Ario56

where's the fun in that?

JK-Tex

If people like us didn't complain, people like you wouldn't have anyone to roll their eyes at.

Elickzer

Not complaining just doing research.

goaterguy

For some reason I find the 3.8L acceptable and I'm happy with it. I like driving at 45mph at around 1k rpm in 6th, not overstressing anything.

I don't really see the need for a big honking racing V8 in the Jeep, and you can bet your kids that Chrysler won't put any in them. CARB, the EPA and the guvmin't (who owns part of the company) are all about fuel savings. We will see a turbocharged I4 before a V8.

If Hyundai can build a turbo I4 with 274hp and over 30 mpg why anybody else can't?

I would like for the Wrangler to shed some weight tho.

Firefighters_Axe

I dont think he's talking about racing (speed). I think he is talking about torque. That 3.6 does have alot of hp, but the torque seams pretty low.

Firefighters_Axe

lololol,

Yankee

I agree that there is no need for a "racing V-8" in a Wrangler (well, except for the fun factor).

I do not believe that a V-6 or I-4, turboed or not, in the rolling 2 ton brick wall a Wrangler is, will get much better gas milage than a 300 HP V-8 if it was cammed for low end torque and run with a decent 5 or 6 speed auto (or 6 speed manual) tranny and correct axle gear ratio.

And besides gearing, if you want lots of torque down at low RPM in a gas engine, IMO there is no replacement for displacement.

There are probably other CARB, CAFE and crash protection reasons Chrysler does not put a V-8 in, but I do not think mileage differences of a V-8 versus a 6, at least on just the Wrangler model is the reason.

Some of the guys who installed 340 hp 5.7 hemis are reporting comparable or better mpg than their 3.8 had if driven reasonably.

Now, if they would give us the diesel option......

JK-Tex

FWIW, my Xterra, despite having very nice numbers and great power, gets significantly worse MPG than my JK did. Same driver. Same conditions. Same gas. Even though it's not working very hard, that big V6 sure does slurp down the fuel.

I think the 3.8L is an okay engine that works fine everywhere below 70 mph. Jeep could make it more freeway friendly by improving the aerodynamics, but that opens a whole different can of worms. There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Elickzer

Low end torque is what I am talking about it. New engines are high revving fun. Great if you are in that sort of thing. I like the 3.8 its not a bad engine. The new 3.6 seems nice but the numbers come at a cost. For mall crawling its great but for off road, I just do not know. If I where buying my wife one sure thing but for me. I like to play with mine. I miss the low end grunt of the I-6 but love the fuel economy of the 3.8. I think the Ripp supercharged 3.8 will help me get both. Mix that with a jk ruby unlimited on 37's rolling with 5.13s I think I will be a happy camper. I wonder if there is any data out there on that.

How about WoL, Eddie is the supercharger in your future?

goaterguy

I completely agree with you, my GTO with a 6.0L V8 and 400 hp / 400 lbs/ft gives 18-20 mpg city (if driven conservatively... HARD TO DO!)

But like the saying "a person is smart, people are stupid", the perceived economy of a 4 cyl will always be better than a V6 or V8 and people will not accept anything different.