Hey guys, I know this isn't a GM product, but it is a tbi fed motor, and has a part that is confusing me. I drive my dad's 1990 Dodge D150 (5.2 318 v8) when it snows instead of driving my 91' bird. The truck has always been pretty sluggish down low and seems to pick up a lot when the rpms pick up. Here's where the part confusion got me. One day I was checking the engine out and noticed that the tbi unit said Holley on it. I assume this is possibly one of their 670 or other models? Wouldn't the bigger size tb without any tuning make it run like that (sluggish down low and ok on top)? Can anyone help me out with this one? I posted here instead of looking for a dodge forum because it's tbi and you guys (or the site in general) always seem to have an answer. ANY help would be greatly appreciated.

 

holley tbi's are factory on those engines actually.

 

Well that answers that, lol. Thanks for the reply UnderCover

 

I know nothing about Dodges but here's my opinion:
It sounds like the truck is just out of tune.
I'd look at getting a full tune up, plugs, wires, cap & rotor, pcv, breather, fuel filter, air filter, O2 sensor, check all vacuum lines for cracks, check for stored codes.
Also, clean it all out with Seafoam or equivalent, advance the timing a couple degrees (especially if there's a lot of miles on the timing chain, it could be stretched), increase fuel pressure (I dunno if there's fuel pressure problems on Dodges like there are with early GM TBI vehicles).

 

Well, I'm pretty much in the same as you. This is our first/ only Dodge we've own/ owned. I just drive it because it beats driving my bird in winter, but I hate how it's kinda sluggish unless I give it a lotta gas or romp on it, then she clears her throat and accels great. I'll have to make a list of things to check and go down it. I already bought plugs/ wires/ air filter, but I'll probably get some other things now. Thanks for the reply discostu.


Edit* I was thinking after I typed this, could it be sluggish low just because of it's weight and being underpowered? The 318 in it was only rated at like 165 hp and 245 ft/lbs tq and mated to a 3 speed auto, to me, that sounds like it may cause a problem? I know I still should do the maintenance listed, but this just popped into my head.

 

And not thirdgen related either. I'm surprised, not only that you posted, but that the thread hasn't been locked.

JamesC

 

this board is tbi related, and tbi is what he was asking about.

I don't see why he couldn't ask the question.

 

well we try to help each other, no matter what

depends on the tq curve on that motor, it may not have any guts down low, maybe the cat is getting stoped up, but i doubt it since it does good up high.

how bad is it going out of the hole? is it slugish till a certian RMP or speed or what

 

The torque curve on the 318 should be almost EXACTLY the same as an L03 305 engine. The '90 TBI 318 had 170hp and 260 ft-lbs, what a coincidence, the L03 had the exact same numbers (from slightly smaller displacement, yay Chevy!).
I've heard from several mechanics that the 318 was the best engine Dodge ever came out with, it would go forever with only basic maintenance. This is another reason why I say that a tune up will more then likely surprise you by perking up your truck big time.

There's absolutely no reason that your 318 should bog at all, 200+ ft-lbs available below 2000 rpm should be enough to move your truck AND a 3000 lb trailer with ease. I know this for a fact because I towed a 3000 lb trailer behind my 170hp Chev 305 with no hesitation, bog or anything like that.

 

Well, I'm sorry if you don't care to help. I told everyone I knew it wasn't GM and I know it's not a third gen, but I do own a third gen and most all of what my family owns is GM products. It was by choice anyone would answer, so to those who did help, I thank you and I'll try everything you suggested. I know most of the guys on here are nice and know their s**t pretty well (I was gonna post in an area where no specific topic is discussed, but I thought it might be the tbi and figured I'd get more tbi help in the tbi section ), so I asked here. Next time I'll remember not to post up, sorry.

 

no check engine light? did u ckech the timing? I think its 10 deg. from factory bump it up to 12 and see if that helps. they are pretty sluggish, and dodge engiens are better than chevy engines deffinately. But that is My Opinion so dont harp on me people. IM a hot rodder and I love my camaro but i love my dodge charger a lot more. I own a shop and i worked on one of these dodge trucks the other day and i like them, but do not feel they are that underpowered.

 

Nope, I have never seen the check engine light on since we got it. I would check the timing, but I don't have any tools like that to check it with, plus it's been windy and very cold out lately. I think I'll try and borrow a tool sometime and do a complete tune up too. I don't mind the truck, it runs great on what little maintenance it needs. It has nice power when the pedal is down. It only seems to be when it shifts to second with little gas applied then it seems to accel slow or slower (and needs more pedal to keep acceling like it was), but if you keep up a fair pace the whole time it accels what feels to be normal.

 

If the truck has a timing indicator like our chevy's, all you need is a basic inductive timing light. I have one from Actron that they sell everywhere for like 30 bucks. I use the timing tab, so I dont need options like advance or anything.