Hey, I’ve got a 6-cylinder jeep and I’m thinking about boosting its power a bit. Any ideas on upgrades that won’t break the bank?
Just looking for some suggestions, nothing too fancy like superchargers or anything pricey.
Let me know what you think!
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Well, it all depends on your budget. If you’ve got some cash to play with, consider swapping out the stock manifold for a header. Another option is looking into cold air intake systems or throttle body spacers.
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Thumbsdown Gabbana.
Gone but not forgotten!
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Hey, just to clarify, when you mentioned your car earlier, were you referring to a V8 or something else?
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Here is the correct answer.
Here are some helpful resources you can check out:
SEARCH TUTORIAL
TJ Tech BOOT CAMP-A Must Read!
FAQ: Cold Air Intakes & K&N’s
Off-Road Tips and Techniques
TJ Track Bar Clearance Issues
What is a CV shaft and why do I want one?
So you want a Tummy Tuck?
Tire size, lift height, bumpstops & shock guide
DIY Shock Shifters for Long Travel Shocks
Busted TJ Track Bar Bolt Fix
Brake Knuckle Divot/Groove Repair
Lift Install & Suspension Lessons Learned
Fabrication & Build: My Build Thread
Funny: Will it fit in my Jeep?
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Hey, thanks for reading through my post! Yeah, V8 swaps can really break the bank. I’m thinking of going with some re-gearing, maybe 4.56s or 4.88s on the rear 44. Also considering an oversized throttle body spacer and just a K&E drop-in air filter.
Funny thing is, with recent trail runs, I’ve actually been keeping up with my buddy’s 4.0, even though mine’s an automatic and his is a manual. Not sure if that’s the key difference, but it’s interesting. Overall, I’m pretty content with my 4-cylinder. I reckon it can handle most things a 4.0 can, except maybe towing folks out of sticky situations!
Thanks for all the input on the 4-cyl. Oh, and to those suggesting a V8 swap for my '97, they can take a hike! I’ll stick with my mpg, thank you very much. Cheers, everyone! (Except those V8 enthusiasts who didn’t help – sorry, a supercharger’s just not in the cards!)
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You might not be considering the power-to-weight ratio here. If you drop a 300hp V8 into your Jeep, it could actually get better fuel economy than your current 4-cylinder, as long as you don’t go full throttle all the time.
I’m not saying you should go for a V8 – it’s just something to think about. Your 4-cylinder is perfectly fine for off-roading; it’s the highway driving where you might notice a difference.
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Hey, just to clarify, when you re-gear your vehicle, it doesn’t actually give you more power. What it does is adjust where your engine operates within its power range in relation to the speed of your driveshaft.
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Perhaps consider adding a larger throttle body spacer and then just swapping in a K&E drop-in air filter.
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Nope, it’s not about power to weight ratio affecting fuel mileage. If that were the case, a V8 Silverado would get better MPG than a V6 Silverado. But that’s not how it works.
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Why would you buy that worthless crap?
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Interesting, right? Well, let me tell you about my experience. I had a 1995 shortbed with a 4.3 standard GM pickup, and on a good day, it would get around 18 MPG. Then, I switched to a 1998 350 ext cab long bed standard, and it consistently got 20-22 MPG over the 75k miles I drove it. Both were brand new when I got them, and even when the 4.3 got changed out at 35k due to a warranty issue, the fuel mileage stayed the same.
These were my own pickups, not someone else’s. Now, think about it: what do you reckon a Vette or a Mustang gets with their high horsepower motors and lightweight build?
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You know, when it comes to the 6 cyl, forced induction seems to be the way forward. I’ve tried all the typical tuning stuff like cold air intakes, exhaust pipes, and all, but they just seem to push the powerband higher and zap the low end power. I read about it in JP Magazine too.
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You know, there aren’t many options that give you a big bang for your buck. Re-gearing is one option worth considering. I also swapped out the throttle body for a 4.0l, which made a difference.
You should check out 4BangerJP for more ideas. It’s a great community focused on 6-cylinders, so you won’t encounter the know-it-all attitudes you’re seeing here.
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You know, in a recent trip, I actually performed better on trails than my friend with a 4.0. His is a manual, while mine’s an automatic. Maybe that’s the key difference, but I can’t say for sure.
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Overall, I’m content with my 6 cyl. I’m confident I can tackle most of the tasks a 4.0 can handle, except maybe pulling others out, haha! Thanks for all the insights on the 4 cyl.
As for those suggesting I swap to a V8 in my little '97, well, I’ll stick with my mpg and give them a friendly high five instead!
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