 to the wheel.
Your friend will EAT lighnings, cobras, vettes, ect. (suprise a stock viper too!!!)
All of this is STILL cheaper than buying a new Supercharger and having it installed, which = MAYBE 350 hp. maybe.
Freind Just got a Dakota R/T, what to do????
