The Magnum 3.9L engine was produced and designed by Chrysler and released under the Dodge brand. It was produced from 1992 through 2004 and was offered in the Dodge Dakota, Dodge Ram and Dodge Ram Van. The Magnum 3.9L is a V6 engine that produces 180 horsepower and 220 ft.-lbs. of torque. Regardless of the model or year, all vehicles equipped with the Magnum 3.9L engine can be made more powerful via aftermarket modifications.
Replace the stock Magnum cold-air intake with a performance aftermarket cold-air intake. These air intake systems typically provide a power boost of about 8 to 15 horsepower, depending on brand and model. They generally cost between $100 and $200 and are relatively easy to install compared with other performance aftermarket upgrades. Because of their relatively low price and general ease of installation, performance aftermarket cold-air intake systems are a popular upgrade for many types of vehicles. They have few drawbacks other than possibly resulting in a slight increase in engine noise.
Upgrade the stock Magnum exhaust system with a performance aftermarket exhaust system. Performance aftermarket exhaust systems typically provide a power boost of about 10 to 25 horsepower, again depending on brand and model. They generally cost between $300 and $600, but are difficult to install at home because they require access to the underside of the vehicle. Performance aftermarket exhaust systems also increase engine noise, sometimes quite drastically, depending on brand and model. They can also increase CO2 emissions, which may result in the vehicle losing street-legal status depending on your state's regulations.
Install a performance chip for the Magnum 3.9L engine. Performance chips modify the engine's on-board computer for maximum performance, resulting in a boost of roughly 10 to 40 horsepower. Performance chips are relatively easy to install but fairly pricey at about $400 to $1,000. Performance chips can also decrease fuel efficiency and overall engine longevity by modifying engine performance.
