BlackMangler

I know a HEMI would be great, but why not swap in a 4.7L V8 (powertech)? There should be plenty more of these available with them being around in WJ's for 10 years now.

A run of the mill 4.7L V8 specs at 235hp and 295lb-ft torque, or maybe the H.O. option which specs at 265hp and 325lb-ft torque.

It might not be that much more horsepower than the 3.8L (+25hp), but the torque gains are significant (+45lb-ft).

Anyone ever think about doing this? Pros/cons?

Atl JK

Because it doesn't fit as well in the engine bay. I'd rather have a 4.7l than the 5.7l as well...

It would be a big increase in power btw. My '04 4.7l WJ was very quick for a SUV. It was actually kind of fun to drive. Especially, at stop light in the rain playing with the AWD.

thissideup

My thoughts as well....waiting to see what this thread brings

ccdjeep

It won't bring up much this is an old discussion. I've asked the same question several times. The Hemi hornied people are just in love with the monster. I like a plain simple small V8. But there is just no aftermarket support for the 4.7L Only the Hemi....

Littlejon

Pretty much the aftermarket support isn't there for the 4.7. I liked the one in my WJ, but it doesn't fit as well in the engine bay as the Hemi (I think it had something to do with the shape of the oil pan) and also the wiring harness has to be hand made by the installer. The Hemi has so much aftermarket support that there really isn't any custom fabrication or wiring needed.

JackMac4

Have you ever put them to the test? I have a WK with a 5.7l and my inlaws down the street (I know, its bad) have an XK with the 4.8. I drive them both regularly and on some occasions back to back when shuttling or errands or whatnot. The 4.8 sounds great and does have some nice power, but my WK with the HEMI blows it out of the water. Pound for pound the HEMI is better, no question.

Before you shrug off everyone as fanboys, you might want to take a test drive and add some weight to your arguement.

jasruby

I would agree. I had a Durango with the 4.7L and a Ram with the 5.7 Hemi. The 4.7 ran awesome, and I would LOVE to have it as a factory option on the JK.

But...if you're going to go to all the trouble of replacing the 3.8, GO BIG!!!!

Atl JK

The 4.7l is so smooth and it sounds amazing with a CAI. Better than the 5.7l IMO. Plus, the gearing in the 545RFE with 3.73 gears is perfect for it.

My WJ got great gas mileage too. It consistently got 22 MPG on the hwy with the A/C on and the cruise set at 80. I realize that it wouldn't do as well in the Rubicon given the extra weight, 32s, and worse aerodynamics but it couldn't do any worse than my JK does on the hwy. My freakin 5400 lb Silverado got better hwy gas mileage than my JK does. Plus, with 3.73s it wouldn't be turning as high of RPM at hwy speeds.

x No Compromise Offroad x

I think it would have been smart to offer the 4.7L from the factory, but as a modification there is just not much of a market for it seeing as it only runs $1-2000 less than the 5.7 L swap (professionally done)...there is also the nice fact that when you get a 5.7L, let's say you get bored with it ( not seeing how) there is plenty of aftermarket support so you can put the 6.1 L insides in it and see 400-500 hp ...I may have a bias opinion but I haven't come across any 4.7 L that sound as good as my 5.7 L Hemi ...she's pretty smooth too

Littlejon

Actually when the JK first came out and Dan at Burnsville Offroad was doing most of his own wiring harnesses the 4.7 swap he was doing was about $6,000 more than the 5.7 Hemi swap (I think it was the same price as a 6.1 Hemi swap).