Tuning the 3.6L engine

[Kenneth A]

Hello all. Just purchased a 2012 Dodge Journey SXT with the 3.6L engine in it. Here is my question. The Dodge Charger with the same engine is rated at 293 hp vs the Journey at 283. Could Dodge retune the engine without any other modifications to get the extra 10 hp on the Journey's engine, and does anyone think a dealership would?

[bigtsr]

No - added horsepower is from intake differences and propriety software

set to different models that use the Pentastar , the Challenger version

produces 305 hp.

[jkeaton]

You could do that, however, remember, the engine is tuned for a certain air flow into the engine, just by increasing said airflow into the engine will not make a noticable difference as the computer will compensate. You need to make air intake PLUS intake manifold PLUS exhaust modifications to get more air in/more air out, then a custom tune on top of that. Cold air intakes on new cars really don't do much but make a lot of sound.

[2013R/T]

Agreed^^^^

[Sparkyssxt]

Ugh. I keep seeing you guys say this about cold air intakes... Cold air is compensated for with more fuel. The ONLY compensation the computer does for colder air is to add fuel to keep the mixture stoic. It's why the trucks seem pepper when it's cold our and slightly sluggish when it's hot out. Valve timing doesn't change on VVT style heads either. It WILL make more power. Granted it is less than you would make by also improving the intake manifold. If u leave the exhaust alone you'll get some extra torque (higher relative back pressure) open the exhaust and you also raise the horses(but lower torque compared to not touching the exhaust)

Cold air intakes don't seem to do anything for us because (although restrictive) the factory intake IS a cold air intake. Better piping and a wider snorkel run to and from and through the exact same places WILL however increase throttle response as well as horsepower.

[Lobitz68]

Back pressure does not exist... Exhaust improvements create improved velocity of the exhaust gases which is what creates the additional horsepower. There is a pressure differential within a vehicle's exhaust system, but no "back pressure."

As far as CAI's go, I agree with you completely in that the vehicle already has a CAI. If you remove the stock system and put a short ram (let's be honest, that is what most people use) intake in you will without a doubt see losses as the warm air will not be as dense and therefore you can not get as much air into the engine. The stock system is a nice compromise in that it is a CAI and is quiet. If one wanted to gain a couple horsepower and a little torque (likely unnoticeable without further modification of the intake and exhaust) they would be better off adding smoother tubing to the factory box.

It's not that the the engine and computer will compensate for the CAI, it is that they are already tuned quite well and in order to realize any gains you are going to have to put in a LOT of work. Much more than a CAI or an exhaust.