Engine Upgrade options....

L

LVMohave

Member
Hi everyone - I have a 2023 Mojave and love the truck. I do wish it did have more power, especially when going up in tires size. I do have a Banks PedalMonster which does make it ALOT nicer to drive over stock mode. I'm just wondering since it seems ANY engine swap I'm aware of to replace the 3.6l gas engine is an LS, LT or Hemi....which seems to be in the $35K+ range when completed. That's out of reach cost wise for most of us.

I know some people have supercharged their 3.6 L gas engine in the past (pre 2021 1/2 Jeeps) but for the 2021 1/2 NEWER Jeeps, it it seems like nobody has broken the code to offer engine upgrades like Magenson, Procharger, etc.... Now I've also heard from "experts" the Pentastar is NOT a great engine to start with to add this kinda power onto it reliably.

I'm NOT a mechanic, so I'm guessing (and asking) - The most logical solution to me is to buy a clean used Pentastar 3.6L gas engine (so I can keep mine in my truck so I can use it) and rebuild it with beefier components and then add a Magneson supercharger once they crack the code to do so. The cost would be like HALF the cost of the previously mentioned replacements and offer a big power upgrade and be reliable?

THOUGHTS?
 
JT@623 said:
None of the power adders to the pentastar are worth the effort. Gears would be my first choice to gaining power back. Save your money for a V8
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Im not sure you read my last paragraph, but I asked if you "beefed up" a Pentastar engine to handle power of a supercharger and be reliable. (Im NOT clear if you addressed that - apologies if I misunderstood)
 
The heads on a pentastar are part of the problem. I’m sure you could do crank rods etc but in my opinion you’d be better off finding a 5.3 or 6.0 and building that as you can . Lots of people have done the swap and save a few bucks. Not to mention the transmission prior to the 8 speed is probably the next weak link .
 
Pretty sure you’d be just tossing good money after bad by “ beefing up” the pentastar. Then what a blower? So you go forged crank and rods then stick a blower on it ? When all is said and done you’re better off with a swap.
 
I've had a couple of friends add superchargers only to replace those with V8 after dealing with the issues of the supercharger.

I've researched beefing up the 3.6 haven't found anything that looks like it's an upgrade compared to stock.
 
NPC 6060⁸42 said:
Pretty sure you’d be just tossing good money after bad by “ beefing up” the pentastar. Then what a blower? So you go forged crank and rods then stick a blower on it ? When all is said and done you’re better off with a swap.
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ok- but a swap is just too expensive for me right now
JT@623 said:
You can find a decent 5.3 6L80 combo fairly cheap. A stock V8 will out perform most built V6’s.
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ok- Is that combo drop in ready? Or does some reflashing (whatever its called) have to happen for the engine to work in the JT? Can you give a few more details
 
Think you have already sold yourself on the idea of "polishing a turd" but is not worth it, even at "half the price" of a full swap. You can only get so much out of a 3.6 and saving up for a full swap is really the only option. Yes is expensive, but will save you a ton of headache down the road and will get you ACTUAL power, with the bonus of going to an 8 or 10 speed transmission.

Trust me, I've been in the same boat for a while and just waiting for a swap instead of pissing away money.
 
LVMohave said:
I went to Motec about 6 months ago. I was not impressed with their shop - it was filthy. Junk lying around every, seemed like no organization. Seems like the guys therre were all very young too.
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LOL - didn't say you needed to use them, just to LOOK at all the 3.6L engines they had laying around with super chargers on them.
 
I should also note, MOST people who have one are never honest about the problems they have. They'll all tell you that it's the best thing they've ever done and it works flawlessly. Of course, when you're out on a long trip or run, problems is all they ever have and they've got a million excuses for all of them.

But hey, seems like you've got it all figured out so install one on your Jeep and then tell us how awesome it is, just like everyone else (y)
 
Disciple Off Road said:
Think you have already sold yourself on the idea of "polishing a turd" but is not worth it, even at "half the price" of a full swap. You can only get so much out of a 3.6 and saving up for a full swap is really the only option. Yes is expensive, but will save you a ton of headache down the road and will get you ACTUAL power, with the bonus of going to an 8 or 10 speed transmission.

Trust me, I've been in the same boat for a while and just waiting for a swap instead of pissing away money.
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Engines arent my expertise, so I was wondering, but I was asking if my "idea" had any merit since the other options were so expensive. Seems like you guys put my idea to bed. - so I dont fully understand, but I do listen when 5+ people are telling me change direction
 
wayoflife said:
I should also note, MOST people who have one are never honest about the problems they have. They'll all tell you that it's the best thing they've ever done and it works flawlessly. Of course, when you're out on a long trip or run, problems is all they ever have and they've got a million excuses for all of them.

But hey, seems like you've got it all figured out so install one on your Jeep and then tell us how awesome it is, just like everyone else (y)
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understood. I dont have it figured out, but it doesnt hurt to ask questions to understand.
 
LVMohave said:
Engines arent my expertise, so I was wondering, but I was asking if my "idea" had any merit since the other options were so expensive. Seems like you guys put my idea to bed. - so I dont fully understand, but I do listen when 5+ people are telling me change direction

THANK YOU for everyone taking the time to answer.
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Just trying to help out and based on actual experience over the last 25+ years. If I really thought they were so great, I can guarantee you that I would have one on at least one of my Jeeps and to be completely honest, I've been offered more than one for FREE over the years.
 
JT@623 said:
None of the power adders to the pentastar are worth the effort. Gears would be my first choice to gaining power back. Save your money for a V8
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This is probably the single best advice I could give as well ^^^

Also, a HEMI is pretty much the only real option available at this time. Everyone seems to be in love with AMW but Jeep Speed in CA will do the work too.
 
wayoflife said:
This is probably the single best advice I could give as well ^^^

Also, a HEMI is pretty much the only real option available at this time. Everyone seems to be in love with AMW but Jeep Speed in CA will do the work too.
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If I had the extra cash - believe me, I would already have an AMW 4x4 Gladiator!!!!!! They truely create works of art. Unfortunately my medical issues arent cheap and the VA has not been very good to us vets.
 
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