Most important Mods.. Im really doing it :)

steltz · Dec 7, 2004

Most important Mods. I'm really doing it

I know you guys talk about it all of the time. I'm about to make about $500 worth of engine mods, Christmas present.

What do you guys recommend will be the most effective for my bucks?

Cold air and throttle body??

IF so what kinds?

Thanks so much for your input.

Matt

steltz · Dec 7, 2004

I have a 4x4 99' 5.9L 83K miles

Chicago D · Dec 7, 2004

If you're just doing bolt-ons my opinion is cold air and a cat-back. That'll be close to $400 right there if you're doing the work yourself. For cold air I'd go with Airraid or something similar, K&N is nice but twice as much. The cat-back isn't a huge power gain but it definetly makes mine stand out more than other D's without it. I have flowmaster on mine, but have heard a lot of good about Gibson. As for throttle boddies I have been told no change in gas mileage or power, so I never bothered putting one on.

steltz · Dec 7, 2004

thanks for the input.

I already have flowmaster 30 series

single in dual out turn downs

and nerf bars

RobDA · Dec 7, 2004

The catback's kinda overkill- You already have good pipes,
and you have got a better muffler already. Aside from headers,
you're good to go, exhaustwise.

For cold air, look into Intense Performance; and for a throttle body,
go with the best- Call the Fastman! They're both DOC Corporate
Sponsors, and wouldn't do you wrong.

Swingshiftworker · Dec 7, 2004

After just completing about $10k in mods on my D over the past 5 months, my suggestion is to spend $430 on B&G Chrysler's M1 Flash for your D and another $120 (or so) on an Intense Performance Stage II air intake with a 9" Big Mouth Filter. This'll put you at $550, but it's worth it.

The M1 flash will immediately improve shifting, air-fuel flow and acceleration in your D and the air intake will take advantage of the changes in air/fuel mix caused by the M1 flash. These mods are the foundation to further engine mods, including the Fastman 52mm TB, the M1 intake manifold, headers, pipes and muffler, and will be $ well spent.

Coach · Dec 7, 2004

Unfortunately, Intense Performance still isn't in production at the moment, otherwise that's definitely one to get. Hopefully they'll start back up again soon and go with their intakes. You can expect 12-15 HP gains with it.

The B&G flashes I have always heard good things about, however I prefer the Mopar Performance PCM myself. You get just as good (if not better) performance gains and you can get them much cheaper. I have organized a group buy for them and you can get it for $306.50 (which also includes programming in your VIN and mileage.) Normally Mopar PCM's run around $400 from the dealer, plus another $80 to have your vehicle info programmed into them, but the group buy going on includes both at one low price. Another advantage of getting the Mopar PCM is that if you ever need to tow, you can easily switch out between your performance PCM and the stock one. Can't do that with any custom flashes. Anyway, the group buy is being done through John at www.southeastperformance.com so give him a call or email them if you're interested. You can expect 25-30 HP gains with the PCM upgrades.

The Fastman TB is also a good investment. It normally runs around $250 I believe, however you can also mention another group buy to him and you can get it for $219 instead. I believe the Fastman TB will get you 10-12 HP, if I remember correctly.

So, $306.50 and $219 and you're right around your $500 mark. Then wait until after the first of the year and get your intake when (hopefully) Intense Performance starts making them again.

Swingshiftworker · Dec 7, 2004

I believe the Mopar PCM will work for a 99 D like Steltz's, but wouldn't work and isn't available for later D's like my 2001 SLT.

Also, from my understanding, based on what I have read on DOC and from Fastman, the B&G M1 flash is preferable to the Mopar PCM, but I can't tell you specifically why that's.

All I can tell you is that the B&G flash works flawlessly with all of my engine mods and was well worth the money.

Coach · Dec 7, 2004

You're correct about the years. Performance PCM's are available for 1992-2000 vehicles only. I'm not sure about which is better. I spoke with Dan a while back on the phone (I was looking to buy a new PCM or get a custom flash at the time) and seems like he said that the Mopar was my best bet. He said that it was great for engines that were stock or had a bunch of bolt on mods (i.e. Fastman TB, Intake, 180 t-stat, 3923 plugs, performance headers and exhaust, etc.) He did say that the custom flashes were the best for engines that had serious modifications (such as ported heads and other major internal changes, as well as supercharged motors.)

I can't say which is better (only which is better for me) because I don't have both and have never seen dyno numbers comparing the two on like engines and many people I know that have gone with B&G have sank some serious cash into their D's engine. Most others that go with the simpler bolt on mods have gone with the Mopar. However, I use my D many times throughout the year to haul my boat out to the lake and that's something that you can't do with either the B&G flash or the Mopar Performance PCM. Thus, it comes in handy to have my stock PCM around to change out when needed (less than five minutes to swap.)

Dan's much more experienced and knowledgable than I'm. He deals with these things all the time, so I'd say to the thread starter to give him a call and see what PCM route would be best for him and his future plans for the D, while also comparing the prices. He doesn't sell PCM's last time I checked, so he's not going to be biased and he knows how to get the most out of our D's and Dak's.

skitzo.d · Dec 7, 2004

I have the same D as you. I have added a few things to mine and am very happy with the way it works so far. from my signature, you can see what I have added. Since you already have the muffler, I'd do the cold air intake and the TB from Fastman. I did the muffler last and it made a world of difference with my other mods. I expect a Mopar PCM in the mail in a few days and can let you know my thoughts on how much better it feels when I get that on. I figure that when the PCM goes on, I'll be done with the engine mods for a little while and it's on to the external mods. It's nice to have a truck that looks good, but I'd rather have it run better? :O)

I ran 202 RWHP on a Dyno this March. If John Warnet hooks us up with a meet at Bob Ida's again, I'll run it again and swap the PCM after the first 2 runs to get a real world figure on what I gained by adding the Flowmaster 40 on it.

Fastman · Dec 7, 2004

Challenge has been issued

Chicago D said:
If you're just doing bolt-ons my opinion is cold air and a cat-back. That'll be close to $400 right there if you're doing the work yourself. For cold air I'd go with Airraid or something similar, K&N is nice but twice as much. The cat-back isn't a huge power gain but it definetly makes mine stand out more than other D's without it. I have flowmaster on mine, but have heard a lot of good about Gibson. As for throttle boddies I have been told no change in gas mileage or power, so I never bothered putting one on.

ChicagoD I don't know who told you modded TB's don't do anything for you so I challenge you to give one a try. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I sell my TB's satisfaction guaren'teed or I'll refund your money if not happy. This offer is for anyone reading this. Please visit my website www.thefastman.com and email or call me. I'll give the same special pricing as I have for anyone who has contacted me the past year. With a tremendous list of satisfied customers since 1998 it bothers me to read this kind of misinformation out there.

Happy Holidays

The Fastman

Thrush · Dec 7, 2004

Listen to Dan, he definately knows his way around the Magnum motor. This is my second Durango, and hence my SECOND TB from Dan (the first was 50mm on my 318 and now a 52mm on my 360.) This TB and the Cold Air Kit from K&N were my first bolt-ons, and you WILL feel a definite increase in power, gas mileage (if only slight) and throttle response.

steveomatic · Dec 7, 2004

Maybe Chicago was talking about a throttle body spacer, which I understand is worthless on our D's. The throttle body from Fastman is my next engine mod, it should help out that IP intake and Flowmaster I'm already sportin?

Chicago D · Dec 7, 2004

Sorry for the confusion, I was referring to the spacer, I guess I should have read his post more clearly, I thought that was what he was talking about

. But I don't have a modded T/B either so maybe I'll make that my next mod.
As for cat-back being over kill I agree and wouldn't have suggested it, but he didn't say he had pipes on it already.
Thanks for the info guys.
Todd

Scarlett · Dec 7, 2004

Hi Matt!
My vote goes also for the Fastman TB!but for $500 + bucks, you can just about get the TB and the Cold Air Intake as well. I added both to my '01 RT and together they work beautifully delivering peak performance. I'm still happy.

steltz · Dec 8, 2004

Skitz.o it'd be great to know how that Mopar PCM treats you. Please let me know.

Scarlett its good to know that you liked your TB and Air intake, that's what I'm most likely going to get.

I just got my stock PCM replaced a few months ago, but it was free under "governmental" warranty. It was giving me a check engine light which was a PCM problem and not an engine problem.

Intense Performance doesn't have any Intakes available right now, that's no good. Is there any available at all? Is it important to get the cold air intake, or is Stage II from intense performance all I need?

I think I'll get the TB, how do I call Fastman?

Also I planning on getting 33" tires and a 2 or 3 inch body lift this summer. Will getting a new computer help this? Do I need to get a programmer. Or will I need to regear?
I'll ask more questions on the lift and tires when I'm ready to get them next summer.
For now I just want to do the engine mods but maybe it's something you guys might want to consider when giving me reccommendations.

Thanks so much for all yiour input,
Matt

RobDA · Dec 8, 2004

I first got the Fastman TB. I was happy.
But I could hear the restriction in the stock intake? Kind of a "Whoooosh"
noise at certain throttle applications.

Then I added the Intence Performance Stage II. I was more happy.

Then came the Flowmaster 50 DF. Opened it all up nicely. Varoooom!
I was happy.

Then I added the Fastman-ified M1 intake and 1.7 roller rockers.
Happy? Ohhhhh, you betcha!

Then, the Mopar Performance PCM. Whoooooodoggie, this puppy helped
wake up all the other mods- Hit the gas, and the plant roars, the butt
sinks in the seat, and it just keeeeeeeps goooooooing!

Umm, so anyway? yep, I'm happy.

SouLRioT · Dec 8, 2004

Where would you get a B&G flash from?

Coach · Dec 8, 2004

http://bgchrysler.com for the B&G flash. You have to call them. They don't list it on their site.

Edit: Here's their number. (586) 758-2003

skitzo.d · Dec 8, 2004

steltz said:
Intense Performance doesn't have any Intakes available right now, that's no good. Is there any available at all? Is it important to get the cold air intake, or is Stage II from intense performance all I need?
Matt

I don't have the cold air inlet. I was in Kansas last summer with 106 degree temps and no issues with power. The colder the air, the better, but then you're restricting air to your cone filter? you wouldn't be disappointed either way.

Most important Mods.. Im really doing it :)

steltz

steltz

Chicago D

steltz

RobDA

Swingshiftworker

Coach

Swingshiftworker

Coach

skitzo.d

Fastman

Thrush

steveomatic

Chicago D

Scarlett

steltz

RobDA

Attachments

SouLRioT

Coach

skitzo.d

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities