New RT Owner

[alshadow]

HI,

I am the proud owner of 01 R/T in Garnet Red that I have had for about 2 weeks. One of the reasons I decided on an R/T was the almost universally positive posts I have read on this and other Durango sites.

I must be a Dodge fan as I also own a 98 Dakota 4x4, 5 spd. w/ a Kenne Bell supercharger. Also own a complete and running 35 KC pickup that has been in family since 36.

My only criticism so far is that the trans. locks up at too low a speed most of the time. I usually drive w/ a fairly light foot and have been getting around 15 MPG on first couple of tanks.

I am primarily interested in performance improvement ideas & add ons. I would prefer to go down the normally aspirated route w/ this vehicle.

I am willing to go into engine w/ cams, heads, rockers, etc. but would prefer to start w/ bolt ons that would not later conflict w/ internal engine changes.

Budget is pretty flexible, so don't spare the suggestions.

Thanks,

Larry

[Kevin_Rants]

Larry, you can get some good gains with
- a flowmetrics billet TB
- K&N GenII
- cat back exhaust
- headers
- ported intake and heads

I am new to Durangos also but owned a Dakota prior to the Durango. Good luck.

[Truckster]

Kevins right on the money. Other simple suggestions, UD pullies, have them, was amazed that they as big of a difference as they did. Autolite 3930 plugs and a nice set of aftermarket wires, and most definatly, if mopar ever offers one, a Mopar Performance PCM. there is a Surango R/T running around here, lives somewhere up the same dang hollow as me!!! We passed each other the other day and were just checking out each other's rides (have a 99 Dakota R/T BTW.) have fun, I don't see how you couldn't thouh

Brian

[alshadow]

Kevin & Brian,

Thanks for the suggestions. Get right on them. You mention ported & polished intake manifold. Does anyone offer an aftermarket manifold that is better?

Also, any suggestions on cams, heads, and headers?

Thanks again,

Larry

[Old guy]

Talk to Marty at KC Performance about intake manifolds. He should soon have the Mopar MPI that has the flange for a throttle body.

[Outlaw_D]

They already have the Dual Plane M1's the Single Planes arent out yet.

South East R/T Club is having a group buy on the dual planes

(www.southeastrt.com)