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Mild performance upgrades - 1998 Durango #2832256
10/13/20 11:40 AM
10/13/20 11:40 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,156
Plymouth, MI
Blusmbl Offline OP
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Blusmbl  Offline OP
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Plymouth, MI
Quick one for the experts here. A friend got a 1998 Durango 5.2 in pretty nice shape and he is slowly building it into a trail rig. It has 33x10.50 BFG's now, a sweet homemade front bumper, a catback exhaust, and other real minor stuff. I've driven it offroad in a few different locations now and really like it. It runs fine but really is gutless above 3000 rpm. The engine only has about 100k miles on it but it is mostly idle hours (long story). Planning on a rebuild over the winter. In the meantime, are there any good bang for the buck performance upgrades? What is the preferred way to tune the ECU? Do they wake up well with a cam swap? I understand the heads are limited to 0.500" lift or less. I'll likely do some cleanup port work on it as well. Is it worth finding a 5.9 instead of rebuilding the 5.2?

Thanks!


'18 Ford Raptor, random motorcycles, 1968 Plymouth Fury III - 11.37 @ 118
Re: Mild performance upgrades - 1998 Durango [Re: Blusmbl] #2832291
10/13/20 01:20 PM
10/13/20 01:20 PM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 77
Mentor, OH
doggs330 Offline
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Mentor, OH
Not sure if any place supports the magnum small blocks more than Hughes. There is a lot of reading to be done in their tech section.

http://www.hughesengines.com/TechArticles/magnum_engines_articles.php

Quote
Either of these cams alone will increase low end torque considerably. We are talking in the neighborhood of 12-18 lb/ft of increased torque and it will continue to pull hard above 3000 rpm where the stock cam flattens out. No other modifications besides springs & retainer kit (part #1199) such as computer changes or tuners, will be required to use these cams. Need even more power? Check our cam list or give us a call.

Last edited by doggs330; 10/13/20 01:25 PM.
Re: Mild performance upgrades - 1998 Durango [Re: Blusmbl] #2832459
10/13/20 08:42 PM
10/13/20 08:42 PM
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Posts: 2,709
541 slobovia
A990 Offline
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This guy does good things with the 5.2/5.9 for offroad and towing
http://utawesomeperformance.com/kegger-vrp.html

Last edited by A990; 10/13/20 08:42 PM. Reason: speeling
Re: Mild performance upgrades - 1998 Durango [Re: A990] #2833084
10/15/20 04:10 PM
10/15/20 04:10 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,156
Plymouth, MI
Blusmbl Offline OP
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Blusmbl  Offline OP
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Thanks guys, I like the idea of a cam that doesn't require tuning!


'18 Ford Raptor, random motorcycles, 1968 Plymouth Fury III - 11.37 @ 118
Re: Mild performance upgrades - 1998 Durango [Re: Blusmbl] #2833096
10/15/20 04:58 PM
10/15/20 04:58 PM
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Posts: 12,406
Kalispell Mt.
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HotRodDave Offline
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Kalispell Mt.
Get hughes smallest cam, clean up the ports with a good valve job run thinnest head gaskets you can find (I like to buy a single mr gasket MLS and use one outer layer for each side with some copper spray sealant for a very nice compression and quench bump). Ford 1997-2003 5.4 yellow injectors atomize the fuel better and flow a tiny bit more fuel and can be had dirt cheap at the junkyard.

On the other hand a 5.9 bolts right in with no other changes needed butt MPG will suffer a little bit.

The changes I listed will help MPG but could also be done to a 5.9 on a stand on the side while driving you durango till the motor is ready.


I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!



Re: Mild performance upgrades - 1998 Durango [Re: Blusmbl] #2833101
10/15/20 05:16 PM
10/15/20 05:16 PM
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Salem
Grizzly Offline
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Salem
Originally Posted by Blusmbl
Is it worth finding a 5.9 instead of rebuilding the 5.2?

Thanks!


Yes. +35 lb/ft and a cheaper and more reliable way to go than spending money on cams, intake manifolds, headers and such.

As for the "tuners", well, if that stuff actually worked there would be tons of them on the road......and there isn't. twocents

Don't rule out putting a cheap EBay turbo on it. Apparently, if you keep it under 7lbs of boost the factory system can work with it.


Mo' Farts

Moderated by "tbagger".
Re: Mild performance upgrades - 1998 Durango [Re: Grizzly] #2833117
10/15/20 06:39 PM
10/15/20 06:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,327
Toronto (YYZ) Ontario
YYZ Offline
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IMHO torque will be your friend. The Durangos are heavy, my '99 4WD tipped the scales at 5500#

As others have stated, a low-mile 5.9 is probably your best bang-for-the-buck, along with shortie headers and some of the other tweaks.

Question for the other board members -- how difficult would a 5.7 swap be?

Re: Mild performance upgrades - 1998 Durango [Re: YYZ] #2833160
10/15/20 09:02 PM
10/15/20 09:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,483
Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
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Freeport IL USA
Originally Posted by YYZ
IMHO torque will be your friend. The Durangos are heavy, my '99 4WD tipped the scales at 5500#

As others have stated, a low-mile 5.9 is probably your best bang-for-the-buck, along with shortie headers and some of the other tweaks.

Question for the other board members -- how difficult would a 5.7 swap be?


Everything is different between a 5.2/5.9 and a 5.7. We did that swap on my son's ride (not a Durango). Wiring, computer, motor mounts, motor & trans, exhaust location, power steering pump, radiator and I'm sure I've missed something. The bottom line is, if you want a Hemi Durango, go buy one, you will be money ahead.
For the record, I wasn't impressed with the performance improvement of a 5.9 over a 5.2 either, bottom end was a bit more fun, but above 3,000, I didn't see much difference, and that was in a light truck. Gene







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