Hi all,
I have a 1998 Ram Van 5.2. Engine Mods include high flow cat pipe, 3 inch cat back, and a 14 inch open element air cleaner. I have just installed a Hughes Engines FI Airgap Intake Manifold along with their billet throttle body. I feel a difference in throttle response and the air intake temperature has gone down. I believe the pcm will take time to learn the air flow as it did when I did the air filter and exhaust. I recommend this manifold as it is a big improvement from the stock manifold also Dave at Hughes provides excellent support. Next mod coming is an LSD with 410's or 456's and talking to Marty at KRC about an SCT programmer.
mrdman.
stev
02-12-2008, 08:47 PM
Did any of these mods improve MPG fuel economy? At nearly $3.48 a gallon in my area, I'm looking at daily driving.
van-nut
02-12-2008, 09:41 PM
PICS PICS PICS :D
Please post em if you can!
Sounds like your makeing a Hot Rod van. Are you tradeing some low end power in order to gain more up top?
Is all of that emmision legal in CA?
Pete
mrdman
02-12-2008, 11:20 PM
I did not think the Airgap would help the mpg but according to the scan gauge II it did . I used to get 15 to 18 Hwy and now I have seen it over 20 mpg. The exhaust helped it breath better too.
mrdman
02-12-2008, 11:30 PM
I am trying to build the van to be as quick and powerful as I can. The intake and exhaust mods seemed to make the engine feel like it is not working as hard at the same speeds. It is a heavy vehicle a now that it breaths better it feels like it would benefit with a gear change. The original intake was a non egr, the airgap is also non egr so it will pass the ca sniffer just maybe not the visual. but with the stock air cleaner on it may be over looked.
mrdman
02-13-2008, 12:08 AM
Here is a current pic
Dodgevanman
02-13-2008, 07:26 AM
Nice van!
DANVAN
02-13-2008, 08:45 PM
How much did the intake manifold cost? I could be interested in somthing like that in the furture. How much of a job was it to replace it.
I already did a high flow muffler and a fastman throttle body, both helped. Also have a K&N filer inside the original air cleaner and msd coil and wires.
I highly recommend a gear change, I went from 3.55 to 3.92, what a difference. I didnt go with the 4.10 at the time because I run lower profile tires, 275/60 and figured that my final gear ratio with the tires and the 3.92 was actualy like 4.05, but there are times now I wish I had gone with the 4.10.
This thing performs so much better with those gears, no more bogging down at 45 mph, no more shifting from OD back to 3rd at the slightest little incline. And gas milage was not hurt at all, maybe even increased.
Nice lookin van, bty.
mrdman
02-13-2008, 10:54 PM
DANVAN thanks for the reply,
The intake set me back around 7 bills. The job took around 6 hours. I reset the pcm and I think it is still trying to learn the air flow because it runs a little rough. Kind of like how it did after I did the exhaust. I heard it could take up to 1000 miles to adjust. It feels pretty good though. I think I will go with 410 gears. I am running 30 inch tires and the freeway cruise speed should not be that affected.
After hearing about your performance gains with the 392's, I can't wait to feel the difference.
Your van looks really nice. I prefer the comfort and room of vans over suv's
DANVAN
02-14-2008, 08:05 AM
Thanks.
After posting here I went to their website, that intake might be too steep for me now, I was hoping more like $3-400.00.
But if that commom plenunum gasket ever fails and Im forced to remove the intake, I may change my mind and spend the money on the intake.
My rear end gears ran about $850.00, he replaced gears and all bearings while he was in there, then chaged the gear oil after 500 miles or so. It was worth it.
stev
02-15-2008, 07:01 PM
I did not think the Airgap would help the mpg but according to the scan gauge II it did . I used to get 15 to 18 Hwy and now I have seen it over 20 mpg. The exhaust helped it breath better too.
ohhhhh about 20mpg! Wow and then add the eFan mod and things look really nice for MPG overall. It may reach 21 or 22mpg!
van-nut
02-15-2008, 08:43 PM
Yeah that is pretty impressive.....especially with the raised roof. You would think that the roof wouldn't be helping the MPG's. Then again, if the shape is right, maybe it's actually helping. :dunno:
