Penastar Engine Swap
02-08-2012, 04:44 PM
#1
JK Freak
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The new Penastar engine is out for the 2012 JK !!!
So has anyone swapped out their old tired 3.8L with one of these nearly 300HP engines??
Would the computer need to be changed for the engine swap ? or could a person just order one of these Penastar engines and slap it in an 07-11 JK as a direct replacement?
REVISED.....
Reading the posts from other members plus links to dyno testing I have concluded the only reasonable engine swap is a Hemi swap... Anything else is just a waste of time and money.... The Penastar engine is nothing special as dyno testing has said. To me Chrysler has lied to its customers about this engines fuel economy and power.
Thank You to all memebers who have responded with feedback to this post
So has anyone swapped out their old tired 3.8L with one of these nearly 300HP engines??
Would the computer need to be changed for the engine swap ? or could a person just order one of these Penastar engines and slap it in an 07-11 JK as a direct replacement?
REVISED.....
Reading the posts from other members plus links to dyno testing I have concluded the only reasonable engine swap is a Hemi swap... Anything else is just a waste of time and money.... The Penastar engine is nothing special as dyno testing has said. To me Chrysler has lied to its customers about this engines fuel economy and power.
Thank You to all memebers who have responded with feedback to this post
Last edited by Jeep Hound; 02-19-2012 at 06:26 AM.
02-08-2012, 04:47 PM
#3
JK Freak
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Lots of changes. Probably cheaper to trade in an buy a 2012. ECU would be different, motor mounts, exhaust and too many other small nuances to make it worthwhile in my book
02-08-2012, 04:53 PM
#5
JK Enthusiast
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they just replaced the short block in my '10 and i asked if they could just swap for the penni and the service manager at the dealership told me i should just buy a new jeep if that's what i wanted... needless to say i just stuck with my 3.8l
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02-09-2012, 06:53 AM
#8
JK Enthusiast
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Its been addressed quite a few times on the forum because people have asked about doing the chevy V-6 swap or swapping in the old 4.0 I6, but cost wise with everything involved your better off just spending the money to do a Hemi, Chevy LS V8 or the 4bt diesel swap and get more power and torque or in the case of the diesel more torque.
02-09-2012, 06:55 AM
#9
JK Enthusiast
Also Hemi/LS/4BT swaps have been done many times before so there are ready made kits and knowledge if you get stuck. To my knowledge no on has ever put a 3.6L in, so every single part would have to be custom and everything figured out yourself. Alot of money and alot of work for very little gain.