2001 Dak V6. Cold air intake or exhaust?

[01MagnumV6]

i have a 2001 dakota sport w/ the 3.9 V6. I want to make it faster for a lil bit of money. (preferably under $400) my question is should i get cold air intake or an exhaust system? if cold air what kind. if exhaust what kind and is stainless steel worth the extra money? Any help is appriciated.

[Lesley]

Well, if you are trying to save money, just get a good flow through muffler for now, as the stock exhaust is stainless steel. You should get a cold air intake too (K&N FIPK). Whatever upgrades you make in intake (eg: TB, air intake) you should balance with output (muffler, headers, exhaust).

[finelightbeer]

if you can catch some nice deals, you may be able to do both for 400


flowmaster 40 series runs about 60-70 bucks, and if you drop in replace instead of new catback exhaust, shouldnt be much, maybe 50 bucks to have it installed. then you have a decent sound. then you have over 250 bucks to find a decent cold air kit. mine was on sale from krc (i think) for 180.

then finish out your exhaust when you get more cash flow.

granted, i dont have the 3.9, but it shouldnt be much different in prices

[RedDak47]

Lesley...

What stock exhaust is STAINLESS???

Ive never heard that, and on my 99, and my 2000, and even on the 02 Im looking at now, they all have aluminized. Is there an option from dodge for stainless???

Jonas

[Lesley]

Jonas, mine is stainless, I bought it used though.
I've been spending a fair bit of time on the Durango forum, and they say their systems are stainless - I just assumed everyone's was.

[RedDak47]

Ok people, please correct me if Im wrong here.

Lesely, you bought a used exhaust.. but you list as having the Borla.. is it possible the you bought a stainless borlas system and not a stock system??

Ive really just never heard of a stainless system being available on the dakota? Im not sure of the durango.

Jonas

[Lesley]

I bought a used dak with (apparently) stainless exhaust pipes. Bought the Borla muffler about 2 months ago, had it cut into existing system. Dunno if my dak came with it originally, I'm just reiterating what the custom exhaust shop told me. I wanted to price getting the whole system done - he told me I didn't need it because I already had stainless. You know what? I'll check that out tomorrow and let you know. I don't do my own exhaust work and never had any reason to question.

[RedDak47]

I got ya!

Why cant something that cool ever happen to me!

Anyway, anyone else know FOR SURE what comes on the dak. I know aluminized comes on the 99 and 00 (I just cut it off in favor of a new stainless MBRP system). But I wont rule out the idea that stainless may be an option.

Jonas

[biggerhammer]

mine is a 2000 model, and it had a stainless exhaust, I believe it was listed in my brochure as stainless also

[blownoffroadste]

are stainmless as well-listed in brochures too

[Lesley]

Thanks Biggerhammer, I was starting to doubt my sanity!
I've had my dak for almost 3 years, I polish the tailpipe with steel wool, it gets the tarnish off it, and I knew it was steel!

[CW25]

Well people you are both right the exhaust is stainless up to the muffler and aluminized muffler and tail pipe. Dodge uses the stainless steel part for advertizing purposes.

[Lesley]

Hey Jonas
Yes, my system is all stainless, including the tailpipe.
Page 18 of my brochure says: All Dodge Dakota models include long-life stainless steel exhaust system.
Mufflers and tailpipes are part of the optional packages.

[BILL THOMPSON]

most chrysler trucks + cars come with stainless exhaust my 1987 dak has it.The stainless you guys are thinking of is polished or really high grade stainless from the factory they use lower line stainless so it gets a rust scale but usually doesn't rust out just your muffler does it's steel.my exhaust is original 1987 front to back and no changes less unplugging the cat.

[Lesley]

Thanks Bill!
Hey, what happened to that new guy, hope we didn't scare him off!

[01MagnumV6]

no im still here. you guys debated whether or not the dak comes w/ it but is buyin the aftermarket stainless system worth it. like i could buy flowmaster, aluminized, for like 3-350 or i can buy gibson stainless for 420? is the stainles worth the extra saving?

[Lesley]

I guess it depends on how your budget is right now. Go for the stainless muffler for sure, and if you can afford to do the whole thing, do it. If not, just do the muffler for now as the stock system (!) should last a long time, and you can do your intake, TB, headers or whatever in the meantime. Stainless is definitely worth the money over aluminized (just my opinion).

[fourgivn1]

Dumb question....are the 02's stainless as well? I just got the dropin muffler because of the fact that a) it saved me money *L* and b) the pipes are 2.5" which is the right size for the mufflers. I believe that they are....but I've been known to be wrong. (Many times.