Dear Tom and Ray:

Earlier this year I purchased a new Dodge Dakota Sport pickup with the 3.9 liter V-6 Magnum engine and five-speed transmission. I would like to make some minor modifications to the engine to increase the horsepower, but I'm not sure if these modifications are worth the time and money. Plus, I don't want to do anything to damage the engine in the process. The modifications I am considering are as follows: 1) installing a K&N air filter and possibly charger; 2) installing a high-performance exhaust system such as a Flowmaster; 3) installing high- performance spark plugs along with new wires and distributor cap; and 4) replacing the stock computer chip with a performance chip. I also saw something about getting extra horsepower by replacing the gear on the cooling fan. Any advice you could give me regarding these modifications would be greatly appreciated. -- Jeff

Tom: Well, on behalf of the DaimlerChrysler Corp., I'd like to inform you that upon installation of any of these devices, your warranty is completely null and void.

Ray: As it should be. Everything you mention would give you more power -- some more than others -- but they would also work the engine harder and, therefore, wear it out faster. And if I were Dodge, I wouldn't want to pay for your cracked cylinder head under these circumstances, either.

Tom: If you were that keen on more power, you should have opted for the 4.7 liter V-8 engine that's available on the Dakota. For an extra thousand bucks (probably less than you'd spend on all these add-ons), you'd have an extra 60 horsepower AND your warranty intact to boot, Jeff.

Don't get stuck with a lemon. Be an informed shopper. Read Tom and Ray's guide "How to Buy a Great Used Car: Secrets Only Your Mechanic Knows." To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 2000 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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