Got a few ??for the 5.9L performance people

[ba96ta]

Hello everybody. I am new to this forum and I would just like to start out saying that this is hands down the best Dodge Ram forum out there :rck: My father has a 2001 dodge ram 5.9L 4x4 and I promised him I would help make faster (he wants to be able to beat the Hemi's). I have alot of experiance with with moding engines just do not know anything about the 5.9L. I am going to do cold air intake, exhaust, headers, TB, pulleys, and Mopar pc. I am just wondering how good are the heads on the truck? I want to put a decent sized cam in the truck proubly a
206/210-480/512 on a 112 lsa or maybe a 210/220 and would like to know if these heads flow good enough to support it and make good power or would you rcommend some aftermarket heads. I want to get either 1.6 rr's if we do a cam or 1.7rr's if we don't get a cam. Does anybody know what lift is on a stock cam and if it has 1.5 or 1.6rocker arms? and how much lift the stock valve springs can take like if they can take 1.7rr's without a spring swap? would you recommend the 50mm or 52mm fastman TB? Anybody have any good links with tech info on the 5.9L? such as head flow, factory specs for the engine max lift and so on? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks Joe

[pyssed]

First off, welcome to the site and I'm glad you think it's what it is. The cam specs look good but I would recommend r/t heads which have better exhaust flow because of the straight out design. Stay away from 1.7's if you can, especially if you go with an aftermarket cam other than the r/t cam. As for the tb, definitely 52mm if you run with the 206 cam. Why don't you call The Fastman, he would be able to set you up properly.

[ba96ta]

We were looking at the RT heads they have some good flow numbers. But am now looking more at a cleanup-mild port job on the stock ones. I am definitly gonna have to give the fastman a call since I have heard nothing but good things about him and his produucts in the few days I've been viewing these sights.
Also would the mopar computer work on a 01? I only see them for 00 and earlier. Thanks for the help pyssed you guys are great!

Joe

[pyssed]

Depends on when your 2000 was built. If it was early in the production year then yes. You can always go with hypertech or superchips or if you are going to do a cam and some pocket porting on the cylinder heads. I would look into a custom flash from kb or B&G.That would help maximize the cam and heads.

[Waveslider]

Hey Joe,
Check out KRC Performance if you haven't allready. I deal with them alot, there great. Awesome source for tech articles covering all aspects of the magnum powered Dodges.
If you swap cams make sure to go with adjustable rockers. Heard the stainless 1.6 from competition cams are the way to go...... good to 8500 Rpm.
I've been running the Mopars for about a yr now. Have to use the heat-treated pushrods with that particular kit because of the teflon guide-plates.
The comp 604 cam is great cam. (adv..512.512 lift, .264.274 Dur.)
A mild Converter will definatley help get more power to the ground, throw in a shift kit and external tranny cooler.

R/T heads are the only way to go. I ported my stock heads a while back and did not see very good results....although alot of that has to do with who is doing them, and how they are set-up. I used the M.P. single Dampner .525 max lift spring. I can't wait to get some R/T heads. In my particular combo, I should pick up alot, Especially after porting and polishing. I've been looking at the 2.08 "Bee-hive" race heads. I'm planning a stroker, and they'd be sweet with those extra cubes. Now thats what you should do is stroke your motor.
4.020x4.00=406 C.I. / 4.030x4.00=408 C.I.
Thats instant power down low, where you need it most for everyday driving.

Pick the right combo, and the Horsepower gods will bless you! :cool:
Hell, and if not, theres always BOOST :D

[YellaDakRT]

I am going to buy a 95 Ram with 160K on the clock. The motor is still strong as sh*t and doesn't burn a drop of oil. (or so I've noticed I've done the past few oil changes)

Should I do anything to the motor before trying to get some power out of it. It's going to be really tempting to put a blower on it, but with that many miles, I hear that's REALLY bad news...

The concept of a 408 has crossed my mind, is it that much more than a standard rebuild? I have about 3000 budget, should I just save it till the truck blows up? Ultimately I would like it to be boosted on a 408, but wouldn't we all?!?!

Where do you get parts for a 408 stroker, like everything that is required, I want to be able to go to a machine shop, give them all the stuff, and get a nice bigger motor back.

Would it be dumb to run a stock cam and heads? A mild cam would be nice (more top end, the 360's kinda stop building power after 4K RPMs)

Are the R/T heads that much better? I want to run a M1 intake manifold (I think...?) and I have a nice Fastman 52 MM TB sitting around for the truck already...

Who makes good headers? It'll be custom from their back, I don't need Cats around here, no emmissions testing. Thinking single 3" out the stock kinda location (angled down, hidden pipe though)

Please help. I haven't really had a high milage truck before, Should I just let er run??

I honestly wanna focus more on the handling and looks department, but that seems like alot of miles to me...

[Waveslider]

Well, you could always start piecing it together, then once you have everything you'll be set. With 160K on the clock, you may want to leave it alone, and make it last untill you have everything ready.
The 408 has a few clearance grinding issues. Nothing major though.
For 408 C.I., a 52 MM T.B. may not be enough. I'd go with at least a 52x55MM F&B, or the 58MM. R/T heads are much better then stock magnum heads. Check out The FASTMAN or KRC for all the parts. A short-block would be the way to go. Check out Gsmotorsports headers. I'm running tru-duals with no kats and I love it. If no emissions like you say, then thats the way to go.

btw, I see in your sig. it says Cummins. Is that the same truck? The Diesels are 6's you know. 2 Totally diff. animals.

[ba96ta]

Thanks for the tips Waveslider. A stroker may be out of the budget, but I definitly want to get the R/T heads. Because you and a few others seem to agree that the stock ported don't get the same results. I also think I may go with the 512/512 cam instead of the smaller one I was looking at

Joe

[Coop]

ba96ta :

The R/T heads,52mm TB, and 512/512 cam are all good choices. I would recommend checking the gears also. If it has 3.55's I'd move up to 4.10's or 4.56's. If it has 4.10's leave it alone.

[OverFueled]

When you say 5.9L I am guessing you are talking about gas? If you were talking about a 5.9L diesel you would have no problem smoking a hemi. OverFueled