RPM's "Fresh Air By Meldrum"

For 1997+ Dodge Dakota 3.9L and 5.2L Magnum engines, 1998+ Dodge Durango, & the Dakota R/T.
(will fit older model Dakotas and may fit 93+ Dodge Rams but you must verify clearances prior to installation)


RPM p/n rpm-100 -- 10
(Click all images on page for full size version)

To see a picture of the F.A.B.M. modification on my truck
click here.


Thanks to:

Sean Meldrum
For this modification idea (I'm currently using it on my truck) and this web page that I've "taken over" since he is no longer maintaining a Dakota Web Site

and

Stephan Boianoff
For the installation pictures


This assembly does not provide adequate airflow for all out racing requirements of the 5.2L or for the 5.9L R/T. What it does provide is a great performance improvement for anything but constant redline rpms and it's a simple drop in. No fit problems and no hassles. Yes, a 14" will fit but it's a tight squeeze. The above mentioned 14" assembly will address the addtional air requirements for racin'.




The stock air intake system isn't all bad. It does an effcient job of catching cooler, outside air and quieting the rushing intake charge. Performance wise, however, the stock system's small inlet tubing, multiple bends, kinks, and cross-sectional changes, hinder incoming air flow. We all know to make horsepower you need adequate air flow.

There is an inexpensive alternative that will not only increase performance, but add a bit of flash to your engine compartment and provide an enhanced performance sound on acceleration.




The system consists of:

(1) 10" diameter chrome air cleaner

(1) K&N 10" diameter filter - recommendations based on Edelbrock 1208 can

Modification of stock breather tube/hose assembly or a short length of 19/32" emissions hose or close equivalent.

Modification of stock throttle body
air hat hold-down bracket assembly or custom S-bolt (recommended by RPM).

Installation:
(The weak at heart can skip the air box & inlet tube removal steps but this creates a perfect area for a CD ignition)

 
Step 1

 
  Here's where we begin. Start by removing throttle body air hat & inlet tube and breather tube/hose assembly. Remove the filter box-to-air hat hose and place all pieces to the side.
 
Step 2

 
Cut the plastic rivet on the inlet air "horn" that holds it to the inner fender and disconnect piece from air box.  
 
Step 3

 
  Remove stock filter from air box. Remove mounting nuts from inside of air box. Two of the nuts on the bottom of the air box are alignment studs and really aren't removable. You just pull the air box from engine compartment.
 
Step 4

 
Remove air hat hold-down bracket from throttle body. You must either 1) eplace front bolt with 1-1/2" 1/4-20 thumbscrew, placing locknut on underside of bracket to act as a spacer, or 2) replace rear bolt with carriage bolt of adequate length, or 3) replace entire assembly with an S-bolt  
 
Step 5

 
  Install air cleaner/K&N assembly & modified hold-down bracket. Measure emissions hose for desired routing, cut to length, and install between breather and air cleaner (air cleaner has breather hose adapter on bottom surface). DO NOT leave the breather disconnected. The breather is an integral part of the engine's design. If you do not wish to have the breather attached to the can you must replace the stock breather with an aftermarket filtered breather.
 
Step 6

 
Make sure everything is snug and take the truck for a spin around the block. For '96 and newer trucks, the OBDII operating system is extremely quick to adapt to improvements to the performance of the engine. Unlike pre-OBD II systems, which took a day or two to adapt to performance modifications, OBD II will give noticable improvements almost immediately.  



This upgrade will give increased performance, improved fuel economy (if you can stay off the loud pedal long enough), and a fantastic engine roar on acceleration that's reminiscent of the secondaries opening on a Holley 4V carb. Enjoy.

Points of interest:

 
The empty space left by the removal of the filter box is perfect for an Capacitive Discharge ignition box or even a small nitrous bottle!   An option if you decide to leave the filter box in place could be to route a discharge hose in close proximity to the FABM. This would help duct colder air to the can. Just remember to leave the stock filter out of the box. You might even route some dryer vent hose from the inlet of the box to the outlet (within the box itself).  

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©1998
Updated 10/13/98