I was off roading and, long story short, I got a lot of water in my engine which wouldn't start. My dad and I towed it to a nearby shop to have them look at it and basicly they said im screwed and need a new engine. Now, I am not in the mood to get another 3.8 v6 and all of my off roading buddies said get a hemi. So do I get a hemi or just replace my 3.8? If I were to get a hemi is it something I can do myself with a few friends? How much would it cost/what would I need to buy? And if I were to just replace the 3.8, how much would that cost? I have a 2010 4-door JK mountain package with an auto tranny and a 3.73 axle ratio.

Thanks in advance,
Szatkowski

 

I'm no expert on Hemi swaps, but there are a few threads here on the subject. It seems like you'll be looking at 15-20 grand to have one professionally installed. If you do it yourself, it may run you less than $10k. The install kit alone starts around 5 grand, then you need to find yourself a decent engine. If you've got the cash and the know-how, I say go for it. If not, then get another 3.8 and put a supercharger kit on it for a couple thousand dollars.

P.S.......GET A SNORKEL!!!!!!!

 

Does anyone know the cost to just replace the 3.8? Is the hemi swap hard to do? Also how how good is the mileage on the 5.7 VVT? Sorry about all the questions, I just need to know these things before I make a decision.

 

You could have 10k wrapped up in a hemi swap, thats doing it yourself. Depends on how good a deal you can get on an engine and tranny.

The kits make it a relatively easy swap if you have a good set of tools and someone who can weld in the motor mounts.

If your worried about gas mileage though, you probably will not get better than the 3.8. Especially if you enjoy the added power too much.

I have not seen anyone post 5.7 VVT mileage. I average 12 to 16 MPG on my 6.1, depending on if highway, stop and go, or trail, and how much I get into the skinny pedal. Keep in mind thats a 2 door on stock tires with 4.10 gearing, and living on flat land. And thats burning premium. I actually consider that pretty good mileage for the setup. A VVT should get better, and I don't think you need to burn premium.

You will also end up with a CAI if you swap, which means taking even more care than stock around water.

Personally, I have never regreted the swap, getting near 2 years and I still enjoy the hell out of it.

But if your time and budget constrained, just stick a low mileage 3.8 back in there, it will be faster to install and a lot cheaper.

 

4bt cummins diesel swap.

 

If it hydro'd you will probably know if it threw a rod because there will likely be hole in the side of the block that shouldn't be there with a big piece of metal sticking through it. Just sayin'...

 

a hemi swap like everyone else said will prolly cost you 10k IF you do it yourself, plus all the other miscellaneous stuff youll end up needing to buy, thats pretty much half the price of your jeep probably, IMO spend a grand on a new 3.8 and be done with it, BUT if you got the money then slap in a hemi and smoke some hummers

 

Yeah a hole in the side of the oil pan might be a dead give-away too...especially if it had water or oil/water leaking out of the side.
That pic looks like it was the bad ending to an otherwise fun day...

 

One word to describe that pic....
OOPS

 

If you dont want to all the work and cost of a hemi swap but still want some more power you could always throw in a used 3.8 and use what you save to add a ripp supercharger.

personally i think the supercharger is better bang for the buck than a hemi

just my .2


....oh and welcome to the forum!