Bocephus
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I have an 18 JLUR 6 Speed, which is the 3.6L engine. I've had the Magnuson Supercharger on it since last September or so, always with the stock tune that came from Petty's garage at the time. My supercharged engine recently shit the bed and is likely getting replaced. Working through my shop now and the Magnuson warranty process, fingers crossed that the warranty will be fully honored. The performance was great until it failed, and there was no big event (towing, climbing, etc) that lead to failure. All of sudden just lost power, a few other noticeable symptoms. Compression and leak down showing major issues, and my passenger cat is destroyed / gone. I am not a trail king, don't race, and I take care of my jeep - maintenance and fluids, 93 octane fuel, etc. I was by the book, and my engine appears toasted. CEL finally indicated on the day I drove my jeep to my off-road shop, but not before. I don't know everything yet, and I'm no mechanic - I probably won't be able to answer many technical questions and the jeep is not currently in my hands. Not all is 100% determined, as we're going step by step with Magnuson to diagnose and walk through their process. BUT..new engine seems likely.
So - I suspect I'm on my way to a new engine. I've had the following thoughts about my options:
- The 3.6L Pentastar
So this would be the direct replacement. I found the 3.6with manual transmission on 37's is pretty weak (even with gearing). The SC woke it up. I'm leery of putting the Magnuson back on a 3.6, after my experience. Maybe it was an issue with the tune, I've read the newer Magnusson tune is better. But still - I'd feel kind of idiotic doing it AGAIN. And I don't have the depth that folks like Kurt and Dave do - this forum and gladiator - to home-brew an intelligent and bullet proof set up. I need to rely on the box stock blower, and I'm leery of doing that again. I've read that the Eddlebrock kit may be the safest, but honestly I'm scared-off of adding any FI to my wrangler at this point. The benefits may be - the safest and most basic route. It's what the transmission was mated with. If I care about warranty..maybe having Jeep install a 3.6 is my best idea (not sure of any warranty, tbh, but seems like Jeep installing a new 3.6 is the safest and most vanilla bet).
- Any Hemi or LS
Most of the shops that are known for engine conversions - rubitrux, bruiser, Dakota, etc - I think the majority of them advise that their swaps are for AUTO transmission only. So there's that. There's also the fact that I'd just be upping the ante. As in - oh you think FI is an adventure with unpredictable outcomes? Wait til you engine swap and mate to your manual transmission...enjoy the ride. Plus..now with the 392 out, I have a hard time ignoring the possibility of selling my Jeep (and a few other treasures maybe) and starting with a 392.
- Other JL Wrangler "Stock Engines" - Focus on 3.0 Eco-Diesel
I don't find anything very interesting or worth considering about the 3.6 ETorque, or the 2.0 Turbo (in comparison the stock 3.6 ESS). The 3.0 EcoDiesel is interesting for torque, and fuel economy / range. I like diesel, but I realize modern deisel symptoms add complexity and this engine maybe less proven. I don't even know if mating the 3.0 Eco Diesel to the manual transmission is an option, it'd certainly be a one of a kind. Maybe also an adventure not worth taking, I don't know how to consider reliability here.
Bottom Line...
What would you do if you were me? And last question - do you think my potential resell value has PLUMMETED on the basis of having a new engine installed? Let's say I install the stock 3.6...do you think my resell value will take a major hit? It's a well built jeep with quality gear..stock axles, but otherwise well outfitted.
So - I suspect I'm on my way to a new engine. I've had the following thoughts about my options:
- The 3.6L Pentastar
So this would be the direct replacement. I found the 3.6with manual transmission on 37's is pretty weak (even with gearing). The SC woke it up. I'm leery of putting the Magnuson back on a 3.6, after my experience. Maybe it was an issue with the tune, I've read the newer Magnusson tune is better. But still - I'd feel kind of idiotic doing it AGAIN. And I don't have the depth that folks like Kurt and Dave do - this forum and gladiator - to home-brew an intelligent and bullet proof set up. I need to rely on the box stock blower, and I'm leery of doing that again. I've read that the Eddlebrock kit may be the safest, but honestly I'm scared-off of adding any FI to my wrangler at this point. The benefits may be - the safest and most basic route. It's what the transmission was mated with. If I care about warranty..maybe having Jeep install a 3.6 is my best idea (not sure of any warranty, tbh, but seems like Jeep installing a new 3.6 is the safest and most vanilla bet).
- Any Hemi or LS
Most of the shops that are known for engine conversions - rubitrux, bruiser, Dakota, etc - I think the majority of them advise that their swaps are for AUTO transmission only. So there's that. There's also the fact that I'd just be upping the ante. As in - oh you think FI is an adventure with unpredictable outcomes? Wait til you engine swap and mate to your manual transmission...enjoy the ride. Plus..now with the 392 out, I have a hard time ignoring the possibility of selling my Jeep (and a few other treasures maybe) and starting with a 392.
- Other JL Wrangler "Stock Engines" - Focus on 3.0 Eco-Diesel
I don't find anything very interesting or worth considering about the 3.6 ETorque, or the 2.0 Turbo (in comparison the stock 3.6 ESS). The 3.0 EcoDiesel is interesting for torque, and fuel economy / range. I like diesel, but I realize modern deisel symptoms add complexity and this engine maybe less proven. I don't even know if mating the 3.0 Eco Diesel to the manual transmission is an option, it'd certainly be a one of a kind. Maybe also an adventure not worth taking, I don't know how to consider reliability here.
Bottom Line...
What would you do if you were me? And last question - do you think my potential resell value has PLUMMETED on the basis of having a new engine installed? Let's say I install the stock 3.6...do you think my resell value will take a major hit? It's a well built jeep with quality gear..stock axles, but otherwise well outfitted.
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