3.8L Engine Mods
#1
3.8L Engine Mods
Hey Everyone, My first Post. Just ordered a 4 door jeep green Rubi with khaki interior, and all the bells & whistles. This is my 5th jeep (cant live with out them :-) had 3 CJ-7's and a YJ before.
Can someone help me out here. My jeep is getting the 4" right away and some 35's. What is with the engine though? Is jeep going to put a HEMI in it soon? I know i'll be kicking myselft if they put one out next year for not waiting.
So this puny torquless 3.8 also has another draw back, high compression. With that sort of a high compression will a supercharger or turbo(s) be out of the question? If it is not an option, then who will be making Mini-van engine mods for this jeep and what will they be?
I know i sound like i'm ranting a bit, but i am so in love with this new JK 4door! I just want to make sure that i will be able to make some muscle with it oneday.
Cheers!
Rob
Can someone help me out here. My jeep is getting the 4" right away and some 35's. What is with the engine though? Is jeep going to put a HEMI in it soon? I know i'll be kicking myselft if they put one out next year for not waiting.
So this puny torquless 3.8 also has another draw back, high compression. With that sort of a high compression will a supercharger or turbo(s) be out of the question? If it is not an option, then who will be making Mini-van engine mods for this jeep and what will they be?
I know i sound like i'm ranting a bit, but i am so in love with this new JK 4door! I just want to make sure that i will be able to make some muscle with it oneday.
Cheers!
Rob
#2
JK Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Noblesville, Indiana
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you dislike the engine so much, why didn't you wait a year or so?
Anyway, rumor has it that Avenger is developing a supercharger for the JK. They make good stuff, so if you're that unpleased with the factory 3.8L, you can give that a shot.
Anyway, rumor has it that Avenger is developing a supercharger for the JK. They make good stuff, so if you're that unpleased with the factory 3.8L, you can give that a shot.
#3
Its not that i dislike the engine so much, i guess i am a bit afraid of the change. The strait 6 has been around for so long and in 4 of my previous jeeps and i know what it is capable of. On the other hand, the 3.8L has only been used un minivans, never in an offroad application. Oh well, i guess i'll just have to wait and see.
And there was no way i could wait another year for my JK!
And there was no way i could wait another year for my JK!
#4
JK Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Noblesville, Indiana
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I totally understand, the inline six is a quality engine.
Still, everything I read though says the 3.8L does well on the roads, and is just dandy for the trails. Wheel it, drive it, and see what you think. Then, if you still want a supercharger, you can get it at that point.
Still, everything I read though says the 3.8L does well on the roads, and is just dandy for the trails. Wheel it, drive it, and see what you think. Then, if you still want a supercharger, you can get it at that point.
#5
JK Newbie
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Eagle, ID
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
3.8..uggh. According to a Jeep guy, Jeep can't put a V-8 in um because of legal paperwork. There is coversions for 5.7 and 6.1 Hemis. I know a guy who has the RIPP supercharger in an 08. Sounds cool, little bit quicker off the line, worse gas milage(goes back to quicker off the line I suspect) and got about 75 hp from it. The $$ invested at this point, he says should have gone w/ the HEMI.
#7
JK Enthusiast
I've been around the Straight 6 most of my life and frankly never cared for it much. Fuel injection was a big help though. That aside, yes the 3.8 lacks low end torque but in every other way is the better engine IMO. The torque is still there, just at higher RPM in 2HI. Once in 4L0 and I maybe even 4HI the computer programing changes and its not even an issue. 4lo and the brake almost fully depressed and it's still pulling.
As far as mods go, there are plenty to choose from, superchargers, CAI, chips, programers, etc.
If you have the money it sounds like the superchargers are getting the best result. Second choice would probably be a good programer but with that all the lesser mods simply add to improve the system as a whole, from exhaust to sparkplugs to synthetic oil.
Finally if money is little concern, do an engine swap for a Hemi. Plenty of those getting done as well.
As far as mods go, there are plenty to choose from, superchargers, CAI, chips, programers, etc.
If you have the money it sounds like the superchargers are getting the best result. Second choice would probably be a good programer but with that all the lesser mods simply add to improve the system as a whole, from exhaust to sparkplugs to synthetic oil.
Finally if money is little concern, do an engine swap for a Hemi. Plenty of those getting done as well.
Last edited by ibjeepr; 08-02-2009 at 08:33 AM.
Trending Topics
#9
JK Enthusiast