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Thread: I need more power! Please help.

  1. #1
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    Default I need more power! Please help.



    So my lovely 91 rodeo with the 3.1 ,as those who have or has one will know, is gutless. Especially with 31s. I need help getting some power to get through the Colorado mountains. It does it now just not good enough for me. I want more speed. And acceleration. I originally looked at doing a 3.8 series ll swap but I don't have the time money or another vehicle to drive. It currently is chipped and has no muffler is the only mods to the drivetrain. I am also looking into putting a comp cams cam in it. Found a few for the Chevy 3.1l and 3.4l but don't know how much that'll help. I want to push the engine as far as I can. Maybe 200+ horsepower? Maybe more. I don't need a race car just a fast rodeo.

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    What is the gear ratio in your axles?
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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    As a lot of folks would advise, it is often cheaper and easier to sell your current vehicle and purchase something that has more power already (V8). There is always a trade-off though. Power vs mpg. Buying a V8 generally will mean using more fuel than a V6.

    Personally, my 4Runner and truck are both 4 cylinder engines. Slow as snot going up the mountain passes, and can only realistically hold 65mph on a flat highway, but they also get 20mpg in town, and about 22mpg on the highway. When I go to the mountains, I just plan to give myself enough time, and do lots of "sight seeing" at 25mph up I-70.

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    OK so I only get 15-18 mpg now but selling my rodeo is never an option lol it's my first vehicle and I love it! But also the gear ratio is 4.10

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    And I cruise faster then that 70 flat highway and 55 in the mountains but it's just so sluggish and city driving is the worst part just no acceleration

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    Personal opinion is that you probably can't do much better. Being able to move down the highway at reasonable speed, and still get mid to high teens for mpg, that isn't too bad. Depending on the V8, it might get low teens or even single digit mpg.

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    I'm really not worried about mileage I just hate the sluggish and slow acceleration

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    RE-gear it.

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    newracer previously posted:
    "RE-gear it."

    But then I lose the top speed for traveling I would like to keep the gears the same because I'm already at high rpms at 70 mph. And I travel to Vegas (my second home) a lot so I need to be able to hit 80 without problems.

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    Regearing is the easiest. If you don't want to do that, no amount of "cold air" intakes, exhaust, cams or bolt on crap like is going to make much of a difference.

    Could always turbo/supercharge it. But then either of those open up a big can or worms on a vehicle not intended for it.

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    ExplorerTom previously posted:
    "Regearing is the easiest. If you don't want to do that, no amount of "cold air" intakes, exhaust, cams or bolt on crap like is going to make much of a difference.

    Could always turbo/supercharge it. But then either of those open up a big can or worms on a vehicle not intended for it."

    I do believe that with more torque and HP I could easily fixed the slow acceleration problem I only make 120 HP and more of that would help. If I RE gear it I would no longer be able to hit 80 (in a happy rpm range) on the drive to Vegas and it would make it a really boring trip and it'll take way too long.

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    Dakota Rigs previously posted:
    "I'm already at high rpms at 70 mph."

    What does the Tachometer say?

    Edit: You have 31" tires on it now. What size tire came on this vehicle from the factory?
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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    Hypoid previously posted:
    "What does the Tachometer say?

    Edit: You have 31" tires on it now. What size tire came on this vehicle from the factory?"

    If I remember right 3-3.5 range

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    Then go all motor then. Get a big lopey cam, port and polish the heads. Bump the compression. If your intake manifold is aluminum, get that extrude honed. If you don't have a header(s), then get those. If none are available there is Hank's Hotrods in Highlands Ranch and he can build you some- and get that ceramic coated to keep exhaust gas temps high and velocity high.

    After you you do all that, you'll have the badest Rodeo ever.

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    How often do you drive to Vegas anyway?

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    ExplorerTom previously posted:
    "Then go all motor then. Get a big lopey cam, port and polish the heads. Bump the compression. If your intake manifold is aluminum, get that extrude honed. If you don't have a header(s), then get those. If none are available there is Hank's Hotrods in Highlands Ranch and he can build you some- and get that ceramic coated to keep exhaust gas temps high and velocity high.

    After you you do all that, you'll have the badest Rodeo ever."

    I'm not sure if I upset you but for some reason in my head when I read that it sounded like you are mad at something I said. If so I'm sorry. And I don't need to go that far lol. I was just think the comp cams cam I think it's like a 260 grind. And a new exhaust set up. But I don't know how much HP and torque that will give me. But I do want to focus on the engine but nothing too serious like boring anything etc.

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    ExplorerTom previously posted:
    "How often do you drive to Vegas anyway?"

    It really depends on when I can get days off but about every two to three months.

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    ExplorerTom's post may have been part sarcasm, but the bottom line is correct. If you really want to modify your engine, you'll do it anyway.

    Us old codgers giving advice and asking questions that are based on physics and design, may think your desired modifications are short-sighted and inefficient.
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  19. #19
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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    Hypoid previously posted:
    "ExplorerTom's post may have been part sarcasm, but the bottom line is correct. If you really want to modify your engine, you'll do it anyway.

    Us old codgers giving advice and asking questions that are based on physics and design, may think your desired modifications are short-sighted and inefficient."

    Well I need it as a everyday vehicle and until I can change to a different trani or transfer case I need the gearing to stay the same for top speed.

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    Default Re: I need more power! Please help.



    Is the factory tire size 31x10.50x15?
    ___________
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