Ripp......waste of $$$ just check all the forums for issues with them.

Get a LS and never look back

I know a few guys with stock axles ...they do fine its all about driving with the big brain.

That said if you want big tires then spend the $ and go BIG.

 

Having been around the motorsports world for a very long time, especially in the marine world of blown powerplants, the idea of a bolt on blower that's worthwhile is questionable at best. The base marine plants tend to be beefier in the bottom end from the start to withstand the long runs at high RPM, so they're a better platform to add forced induction to. I've not been in a 3.8, and don't have much desire to do anything with mine, other than take it out ultimately, but I can't see it having anywhere near what's needed to run long term as a forced induction mill.

Every component that is running under boost that wasn't designed to takes a beating and there isn't much room for error. Hell, the parts that are designed to run under boost still take a beating. Start with the bottom end. Crank, rods, bearings, all get hammered. Compression ratio, pistons, cam, heads, and a myriad of other variables all come into play. Without taking all the components down and making the upgrades, you're creating a timebomb when you throw a blower on to a stock plant. Then add the need for more power, pulley swaps, and you yard sale the whole thing in a hurry and have a box of busted up parts to show for it.

I wouldn't bolt one on if it was given to me. Not being specific to Ripp either. General statement in regards to all the "bolt on" blower systems that don't require you to take the engine down and bring it back up. Just my $0.02.

 

I have a 2011 running 5.38 gears on 40's and I have been running a Sprintex SC for the last year and a half. The SC at least made it barely ok to drive. I knew it would be a short term solution until I did a swap. I am currently doing a 6.0l LS with the 6L80E trans from RPMExtreme and like others have said, although the 3.8l is a gutless wonder the real problem is the transmission that can never find a gear so you spend 90% of the time with the torque converter unlocked. At the time I figured 5k for a SC would get me though another year until I was able to do a swap and then recoup some money by selling it to someone else. My advise... save your money for the swap or trade your Jeep in on a 12 or newer.

 

Check the laws, I am pretty sure it says as long as the engine and computer are from the same year or newer and all emissions equipment is functioning and it passes smog for the year of the vehicle it will be legal. Any legit company out in SoCal should be able to guarantee a pass on the install.

 

I did a little research about getting a LS Jeep pass smog in CA. Basically all the smog equipment from the Donor vehicle needs to moved over to the Jeep.

Hope this helps.

R/
Will

 

If doing a LS swap just contact Motech...save yourself headaches.

 

We have experience with supercharging, turbos and we specialize in LS and Hemi swaps, so I'd say we can speak to this.

Superchargers on a 3.8 can yield some good results if you go the right way. I've had mixed experiences with the RIPP stuff, some swear by it but I've had as much trouble as I have had success.

I have quite a bit of experience with Sprintex, and I'll tell you that if you want to take it in this direction, Sprintex is the way. Invest in their Stage II with intercooler set up with their new Diablo tune and it will wake that silly 3.8 right up. Don't bother unless you're going to do the intercooler. The base supercharger adds some ponies but guzzles fuel due to hot intake temperatures, and you still end up with a marginally adequate horsepower bump. I'd call the Stage II set up absolutely worth the money, and their tuning is second to none. It is worth noting that the 42RLE auto is not really up to the task of moving even a moderately modded JK, let alone a supercharged rig. You will eventually smoke that transmission to one degree or another.

If you have the scratch for an LS swap, then just do it. There is no better way to wake up your JK. We specialize in the Bruiser conversions set up and let me tell you it's a clean install that yields factory like fit, finish and performance. The Semi swaps are cool too if you're into brand matchy-matchy, but the LS is just simply better for your money.

We're happy to walk you through this stuff, we've done it all and are happy to share our experiences!

 

Thanks all...as much as I want an LS my budget just can't handle the extra expenses right now with re-gearing or bigger tires to compensate or the added expense to get it through California smog referee. Although Motech will get it close it is still up to me(or pay someone) to fine tune it to get it to pass(no guarantees by anyone) or the added expense for a different T-case....The list kept growing and the price kept going up.
Looks like I will just have to hold off awhile or find a different route.

 

In all seriousness, look into the Sprintex. I know they got their CARB approval last year, it's not an LS, but it is a worthwhile upgrade and since you're likely at sea level or close to it, you'll have great results. I have personal experience with this on a 3.8, I flogged the bejesus out of it and it kept on keeping on.

 

Sprintex should change their website, the picture shows a CARB # but doesn't say for what years and the description\instruction still says pending on the 3.8. Their dyno sheets for 3.8 show pentastar in the description so not sure on the numbers.