3.7 vs 3.9 - Customdakotas.com Forums

rudeboi · 06-29-2009, 01:13 PM

i have a choice of buying a 04 or or 01 dakota with about the same about of miles on it so i was wondering the ups and downs of the 3.7 and how mod able it is compared to the 3.9 and how do they compare in gas millage
thanks

SH0K0TA · 06-29-2009, 01:15 PM

i've never driven a 3.7 but mine is a 3.9. as far as mods go... you gotta do some research. i wanna say the 3.9 has the larger mod market cuz the mods for the 5.2 can be used on the 3.9.

but the 3.7 i believe stock for stock is better on gas. but the 3.9 isn't bad either lol

rudeboi · 06-29-2009, 01:46 PM

i looked and kant really find much mods for the 3.7 but then again there are not many for the 3.9 available either and the 3.7 is still in prduction so it should b expanded but wouldnt i run into problems in the engine bay of a gen 2 since most 3.7 are gen 3's

87DakBuilder · 06-29-2009, 05:22 PM

The 3.9's came in Gen II/III, so you won't have any problems with the engine bay compartment. Also there are way more mod's for the 3.9 as opposed to the 3.7's at this time. Keep in mind what Mike/Sho said is true. The 3.9 has the advantage of a longer production run, therefore there are more known mods available for that platform as opposed the the 3.7. The 3.7 and 4.7 suffer from the same problems which are lack of aftermarket support in the way of performance parts...... Stock for stock the 3.7 is a better starting point, as it makes more hp/tq, but that is about it, the 3.9 has the avantage of intakes mods, along with underdrive pulley's, cams, pistons, and TB's that can be swapped, not to mention exhaust and pcm upgrades, depending on which version 3.9 you have. I'm very biased as I've built two 3.9's, and I'm planning on doing a turbo version of one in the near future, but in the end the choice is yours bro. Be different like all of us Dodge fanatics.

**98Dak408** · 06-30-2009, 08:59 AM

It stands to reason that you could also get a 3.9 cam reground to 5.2 specs if you wanted a cam. The 3.9 is essentially a 5.2 sans two cylinders. Something like a 210 cam profile might be interesting.

87DakBuilder · 07-01-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98Dak408

It stands to reason that you could also get a 3.9 cam reground to 5.2 specs if you wanted a cam. The 3.9 is essentially a 5.2 sans two cylinders. Something like a 210 cam profile might be interesting.

Rich is correct, and there are also cam grind currently available for 3.9's, I'm not sure about the 3.7's though.

93DakspoRT · 07-10-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87DakBuilder

Rich is correct, and there are also cam grind currently available for 3.9's, I'm not sure about the 3.7's though.

Who makes/sells the reground cams?

87DakBuilder · 07-14-2009, 07:42 AM

Try www.hughesengines.com, or COMP Cams - Performance Camshafts, Valve Train, & Much More, Crane Cams. Also look in the summit and jegs books, or give one of them a call. You may have some luck with Mancini Racing Enterpises as well, but I don't remember. IMO hughes does the most for v6 engine builders.

87DakBuilder · 07-14-2009, 07:45 AM

I'd try using www.hughesengines.com, IMO they offer the most for v6 engines. If you don't find what you are looking for there, contact either comp cams, crane cams, or lunati cams. Those are the three main manufacturers of performance cams out there right now.