4.1 stroker? Who's done it? Pros vs cons
 

Ok so I have a 3.8 that has 95,000 on it and turning 38s, I know it's time can't be much longer so I'm looking into options on rebuilds, anyone done a 4.1 stroker?

Never seen a 4.1 stroker. I am interested to see if anyone did it. Ive seen plenty of 5.7 hemis and 6.2 ls

Hesco makes a kit. The problem is the cost just isnt worth it....

the 3.8 is already a stroked out 3.3 IIRC.. I wouldn't do much more to it.

I just saw a reference in Jp magazine about a 4.1 stroker from 505 Performance. I looked it up and it's 32 hundy. Less than a super charger but pricey in my opinion.

i will have a 4.1 L stroker engine ordered on monday. i can't wait....

I like what I read on the 505 kit. If I were going to do it I would go with their complete long block. While you might not gain a lot of power the engine should last longer than stock with the components they use.

Was going to buy a long block, but time is not on my side. I'm buying complete engine. Too bad nobody on this forum has one. Would love to get a review on it.

Does anyone know what the kit gives as far as torque and hp??

It says on the website 285hp and 385 torque. I'm really digging this idea.
Complete 3.8s are cheap. A local shop used to sell them for 250 a piece. They were take out good running stuff.

I just ordered a 4.1 stroker engine from 505 performance. I wonder if that 285hp is at the wheel or crank? I can't wait to get it here and put it in.

It'll be crank hp. If that was wheel no one would pay upward of 15k for V8 swaps lol. Still though that's matching the pentastar hp and adding 100 tq. That's awesome. Plus strokers make it down low where it matters

Does this come with a tuner or is it plug and play?

now you need a RIPP on it and put the v8s to shame lol

the shit of it is i'm putting my ripp on it. probably going to need driveshafts and axles in the near future. :beer::beer::beer::beer:

tuner. 10 tunes for $300

Are you installing it yourself? I'll be dying to see this when you get it done!

Dang man that's going to be a lot of power better invest in that ATS hd transmission! I'm on my 3rd trans with 70k.

http://www.atsdiesel.com/ats2/produc...p?p=3069408320 there is a link if your interest on down the road.

Keep us posted on this I am really interested. I think this a great solution but all the risk is in the machining. I would advice you find an engine builder or an engineer to help with the QA QC on the machining before you even bed the crank or clearance the first piston. If everything is machined well. You could be set up for an awesome upgrade. Buy a tube of dykem blue, some bore gauges, and dial indicator to put the screws to the machine shop. I will consider this if I can do the machining and have the time. Good luck!!

Yes I will be doing this in my garage.

That tranny looks and sounds bulletproof. I'm going to have to take it easy for awhile. I have used all my allowance for a while according to my loving and understanding wife. Lol

Will you be getting the ported heads as well? It doesn't look like that is included in the kit and it seems like that is where the majority of the gains are coming from along with the cams. This is so tempting, I have the lifetime powertrain warranty and I'm still thinking of going this route when mine gives up a goose egg, just cracked 100k.

Please continue to provide updates, there is very little information out there on this besides some banter and what's in jp magazine.

Yes it has ported heads.

I am going to check this out and watch the results of your build. I just rolled 95000 and have been wondering what to do when mine gives up the ghost.

Sent from my iPhone using JK-Forum

Has anybody found any videos on this motor on the inter web?

Granted, it's only the Internet, but I've read accounts that the stroker is unreliable. The author of the information states that a friend has been through three stroked motors and cost more than a V8 swap to "get it right."

Sent from some string and a few tin cans.

Where's said info at? I would love to read the article.

There is a stroker kit from HESCO but it's more money and they don't provide a lot of info. The kit from HESCO is almost the same as the engine from 505.

it's over on wayalife. A member over there is friends with and met with a pit crew member whose had some issues with a stroker and another acquaintance was on the third. A search for stroker will pull it up. Sent from some string and a few tin cans.

I wonder if that's why there was never a follow up to the original article. If I'm reading it right that engine was comp'ed for the magazine. Hard to badmouth someone giving you free stuff. Some good info at WOL just wish it wasn't a constant penis measuring contest over there.

I read the thread that was mentioned earlier. I got no actual info from it. It also had to be old or the price has changed a lot because from what I could decipher from all the BS was that a long block was 5400. You can get the engine for 4750 plus shipping. It's also a significant increase in power if their numbers are accurate.

Saying you shouldn't try the stroker because 2 people had issues and you can swap an LS or a Hemi for anywhere between 10k to 20k is stupid.


My 3.8 is in the jeep right now with no modifications. So what if I have to put headers on the stroker. There is no modification needed to put a 3.8 back in where it came from.

I'm with you. My JKU has 128,000 on it and still running strong. Of course, I keep up with it religiously. But I know at some point I will have to replace the engine or transmission or both. I'm much more inclined to do a direct replacement rather than have to modify to replace. And since the stroker engine is exactly the same on the exterior, it should just go right in and cost a heck of a lot less than the $10,000 to $20,000 for a V8.

Any of you who have done this install, please post on your experience thus far.

That article on WOL read it and got no knowledge from it. Whoever said it a big penis measuring contest hit the nail on the head on that one. If I had the time and money I would do a V8 swap but I don't. I don't have the time or money to spend on this stroker engine but I have to have my jeep. That article was worthless.

Ive been watching this company closely. I have 87xxx on my JK and I feel itll go at any time haha. I keep up with the care but still have that gut feeling. So ill be putting money aside here and there to fund 505's comeplete engine and swap it in and add forced induction. :beer: Ill be watching this thread like a damn hawk.

Same here. With my jeep being paid for I just can't fathom buying a new one. Would much rather repair as it breaks.

I'm glad I'm not the only one with my train of thought. 2.5 weeks left. The waiting is killing me.

I can't wait either maybe it comes in early so I can order mine if everything works out!

When you guys get it installed you should dyno it. I would love to see the power improvement as well as the the new curves. Hopefully it has more power down low.

I looked into the Hesco product and spoke to the tech guy over there. He spend more time trying to talk me out of the idea then telling me any specifics of the product. He stated that it produced 50hp and 50ft-lb. He was pushing me down the SC path. So, my guess is they were having troubles with the product at that time.

A few thoughts..
I had a 3.8 with a Ripp for 35000 miles on it.
it made enough power but it ran hot.
285 hp isn't that impressive. a VVT hemi with the mild tune offered by the kit manufacturers is about 420 hp.
I also burned up a tranny with the supercharged 3.8 while the hemi has a 545 rfe truck trans.
However, it should be stated that the 3.8 is a LOT lighter than the hemi and the stroker is a LOT cheaper.

For me, 285 HP is not enough. It makes more sense to buy a jeep with a 3.6