I've been having a real personal issue with the lack of power coming from my 3.8L engine. After speaking with Skatchkins today, I think he hit the nail on the head. I did not have a transition vehicle. I went from a Buick Sommerset V6, to a Mustang, to a Grand Prix with a 3.8 Supercharger. With each car, I stepped up in the horse power. From that... I came to my JK, with a 3.8L 6cylinder, but puts out a tiny 185hp. It's slow off the line, and sucks when climbing even the smallest inclines. I LOVE my JK, but really hate the lack of power.

Please keep in mind that this is an 85% daily driver and 15% offroad/hunting vehicle.

To that, I started researching ways to add some more power without sacrificing too much fuel economy. Previous discussion with Showboat lead to ideas of swapping gears, maybe exhaust, or modchips. Gears may make me faster off the line but I may lose top end speed and it may not help with the laggy power I feel when driving the steep grades when heading up north.

I came across some other options. A bolt on Turbo Kit from STS Turbo, (newly released) Supercharger from Magnuson, and another supercharger from RIPP Modifications. All use some form of intercooler. Of these three, the prices are about the same. Around $5,000.

Either supercharger was a good option. The turbo was immediately tossed out, as it's a remote turbo setup and it sits under the jeep. That would be bad when it's burning HOT and I happen to run into a water crossing or get caught up in our monsoon weather.

Yesterday, I made the decision to go with the Magnuson Supercharger. It's a bolt on system, I don't have to cut my hood to fit it, and it uses the factory air box. It come with a modchip programmer (not sure of the brand right now) and the dyno results were better than I had expected. 41% increase in horsepower and a 33% increase in torque. I had a Magnuson in my Grand Prix and I loved the performance of it.
Well, that was yesterday. Today, I'm rethinking it. I'm turning 42 in 17 days. I'm not the leadfoot I use to be. I may not need to spend $5,000 if I don't need all that power.

All I need is:

1. A bit more response when the street light turns green.
2. No lag when I need to press the gas to pass a vehicle.
3. No power loss when I'm climbing steep grades.
4. Lock my cruise control at 85mph and not have it redline on me.

C'mon experts... let's hear from ya!


Magnuson Supercharger


RIPP Modifications

For a grand more just get a hemi. Thats the route Im taking

5.7l v8 390hp

or

6.4l v8 450hp

http://www.aev-conversions.com/shop/shop-by-category/powertrain/jk-hemi-kit.html

A hemi is about $3000 more. I looked into this, too. There is a lot of other things you need to buy to get this hemi installed. Plus, this is something i can't do myself so there is the labor to factor in.

What is your approach to the install of your hemi?

Correction: It's not $3000 more. It's about $6000 more. From what I read from others who have done it, you really need to budget $15K-$20K to have it done right by an installer. You can knock off $5K-$9K if you install it yourself. This is based off of the AEV setup.


JeepsSpeedShop.com in California has a kit for $5K. For $10K, they include a 5.7L HEMI and a trans. Or, get it turnkey for $15K. Their shop is north of San Francisco.

All I need is:

1. A bit more response when the street light turns green. In my experience, a K&N intake helps this out quite a bit, also a power programer also does wonders. Also, with a programer you will/should have the option of tuning your jeep to performance, towing, or better mpg.. change shift points, etc. I had a hypertech for my last truck and it was awesome. Or, you can buy a supercharger.
2. No lag when I need to press the gas to pass a vehicle. See above post.
3. No power loss when I'm climbing steep grades. Buy a diesel. Seriously though, you're gonna have power loss even with a supercharger.. obviously, it won't be as much but it'll be there.
4. Lock my cruise control at 85mph and not have it redline on me. Buy a supercharger.


I don't think you'd be happy with gearing your jeep based on your number 4 need. Gearing will help you off the line, passing people, and even going up hills.. but you will lose your top end speed. There may be other options out there, I am by no means an expert on gears.

Sell the jeep, and buy a new one over seas with a diesel in it.

Start with a programmer. There cheaper and do help out its something you can install in min

Last week I got to ride in my former boss's JK with the Hemi conversion. It is awesome, he had a local shop do it, but I don't know the cost. It covers everything you mentioned and sounds awesome too.

He's a member on here, but I don't think he's on very often, arizona98TJ or something like that. He may come to Moab this year with us.

If you're not looking to sink a ton of money on, I'm with Showboat. Try a programmer first.

I was going to do the install myself

offroadaz wrote:I was going to do the install myself

I didn't know that you were so mechanically inclined. I have an ASE certified buddy and will pay him with beer and pretzels for his assistance. :D

Still, you're looking at $10k+ for the Hemi. Twice the price of the supercharger.

Look up the xtreme 4x4 video that compared the hemi and super/blower(one or the other cant remember) the numbers were close but the cost was more for the super charger

I could not find it. :(

2ndchance wrote:I didn't know that you were so mechanically inclined.

lol I'm not but figured the best way to learn is to jump right in and do it

offroadaz wrote:lol I'm not but figured the best way to learn is to jump right in and do it

I'm busy that weekend

Skatchkins wrote:I'm busy that weekend

Ha ha ha.

Skatchkins wrote:I'm busy that weekend

I'll take pictures. ;-)

James, I was at a friends today and his neighbor had his JK there to get the rear brakes done. The neighbor did the superchip for it and really felt a difference. Keep in mind he has a mangnaflow exhaust and cold air intake. He said it felt like a dog before the chip but it has good power.