Pentastar performance upgrades

[darthdzl]

I'm also curious about any fuel mileage changes after a K&N CAI. Thanks!

Do you have a link to the K&N? I hadn't been able to find one.

 

[Buddy]

Call me a skeptic but I can show you the same thing with my truck with the right manipulation. Your distance until empty looks like you just filled up meaning it was reset and then driven to achieve maximum fuel economy, meaning you could have driven 45 mph for all we know. A video showing a constant mpg like that would be much better. You don't have anything to prove though, it is your truck so it doesn't matter what I think. There is a guy on the jeep forum who claims to get 25 mpg no problem in a Hemi grand cherokee and posted a video of himself doing it. His video showed driving in 100 degree heat going 55 mph litters lay feet from the backs of semi's, so not even close to real world, so any test can be rigged to show whatever result but of the people on here with v6 trucks your mileage is way above everyone else's. Which wither means you have a unicorn truck that just gets great mileage, or there is some funny math.

These V6 Rams do get great gas mileage, surprised me at how good. When I bought mine a friend bought a V6 Ram. I had him write his km from the odometer at each fillup and took his gas reciepts and calculated his milage a few times. While I am getting 16-17 mpg with my Hemi he is getting 25 mpg with his 6. Both consist of mixed driving. I thought that was amazing!! Calculated a few tanks. It gets it, and thats a fact!!! Personally I keep a small booklet in my truck and calculate every single fillup, always have.
My friend does drive like a nun, never speeds and such. Absolutely fantastic numbers from a truck, unthinkable 5- years ago.

 

[SlowRoller]

K + N CAI: 77-1564KS - K&N Intake Kits, Performance Intake Kit

 

[SlowRoller]

3.6 Magnaflow Cat-backs:
MagnaFlow Exhaust Products - For Trucks, Suv's, American Muscle, Diesel, & Sport Compact Vehicles
MagnaFlow Exhaust Products - For Trucks, Suv's, American Muscle, Diesel, & Sport Compact Vehicles
MagnaFlow Exhaust Products - For Trucks, Suv's, American Muscle, Diesel, & Sport Compact Vehicles

 

[SlowRoller]

DiabloSport indicates both a Trinity and Intune DCX tuner are available for 3.6's,,

 

[darthdzl]

K + N CAI: 77-1564KS - K&N Intake Kits, Performance Intake Kit

3.6 Magnaflow Cat-backs:
MagnaFlow Exhaust Products - For Trucks, Suv's, American Muscle, Diesel, & Sport Compact Vehicles
MagnaFlow Exhaust Products - For Trucks, Suv's, American Muscle, Diesel, & Sport Compact Vehicles
MagnaFlow Exhaust Products - For Trucks, Suv's, American Muscle, Diesel, & Sport Compact Vehicles

DiabloSport indicates both a Trinity and Intune DCX tuner are available for 3.6's,,

Very cool. Thanks!

 

[SlowRoller]

There are times when I wish I had the Penta.

Not regretting the 5.7 I have, but just ~know~ that I have a bit more motor than I actually need for my use (Daily commuter/suburban stop and go/flat roads)

REALLY looking forward to the upcoming 'Penta Up Grade' as I believe it has 'untapped potential',,,

 

[hotpotato]

Here's the Flowmaster Force II review on Amazon.

Amazon.com: Robert Caldwell's review of Flowmaster 817653 Force II 409S Stainless ...

 

[darthdzl]

I found more Magnaflow options on AutoAnything.

Magnaflow Cat Back Exhaust Systems - Reviews, Sound Clips & Install for Magna Flow XL & Pro Exhaust System

It's the first entry after you hit "choose options", and contains some combos that don't exist (like regular cab, 5'7" bed ), but they have two styles: single-to-dual with 2.5" rear outlets and single 3" rear side (stock location) outlet.

 

[SitKneelBend]

I puchased the KN 3.6L CAI and I am awaiting it's arrival. I will post on it once I have it installed. For Exhaust, I used the exhaust off a 2014 Sport and replaced my bumper with a dual cutout bumper off of another 2014 RAM.

After my first oil change (I used Royal Purple) I noticed an immediate MPG bump from 16.5 to 18.7 combined average MPGs (EVIC reading). I'm expecting another bump after I get the KN CAI on. I currently have a SPECTRE Air Filter installed in the stock air box but believe it or not I felt that the MPG when down after installing that!

 

[SitKneelBend]

Here's some more info for the KN CAI...

2015 Upgrade 3.6L Pentastar Ram 1500 Models with More Performance from K&N Air Intake | ATV Illustrated

 

[SitKneelBend]

...And I have read in "another forum" that the flowmaster 70 series mufflers make the v6 exhaust sound more like a proper truck exhaust.

 

[darthdzl]

I also found a "throttle body booster" made by Airaid for the Pentastar.
Airaid - Product Search

Supposedly a fuel economy boost and a performance boost. No idea if either or both are likely.

 

[BlownGP]

I also found a "throttle body booster" made by Airaid for the Pentastar.
Airaid - Product Search

Supposedly a fuel economy boost and a performance boost. No idea if either or both are likely.

NOOOOOO. Waste of money..

 

[SlowRoller]

Yeah, I believe I'd pass on the 'booster',,,

 

[darthdzl]

NOOOOOO. Waste of money..

Yeah, I believe I'd pass on the 'booster',,,

Just putting it out there. It's another product, and those are kinda rare for Pentastars.

 

[2015er]

Says whatever you have to say to justify yourself, if you want to say compared to the hemi it is better in some ways sure, but against ford's 2.7 you are losing the payload fight, hp and torque fight where the pentastar seriously lacks, and you are about the same mileage wise.
The pentastar is a great motor, but it isn't in the same class as ford's EcoBoost, it is a competitor to their 3.5 and gm's 4.3.

I have to respectfully and forcefully disagree! The pentastar is the superior motor compared to the F(ix) O(r) R(epair) D(aily) 2.7L - as I said when ALL is considered - price. performance, longevity, ease of operation, capability, mileage, etc. - I stand by the statement - this 3.6L with the 8 speed transmission and 3.55 gears is THE best drive train on the truck market today - bar none. The mileage figures for the 2.7L are vastly misleading the least amount of heavy foot on the pedal and the mileage numbers tank. Sure the acceleration is better but mileage will drastically reduce if you take advantage of the power. The Eco-boost is a lot of smoke and mirrors in terms of how they advertise its advantages. Lastly, we'll see how these turbo-chargers are performing after high miles are racked up. Sure on some fronts the figures are better but once again - overall - I would take the pentastar any day- especially for the money invested.

Regarding you Hemi guys - I really don't want to argue within the Ram family - the Hemi is a great motor - the envy of the industry in many ways. However, and again - overall considerations - cost and payload factored in - there's a lot to be said for pentastar!

 

[loveracing1988]

I have to respectfully and forcefully disagree! The pentastar is the superior motor compared to the F(ix) O(r) R(epair) D(aily) 2.7L - as I said when ALL is considered - price. performance, longevity, ease of operation, capability, mileage, etc. - I stand by the statement - this 3.6L with the 8 speed transmission and 3.55 gears is THE best drive train on the truck market today - bar none. The mileage figures for the 2.7L are vastly misleading the least amount of heavy foot on the pedal and the mileage numbers tank. Sure the acceleration is better but mileage will drastically reduce if you take advantage of the power. The Eco-boost is a lot of smoke and mirrors in terms of how they advertise its advantages. Lastly, we'll see how these turbo-chargers are performing after high miles are racked up. Sure on some fronts the figures are better but once again - overall - I would take the pentastar any day- especially for the money invested.

Regarding you Hemi guys - I really don't want to argue within the Ram family - the Hemi is a great motor - the envy of the industry in many ways. However, and again - overall considerations - cost and payload factored in - there's a lot to be said for pentastar!

Capability wise how is it better? Ford has ram beat in payload at every trim level and every cab configuration, the 2.7 will out tow the pentastar any day and out accelerate it, those are facts not opinions. This really shouldn't be an argument though, the 2.7 and pentastar are not motors that are direct competition, the 2.7 is marketed as a small v8 replacement, the 3.5 v6 is the pentastar competition.

 

[cgeorgemo]

Capability wise how is it better? Ford has ram beat in payload at every trim level and every cab configuration, the 2.7 will out tow the pentastar any day and out accelerate it, those are facts not opinions. This really shouldn't be an argument though, the 2.7 and pentastar are not motors that are direct competition, the 2.7 is marketed as a small v8 replacement, the 3.5 v6 is the pentastar competition.

We don't get to decide what is competing with what. The fact that they are putting Pentastar engines in both the lower and the higher trim levels means that the Pentastar is competing with the entire line up of engines that the other brands offer.
Ram has decided that the Pentastar is competing with all the other truck motors in the 1/2 ton market.
At this point it would be nice to get this thread back onto the topic of increasing the performance of the Pentastar instead of comparing it to other engines.

 

[SlowRoller]

Just putting it out there. It's another product, and those are kinda rare for Pentastars.

All true.

IMHO, the next gen of Penta 3.6 will have DI with a good bit more TQ,,,

(Might be wishful thinking, but 330 HP and ~300~ TQ would really set the N/A V-6 truck work 'in motion'!!!!)

The more of 'em that are out there, the more probability of aftermarket support!

I say BRING IT ON!!!! The more, the merrier!!!!