Okay we've talked for a long time about the JK stock powerplant. I like mine, others love theirs - some don't. I see we have had a few engine swaps here with some ongoing and others done. But I haven't heard of anyone doing an engine build with the 3.8

So why undertake an engine swap and the expense when having an engine build by a good shop (bored, stroked, balanced and even possibly supercharged) seems a far less expensive way to go.

Input?

 

...I'm no expert on the 3.8, but as far as I figure, it simply is not a strong enough platform capable of taking the rebuild you propose., I don't believe there is enough meat in this block to bore and stroke it
...mind you there are the superchargers which seem popular, I just have a hard time believing that the bottum end will hold up in the long run with all the extra force induction power...engines that are designed for turbos and blowers are...well, in my opinion designed for the increased stress, it is just my .02

 

I've been playing around with the Desktop Dyno regarding the 3.8. The thread is in anything and everything. Seems for whatever reason, the 3.8 responds extremely well to camshaft changes. Even minor ones. I know Crane DID offer a line called "Compu Cams" before they closed their doors this week, so certainly some other company could grind something. My concern would be computer programming....more accurately, the lack thereof. With the HEMI swaps, you don't have that concern, because the HEMI has programming availability. The 3.8 is limited in that area. Since no one makes any bolt on upgrades for the 3.8 at this time...instead of five thousand dollar blowers, you're not likely to see any advancements.

 

It is also my understanding that a 60 degree V-6 just is not the right design for building a hot rod. The 90 degree small blocks are great for building horspower and torque. Chevy had the same problem with the little V-6 they used to put in the S-10 pickup and blazer. Anemic little things that on one could do anything with. That's why they went with the 90 degree 4.3 litre V-6, which was simply a small block chevy V-8 350ci with the last two cylinders sawed off.

I think the 60 degree engine was designed for economy, and to fit in transverse mounted front wheel drive vehicles, where space was the premium, and not performance.

Why this thing did not come with a Hemi option, I will scratch my head over forever. i would not pay the extra $13k (at the time) for the Rubi package, but I would have for the Hemi. Even the small one.

If I could ever afford it, I would do a Hemi swap in a heartbeat. Not because my 3.8l is a bad engine, but because it is just plain COOL!!!

 

Just my .02 worth. give the after market some time we have only had the JK
for 2 model years stuff will come.
I think only a small % people will be willing or able to spend 8000 + for a hemi swap .

 

OKAY

#1 A Jeep is not a Mustang; Want do you want to do with your Jeep? 0 - 60 MPH in 6 seconds?

#2 The most important thing is the gears. With a high ratio, you can climb moutains with big rocks. Very big rocks. You can easily do that with the 3.8

So what's the problem? If you put the hemi engine, it won't be better off-road, but it will be faster on road.

So what do you want, a Jeep or a Mustang ?!?!

 

You're kiddin', right?

I don't honestly think anybody wants to go to the drag strip with their JK, but extra torque from a HEMI couldn't hurt, right?

 

The 3.8 sucks bad when driving through mountains. I don't need to have drag racing ability, but it would be nice if the jeep could go up a long 8-10% grade on the highway without having to downshift to 4th gear and slow to 55mph. Especially when all the other traffic is going 75mph. I don't care about high end power, but it would be really nice to have an engine that developed more torque below 3000 RPM. If they ever offer a diesel version in the US, I will be one of the first in line.

 

You'd only be first in line if you beat me out of the way!

 

I find the 3.8 a little underpowered in the hills but I find downshifting to 4th and then letting cruise control handle it the rest of the way does just fine.. I have 3.21 gears in an unlimited.. sure the revs are up there a little bit in 4th at 65-70 MPH but the 3.8 likes RPM's

I thought about 3.73's but since i dont rock climb or wheel where i need super low ratios. I just downshift to 5th if I have some hills and a heavy headwind... if its flat and not much wind or i have a tailwind I shift to 6th and go...

I can understand the discussion a little because having come from the world of TJ's the 4.0 did its best at below 3500 RPM.. so my mindset was always keep the RPMs down.. and when in that mindset I was very dis-satisfied with the 3.8.. but once I got into the mindset the 3.8 likes revs ive not had any issues.. I dont continuously down and upshift if im on a trip where im in the mountains.. ..

sure I like taking my 500 Horsepower Hotrod in the mountains and kickin everyone;s butt.. however the Jeep is not and never will be a hotrod nor do i want it to be,,

because going mudding or snowstorm chasing in a Monte carlo would just plain suck
same as 0-60 in negative seconds in a Jeep would suck too..
-Christopher