I'll be the first to admit that I don't know very much about automotives in general, much less Jeeps. But I'm out here trying to learn as much as possible and eventually get my own jeep to work on. So during my "studying," I've come up with a few questions for you all so far. This batch is mostly regarding engines.

The current JK's are said to be very compatible with a pretty much drop in Hemi engine replacement. There are a ton of places that do these conversions, but they are all at an insane price! I'm talking nearly as much as the jeep originally cost! So if the JK is so compatible for a Hemi engine and you can pick up a 5.7 litre Hemi for around the $5k area, why is the conversion so highly priced? Obviously I must be missing something here. Aside from the 5.7 versus the 6.4 litre engines, are there special different types of Hemi engines? Is there a particular kind that is required that would prevent you from just picking up one of those cheaper $5k Hemi's?

Obviously there must be something much more involved to this conversion. I imagine it would probably involve swapping out the transmission, cooling, etc. So what exactly is involved in a converting a jeep wrangler over to a nice ballsy Hemi engine?

Now in my searching, I've wondered if I should hold off until the new 2011 comes out later this year. It is pretty much confirmed to be getting the new Pentastar engine. However from what I can tell, these new pentastar engines don't seem to offer too much benefit over the current 3.7's. At least not too much in the form of power for daily driving (my jeep will mostly be a DD, but with ever increasing offroading). I have yet to see any data on what sort of fuel efficiency they are expected to have inside of the new Wrangler Unlimiteds. So what reason is there to hold off for 2011 model? I imagine they'll also be changing the JK to a different designator as well.

Now that they're pushing out a new engine, how does that affect the ability to get the Hemi conversion done once you're able to take on the second car payment ? Will the pentastar require any modifications in production that would prevent you from getting a drop in Hemi replacement? I'm not sure how much of the internals would be changing under the new engine selection.

Thanks for the time and help!

S/F

 

Generally you don't just need an engine but you also need a transmission and the rest of the drivetrain replaced to have a robust and reliable hemi swap. So say you get a wrecked dodge ram or something of the like with all compatible engine, trans, ect. that will put up with the additional power. That will set you back probably around 10K. Then the accessories like new engine and transmission mounts, radiator, A/C adapters, ect set you back about an extra 5K (see hemi swap kits from quadratec). Then add about 2K for labor to do the installation. All of this turns out to be in the typical $15K - $17K range which is fairly typical for a turn-key hemi install done for you from what I have read.

 

Just watched a video about a fella in Cali that did the HEMI upgrade.

Anyhow, it sounded like the only special change he had to make was a custom hood to reduce the heat. Oh yeah, that an many thousands of dollars. But hey talk about a custom Jeep that will have increase resale value!!!

 

Unless you want a slightly nicer interior there is no need to wait for 2011. The Pentastar 3.6l debuts on the 2011 Grand Cherokee only and I'd wager it will be another year or two before we see a Wrangler with it.

 

The $20K priced tag includes new engine, new tranny, custom components and other OEM parts, ECU programming, labor, etc ...

Not sure if priced includes a new Transfer Case or if old one is re-used. I assume new Driveshafts are included as well but not sure ...

You can by the Kit sans Engine and Tranny for $5K .... If I could find a 5.7 Hemi and cheap 6-speed manual tranny for the swap I'd love to do it ....

 

Ok, I can see where the price tag can add up pretty quick there.

EchoFoxtrot: I thought the 2011 Wrangler model was supposed to have the pentastar as well?

Will the new Wrangler swapping over to the pentastar cause any problems for doing the conversion? With as much as is being changed during the conversion, it doesn't seem like it should.

 

I can certainly see where the money for the change over is going, but what i can't understand is why any one would want a hemi ! If you want a sports car buy a sports car, a jeep is a jeep and all they need is a good diesel with lots of low end snort.

 

I saw a recent posting somewhere that says 2012 for the 3.6. The source has been fairly reliable. In any event I would not say that 2011 "is pretty much confirmed." Unless of course you believe in internet rumor as confirmation.

 

i just bought a 2010 unlimited and i really dont have any complaints about the motor but it does seem to lag on long grades.

 

come on guys its a minivane engine
i do have aproblem to move a big ass in desert always i go for low gear and i hate it