Most economical way to add some pep to my Wrangler?

[Turaven]

Between the abysmal gearing on my sport/6-speed and the limp dick torque of the pentastar, my Jeep always feels sluggish unless you're pumping the eurobeat and shifting at redline constantly like a maniac.

My soul wants to add the center force clutch and a supercharger kit. But that's pushing $10k just in parts with obvious reliability concerns.

Regearing seems like a good idea. A few grand and would "unlock" 5th and 6th gear. As it stands I rarely use more than 4th gear. I have no desire for adding larger tires though, so a 4.88 or something sounds kinda stupid, and going to a 3.73 or 4.10 doesn't sound like it's enough change to be worth the cost when you're not actually gaining power, just cheesing the torque multiplication math.

Just sell my jeep and buy a 2.0L? I really don't like the 2.0L, but it definitely puts down more low-end torque and would definitely be cheaper than a supercharger. Transferring my mods is going to be a pain in the ass though, and it's tough to find lower trim jeeps with the tow/aux switch panel option that I consider necessary equipment.

I'd really consider swapping into an ecodiesel but I don't have drive patterns that jive well with modern diesel engines. Diesel is also ludicrously expensive here.

Those seem the only reasonable options that I can think of. With another clutch fire recall going out in a month and likely no proper fix maybe I just wait for the new 4Runner and enjoy my jeep as-is until then? If they dunk the hybridmax engine in there with 400lb-ft of torque and no faffing around with a plug like the 4xe it sounds like a winner.

Yous guys' thoughts?

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[jludave]

Yous guys' thoughts?

You have a new '23, so I have to ask. Did you go for a test drive of that or similar vehicle before you purchased? If I knew a vehicle didn't perform/drive the way I liked beforehand, I wouldn't purchase it.

If you're not adding larger tires, a re-gear isn't worth it.

It already sounds like you have buyer's regret, so you'll likely never be happy with the Wrangler. Sell it, cut your losses and move into something you'll be happier driving. Just my opinion.

 

[JT1]

4.10 from the 3.45 would be a noticeable improvement. If you are going to get bigger than 33s, 4.56s

 

[blnewt]

@jludave is pretty much what I would say, maybe a 4.56 gear or just live w/ your 4spd (at least you won't have to shift as much)

 

[multicam]

Hemi swap

 

[jludave]

If you are going to get bigger than 33s, 4.56s

OP already said "I have no desire for adding larger tires though".

 

[JT1]

OP already said "I have no desire for adding larger tires though".

They ALWAYS say that. And then they buy a set of Rubi take offs because they are cheaper than new tires and they look better

 

[Rogues Gambit]

Hemi swap

It's only $29,560 for a 5.7 and $33,060 for a 6.4 now (Sauce)

 

[Turaven]

You have a new '23, so I have to ask. Did you go for a test drive of that or similar vehicle before you purchased? If I knew a vehicle didn't perform/drive the way I liked beforehand, I wouldn't purchase it.

If you're not adding larger tires, a re-gear isn't worth it.

It already sounds like you have buyer's regret, so you'll likely never be happy with the Wrangler. Sell it, cut your losses and move into something you'll be happier driving. Just my opinion.

Any time I express something that I dislike about my Wrangler everyone says "obvious buyers remorse, sell it!" I don't get it. It's a '23 but it's pushing 6 moths old, I didn't just pick it up and have regrets. I custom ordered it and paid cash for exactly what I wanted.

I test drove all the standard configurations. 2/4 door. 6-speed V6, 2.0L turbo, V6 with e-torque. I honestly liked the e-torque the best, it nicely fills out the low torque from a dead stop and then lets the pentastar deliver the smooth, good power that it does have hiding away. I wasn't interested in paying the $4200 or whatever it was to order a system of unproved reliability that Chrysler seems will likely abandon and not iterate/improve on.

 

[Turaven]

Hemi swap

As cool as a hemi swap is I'd rather supercharge instead of ripping out a whole drivetrain, even if the costs were equal.

 

[Turaven]

They ALWAYS say that. And then they buy a set of Rubi take offs because they are cheaper than new tires and they look better

I dig the black steelies way more than rubi wheels

 

[jludave]

I custom ordered it and paid cash for exactly what I wanted.

Yes, but then you come on here and ask what you can do to improve the driving characteristics of the vehicle. If you really ordered what you wanted, this wouldn't be an issue, right? Not looking to pick a fight here. I'm just trying to understand the mindset.

 

[JT1]

Any time I express something that I dislike about my Wrangler everyone says "obvious buyers remorse, sell it!" I don't get it. It's a '23 but it's pushing 6 moths old, I didn't just pick it up and have regrets. I custom ordered it and paid cash for exactly what I wanted.

I test drove all the standard configurations. 2/4 door. 6-speed V6, 2.0L turbo, V6 with e-torque. I honestly liked the e-torque the best, it nicely fills out the low torque from a dead stop and then lets the pentastar deliver the smooth, good power that it does have hiding away. I wasn't interested in paying the $4200 or whatever it was to order a system of unproved reliability that Chrysler seems will likely abandon and not iterate/improve on.

My 6spd Gladiator was a dog on the 32's. A regear will definitely help.. I'm on 37's and 5.13s now.
If you are truly never going to put larger tires on it, 4.10s will make it better. 4.30s (if they ever come out) may be the perfect solution

 

[Heimkehr]

Between the abysmal gearing on my sport/6-speed and the limp dick torque of the pentastar, my Jeep always feels sluggish unless you're pumping the eurobeat and shifting at redline constantly like a maniac.

I test drove three Wranglers with the V6, manual and automatic, to give that engine a fair chance. My takeaway each time was identical to what's quoted here, so I ordered the 2.0T sight- and test-drive unseen. My choice is validated every time I drive my Jeep. That engine, paired with the superlative 850RE, is an absolute hoot.

You subsequently say your custom-ordered Jeep was exactly what you wanted, after testing multiple engine and transmissions ("all the standard configurations"). Why the change of heart now?

 

[Organic Gasoline]

Reprogramming the PCM is the best way to gain some free horse power. Doesn't cost that much and has many other benefits along with the added power improvements - Turns off auto start, code reader and diagnostic info; and others

I am running the six speed as well, still never use 6th gear, but this tuner has made me pretty happy.
https://www.livernoismotorsports.co...gler-and-gladiator-3-6l-tuner-with-pcm-unlock

The added torque on the trail is nice, and you can get about 30+ HP without any other modifications.

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