jeep claims 285. my old Silverado std cab short box had the same both with 373s and the truck would run circles around this jeep. Same goes for the 310 hp club cab 2006 I had with 343s and the newest one. An 15 with 360 and 343s. I can see the newer one but to be honest it is the slowest of the 3. I would think that any one of them are heavier then the jeep. All three were 4x4s pretty much loaded. Are these 3.6 motors a bit over rated. Don't get me wrong. Its not a slug but I would expect a bit more seat of the pants.

 

Sounds like you need an LS swap. Or a blower.

Maybe try regearing as well, could give back a little more o what you are missing.

 

I was not in awe after a drive in a stock 3.6 either.

 

The 3.6 doesn't make low end torque like those V8s.

 

you probably hit on something there. Could be the difference in torque not hp. Hp is really just a number. Torque is what moves you. But the jeep doesn't pull like the v8s on the top end either. If seat of the pants meant anything id say the 285 hp 3.6 is closer to 240 crank hp. Anyone ever dyno one and see what it actually put out. those V8s. Don't get me wrong. Like I said I'm not complaining. The jeep this one replaced was a 4cly tj and there should be a picture of one in the dictionary next to the word lame!![/

 

Its all about torque and what RPM range your making that torque. Though differential gearing is the same, transmission gearing is likely different. My Jeep isn't winning any races, but it doesn't bother me a bit.

 

Funny how perceptions of power and speed have changed over the last 10-15 years. The JK with a 3.6L can make it to 60mph in 6.6 seconds (8.1 in a loaded JKU) and that is monstrous compared the 11-12 sec 3.8L. A mid nineties sports car would lose to a stock JK in that race.

The JK is rather fast before throwing big tires and armor on it. However, comparing a torquey V8 to a 3.6 with a 6800rpm redline is something else. If you're looking for the HP, you have to drive it like a V6 in the 4500+ rpm range.

 

This seems appropriate right about now.

 

Iv noticed that you have to wind the Jeep up to the redline to actually feel the pull. It feels more like a civic ricer with this engine. If you have a manual you can pre load the RPMs before dropping the clutch for a faster take off. It's what they had to do before most sports cars had launch control.

Either way we are not going to be winning any races. Diesel is where it's at for low end torque.

 

Both the torque and horsepower are inadequate for the 3.6 particularly in the Unlimited IMHO, and max torque and power is indeed way too far up in the rev range to be useful.