I agree completely

From what I've read it is not uncommon for the 3.8 to call it quits with under 100K miles on it. (even naturally aspirated)
If you have the money, the mechanical skills, and time, the LS or Hemi conversion is definitely the best option, if you don't have the money or the mechanical skills, the supercharger is a good choice.

I am leaning towards the supercharger... I've only got 50,000 miles on my Jeep so hopefully it will hold up for some time. If not, I guess I will be doing an LS conversion as well. (hopefully by then the supercharger will be paid off)

 

The numbers your quoting here are Manufacturers rated numbers and in no way represent what actually makes it to the floor. The additional Intake and cam are additional costs and labor on the build. The number that counts is the number that is available at the ground. Our 3.6L has an at crank rating of 480HP. 1 mod, one days work. Everything working in your jeep as "stock". The Drivetrain and rotating mass loss on a JK with 37" tires is more than 33% of at rated engine power. These are the KNOWN losses, not just as we say.

The standard "LS" swap kit complete is +/- $5k. Add engine, trans, other "miscellaneous" that will be required to make the engine work in the specific Jeep and not to mention time/labor. We are no where near the "everything in the box" 3.8L 6hour and 3.6 8hour install.

Yes... For LS1 LS2 LS3 LS7 LS9 LSX... The LS family of blocks are all built to different tolerances, with different materials, different compressions, even different head designs. To say they all can make 500HP all day long is just not true. We completely understand where you are coming from, but it is just going to end up complicating, an already complicated mod, even more.

You are 100% right. We know the 3.8L cannot make much more than 300 WHEEL HP reliably, which is why we are in no way try. The at engine rating of our 3.8L SC is 365HP. Which I should point out is more at engine rating than the aforementioned 5.3 "LS" motors mentioned.

This is unfortunately the case with most people that try to do the LS swap on the cheap. It really is a big project and should be left to a professional.

Unfortunatly, a dyno is the only way to see the gains.

Again, a very involved mod, and when it comes porting, be careful not to take too much off.

To recap, our numbers aren't "skewed", transparency in advertising is a cornerstone of our marketing strategy. To be completely clear. If you put a "430 HP" LS3 out of a 2013 Corvette into a JK with 37" tires, you should expect 300-315 WHP.


Please do not take any of my responses as an attack, but rather as a clarification.
If time and money are not of concern, ANY V8 sounds great!
The LS series of Gen III and Gen IV GM small blocks are arguably the BEST not just V8's but engines in the WORLD!

If you want a genuine opinion of what to do short of a supercharger or engine swap. Here would be our list.

1. REGEAR REGEAR REGEAR!!
2. Diablosport tuner. It can grow, and optimize, the mods you add.
3. Intake
4. Exhaust
5. Headers (3.8L) prepare for the product plug! Our RIPP Long Tube Headers have been designed and optimized to make "large" inceases in both power and Torque as well as increase low end torque by 40 WTQ at low RPM!!



Some Good INDEPENDENT video viewing.

6.4L SRT8 HEMI in a JK. Rated at "470 HP"... 332 WHP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AbhYgg3D3s CUSTOM 6.4L 392CI BORED AND STROKED TO 426CI .. 329 WHP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoN1doe6xas .


RIPP SUPERCHARGED 3.8 233 WHP 288WTQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOG0_8VtMa4 RIPP SUPERCHARGED 3.6L Pentastar 330 WHP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcjX9dQv4t8

 

The other thing to remember is that many of us live in states (yea the left state) that will not allow cross manufacturer swaps. The ls is a great engine but doesn't matter because we can't get it smog'ed

For the money it is hard to beat the bang for the buck of a supercharger.

43k miles on it and no problems.

Mike

 

You can put an LS in a Jeep in California.

 

Not according to the dmv

 

JSS is doing LS swaps in California. Think I read a thread saying they will help with passing the smog check if you have problems. Post 15 has the costs.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/spon...s-swap-295351/


A shiny new LS would be great, but a ripp makes more sense for me. Saving the pennies...

 

I don’t take offence to what you post… I just want the fact to be posted that’s all… And again as I stated before, I am still leaning towards “The Ripp Way.” (Feel free to use that in a commercial)

The $5K is WITH the engine and everything from this place.
Complete Jeep V8 Swap Packages | Novak Conversions.
You just have to have the know-how and the ability to do the work yourself. If you have it done somewhere else it will cost you much more, but can’t you say that about Ripp? $5K for the parts that you have to add yourself… Yes much less work, BUT… What do you charge to do the work in your shop, if someone doesn’t have the mechanical skills or the tools to do it themselves?

As far as your numbers claiming rear wheel HP vs at engine HP. This next video is by Ripp which show 317 HP and about 280 Ft Lbs. at the “Rear Wheels,” on a 3.6 engine (which is great don’t get me wrong.) From what I’ve seen Dyno numbers are all over the place, due to any sort of things from even the people not knowing what they are doing, to weather, or even tire pressure. Not sure why there is such a big jump in horse power coming from the same place. (could be the tune, a broken in motor, or even a colder day)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOFwGsFDRlM The Hemi conversion is claiming with the stock Hemi installed they are getting 332 HP and 330 FT LBS. At the rear wheels.
With the LS??? Yes it differs from which engine you get, but most places are claiming about the same as the Hemi. You also have to look at the torque differences. The V8 conversion is obviously going to beat the 3.8 V6 supercharged conversion in torque, by almost 100 ft. lbs. Which is huge in off-roading, and in fuel mileage.

About you accusations on the 2013 Corvette motor? You are way off… Try 402 rear wheel horse power.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxWdeFG_WoE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N9R8hx2C_4 As I’ve said before, and I will say it again in a different way, the good thing about a LS conversion is the possibilities you have with the engine. (same with the Hemi) They are easy to modify and they except modifications VERY well. You can take the 5.3 LS motor add a cam and a tune to it and get 100 more horse power out of it, plus you are not scratching the surface of it’s potential.

The 3.8 and the 3.6 you only have a few things you can do with them and supercharging is by far the best way to get power out of them.
My only question with that is… The 3.8 isn’t known for its longevity naturally aspirated. How long will it last with forced induction? That’s the big concern I have.

On porting your inateke and heads? It’s not really all that hard, but yes it can be tricky if you get greedy or too aggressive, but for $30 in gaskets and an afternoon, you might free up a few extra horses. Just don’t get overly aggressive though… Do it right.

The moral of the story is, I should have gotten the 3.6 instead of the 3.8. I just figured there would be more I could do with the 3.8 to get it to perform more like the 3.6, but apparently I was wrong. I should have done more homework before buying.
That being said… I’m not completely dissatisfied with my Jeep. It gorgeous, it runs well, and it’s probably faster than my Hummer H3.

Again... Yes I'm a huge fan of the LS swap, and it can be done on the cheap... I just don't have the time to tackle such a big project, especially since my Jeep is only just turning 60,000 miles on it.
So yes, I am leaning towards the Ripp Supercharge kit. It's a much easier fix to my lagging horse power!!!

 

The numbers are in for my Hypertech Programmer.

As I stated... before I added the program I was getting 14 MPG's in town.

After I installed the Hypertech I started getting 16 in town.
I had drill this weekend and I drove close to 500 miles, and I got 20 MPG on the highway, and it was WINDY as heck!!!! Way too Windy!!!

Not being greedy, but has anyone added a different programmer and gotten the same or better results?
Is there a better programmer out there?!?!?

 

I have a 3.8 with Gibson ceramic coated headers, 5.13 gears, a Magnuson supercharger (progress with the Diablo) and 35" tires and I have averaged 15mpg over the first 6,000 miles. It also has the added weight of bumpers, ARB full skid plates and the hard top.

I have no idea what the HP or Torque numbers are but this is a real 0-60mph after the full install. Not a real practical test for a jeep but it gives a simple comparison that we can all do.

 

I do like that, more options to choose from. I may check in to the Diablo.
So that's 15 MPG on the highway?
Are you running with an automatic or a manual?