I would put the supercharger and call it a day, next thing you know it's been 10 years later and something else catches your eyes.

 

 

When it comes to emissions it's going to be tough to get any shop to guarantee and run your JK through the emission certification process in California. I was a level 2 state emissions inspector for 20 years and worked in California. Almost 300 swaps later we have over 30 JK's certified and registered in California. We are based in Nevada but we work with a couple shops in California that will certify your JK for you. Rules are constantly changing and there are some new rules in California now, good and bad. California dropped the waiting period but require all monitors to be set now as well as a full tamper, two speed tail pipe, functional and OBDII scan be performed. In addition the calibrations are now required to be certified by a dealer, engine and transmission.

Were not afraid of any of this but if you are running a non GM transmission, non stock calibration(hacked), aftermarket wiring harness....... you may have a problem. The reality is the swap must remain OE hardware and software. This is the way we have done it from the beginning; it's not the easy way but is the proper way.

Superchargers, turbochargers, air intakes.... are all subject to these rules it is not just engine swaps. I had two JK's certified here in NV in the last two weeks.

Were doing two CA builds right now, one 5.3 LMG and one 6.2 L9H. It's amazing the value the 5.3 budget build offers, over 300 HP at an affordable price. On about 1/3 of our builds we pull off superchargers, some of these guys have over $10k in these SC's with tuning, exhaust, tuner, etc....

Bottom line is get what you can afford but keep your expectations realistic, a SC will never be a V8. The sound, torque, linear throttle response is simply at a different level with a SC, the power is there but not the drivability IMO. There are some good deals on SC's out there, in fact we sell many for our customers when we remove them. But we are removing them for a reason.

The ROI on a V8 swap is long term. If you have your JK for 10 years the V8 will pay over time, not only with drivability but longevity compared to a SC V6. If you lease your JK and will sell it in a year don't bother with a V8 get a SC and live with the drivability. There is a price for everything and a $6k SC will simply not be in the same league as a V8, but may be what you need.

 

The LC9 motor is "Rated" at 315-320HP, at the motor, and is not representative of the available at wheel HP. Factoring in a drivetrain loss of @ 27%-33% (transfer case and large tire) would put you 215-230 WHP.

We rate out systems at Wheel Horse Power (WHP) and for a 3.8L with 4 speed Auto, you can expect 220-240WHP with our systems, depending on gear and tire size.

Nothing sounds like a V8, we understand that, with close to 7000 Systems sold to date, most are very happy with the performance gain for price they get from our systems.

RIPP

 

Another vote for a V8 swap. I myself was going to do a supercharger until I realized I could do a Hemi swap for not much more. There may be some advantages to an LS for sure but I am very happy with my Hemi. V8 all the way. If you can get him on the phone Todd at Jeep Speed Shop is also knowledgeable on LS swap CA emissions. If you can get him on the phone.

 

OK, here is a no BS assessment. The RIPP GEN 2 supercharger system (Vortech) along with the long tube headers and high flow cats (American racing) will take a 2011 JKU and make it run like junk/ AKA a big turd. Unfortunately the tunes for what ever reason are horrible! Everyone has problems with them, and those problems are not all the same. Now if one takes this to a good tuner like EVANS TUNING, this turd becomes a beast, and is absolutely a different animal all together. I had this problem since last October and finally had a custom tune done ( the merry-go-round with RIPP and Diablo was a whole new form of hell) last Friday and the Jeep made 257 RWHP and 283 Torque with the RIPP high altitude pulley, SRT4 injectors, and MAP sensor. Drive ability is perfect and power is steady across the spectrum. Now this package is allot cheaper then a V8 swapp, but expect to pay for a custom tune and at least a new SRT MAP, mines well get the better injectors SRT too. IF you want to see DYNO chart or pictures you can look up EVANS TUNING on facebook. Sarge is on there. AT the end of the day, even with all the trouble this RIPP kit gave me, I would still recommend saving all that cash from a V8 swap, and get the supercharger.

 

My goal was to do the V8 but with to many variables, Ca smog, long down time and increasing price to make it work and of course wife to finance ratio it just wasn't settling the way I hoped.
I am going with the RIPP SC as it is CA smog compliant and wife approved. Rebel Off-road will install it this Thursday-Friday.
V8 is still an option down the road maybe when this becomes a toy and not a DD.