The Great V8 Debate

[Matt]

I love the 4.0L!! No need for the V8 if you can get a smoking deal on a 4.0. I've been trying to blow mine up for years now  </LMAO/>

Same amount of work for a swap to I6 or V8, so its not worth going to a I6 IMHO. Ive drove both, 4.0 it aint much better in the power department.

[Krawler00]

4.0 has a ton of power for the trails and street. Mine has more than enough to turn my 35's. You just been behind the wheel of that 4 pooper too long! Gears are all you need for the 4.0 {popcorn}

[Matt]

4.0 has a ton of power for the trails and street. Mine has more than enough to turn my 35's. You just been behind the wheel of that 4 pooper too long! Gears are all you need for the 4.0 {popcorn}

Mine has plenty of power for the trails and street too. I can maintain the same or better highway speeds than the 4.0L jeeps on 35s. 75-85MPH all day long in 5th gear, uphill it never drops below 70MPH. So why swap for a marginally (VERY SLIM) better engine, with a little better take off.  If I put the work in, it will be for something thats worth it.  Your welcome to drive mine any time for a comparison. //OLDSKOOL//

If you think the 4.0L is powerful, then you been driving a jeep too long.  {rtft}

[Krawler00]

You is crazy Matt!  ;D So you don't take torque into account? My 4.88, vs. your 4.88 4cyl in crawling. As in let the clutch out and let it walk, you are telling me it would perform the same? No way! You would bog out way too quick when encountering a rock or hill. As for highway, I cannot see any way in heck that your 4cyl could do better on the highway than a 6cyl. I have plenty of power as well but this just sounds crazy to me. Here is my thoughts on a v8 swap...

1. cool
2. cool
3. once the swap is done, you now have to build EVERYTHING else to handle the extra power. All of that power has to go somewhere and it will end up breaking more parts than a 6cyl would. Yes, driving style matters but that power has to be transmitted into energy throughout the running gear, trans, trans case, u joints, driveshafts, etc.

To me, unless you are wanting to play with full built buggies like tanner and those guys, there is no need for it. Just look at how many rigs we have in this club running 37's and up and still using the 4.0. Danny is running 40's and has no issue with lack of power, same for Larry and he is on street gears ;D Like I said, there is definitely a cool factor to a swap, but to me, not even worth the time or $ to do it. You could put that time and $ into alot of other more functional things for the vehicle. I am not [hammer] on you, just stating my points and what I think about it. I just can't see a 4cyl, being comparable to a 6cyl 4.0 in any way shape or form

Not sure what year yours is, but look at the ratings...

2.5L I-4 151 cu in - 1997-2002
* 120 hp @ 5,400 RPM
* 140 ft/lbs @ 3,500 RPM
* OHV
* Sequential port fuel injection
* 2 valves per cylinder
* Compression ratio = 9.20:1 (97-00) / 9.10:1 (01-02)


2.4L I-4 148 cu in - 2003-2006
* 147 hp @ 5,200 RPM
* 165 ft/lbs @ 4,000 RPM
* DOHC
* 4 valves per cylinder
* Compression ratio = 9.50:1


4.0L I-6 242 cu in - 2000-2006
* 190 hp @ 4,600 RPM
* 235 ft/lbs @ 3,200 RPM
* OHV
* Sequential port fuel injection
* 2 valves per cylinder
* Compression ratio = 8.80:1
* Distributor-less ignition
* Redesigned cylinder head
* Redesigned 2 piece exhaust manifold

[lt99ls1]

I have plenty of power as well but this just sounds crazy to me. Here is my thoughts on a v8 swap...

3. once the swap is done, you now have to build EVERYTHING else to handle the extra power.

Sounds like your trying to take me into V8ing my Tj.

To me, unless you are wanting to play with full built buggies like tanner and those guys, there is no need for it. Just look at how many rigs we have in this club running 37's and up and still using the 4.0. Danny is running 40's and has no issue with lack of power, same for Larry and he is on street gears

This was true for me for years up till the Harlan ky trip. That was my 1st trip out with 5.38s.

[Trailabite]

How did the 5.38's work for you? That's what I'm running in my new to me axles along with the stock 231 and was just wandering if it was low enough.

[lt99ls1]

How did the 5.38's work for you? That's what I'm running in my new to me axles along with the stock 231 and was just wandering if it was low enough.

i have a 4:1 tcase. I love it. The tj will bark the tires shifting into every gear in on the pavement in 4wl. I can climb most stuff in 3rd.

[Trailabite]

How did the 5.38's work for you? That's what I'm running in my new to me axles along with the stock 231 and was just wandering if it was low enough.

i have a 4:1 tcase. I love it. The tj will bark the tires shifting into every gear in on the pavement in 4wl. I can climb most stuff in 3rd.

Cool, that's what I wanted to hear, although I don't have 4:1 yet! I have been eyeballing that RubiCrawler though.

[Matt]

You is crazy Matt!  ;D So you don't take torque into account? My 4.88, vs. your 4.88 4cyl in crawling. As in let the clutch out and let it walk, you are telling me it would perform the same? No way! You would bog out way too quick when encountering a rock or hill. As for highway, I cannot see any way in heck that your 4cyl could do better on the highway than a 6cyl. I have plenty of power as well but this just sounds crazy to me. Here is my thoughts on a v8 swap...

1. cool
2. cool
3. once the swap is done, you now have to build EVERYTHING else to handle the extra power. All of that power has to go somewhere and it will end up breaking more parts than a 6cyl would. Yes, driving style matters but that power has to be transmitted into energy throughout the running gear, trans, trans case, u joints, driveshafts, etc.

To me, unless you are wanting to play with full built buggies like tanner and those guys, there is no need for it. Just look at how many rigs we have in this club running 37's and up and still using the 4.0. Danny is running 40's and has no issue with lack of power, same for Larry and he is on street gears ;D Like I said, there is definitely a cool factor to a swap, but to me, not even worth the time or $ to do it. You could put that time and $ into alot of other more functional things for the vehicle. I am not [hammer] on you, just stating my points and what I think about it. I just can't see a 4cyl, being comparable to a 6cyl 4.0 in any way shape or form

Not sure what year yours is, but look at the ratings...

2.5L I-4 151 cu in - 1997-2002
* 120 hp @ 5,400 RPM
* 140 ft/lbs @ 3,500 RPM
* OHV
* Sequential port fuel injection
* 2 valves per cylinder
* Compression ratio = 9.20:1 (97-00) / 9.10:1 (01-02)


2.4L I-4 148 cu in - 2003-2006
* 147 hp @ 5,200 RPM
* 165 ft/lbs @ 4,000 RPM
* DOHC
* 4 valves per cylinder
* Compression ratio = 9.50:1


4.0L I-6 242 cu in - 2000-2006
* 190 hp @ 4,600 RPM
* 235 ft/lbs @ 3,200 RPM
* OHV
* Sequential port fuel injection
* 2 valves per cylinder
* Compression ratio = 8.80:1
* Distributor-less ignition
* Redesigned cylinder head
* Redesigned 2 piece exhaust manifold

Looks good on paper, hows it working in real life.

1. Our final crawl ratio is pretty much the exact same. Actually mine is a bit better (52.03 vs 50.84), but again doesnt mean much on paper. I dont bog down on anything in 4LO. If its too steep then all 4 tires loose traction, which I assume yours does the same. If you let RPM die when you let out on the clutch of course it will die on hill. Neither of our gear or power is gonna prevent that.

2. If you doubt my highway speed, drive over here and take it for a spin, post up the results.

Adam and anyone else that has rode in my jeep can confirm (my speedo is correct as well), this jeep will do 85 mph on the interstate and not drop below 70 mph. If yours cant do that then why would I want to put a 4.0L in? Whats final HP & Torque, when your not taking into account where your making that power in the RPM band, trans gear ratios, overall vehicle weight, etc.

I have no reason to lie about my jeep, nor do I complain about it not having enough power. I will probably be running 37s with this same engine. Remember your the one who thinks I need to put a 4.0 in my jeep? I am not trying to convince you to swap to a 2.5. There is not enough benefit for the amount of work that goes into that swap (FACT). If there is an engine swap in my future it will be V8 and if I have to swap everything else, I will. I have the knowledge and when money comes so will the mods.

[Matt]

I'm not saying the 2.5 is more powerful, just 4.0 is not much better.


Sent from a smart phone, duh!

[Krawler00]

I can say this... If you ask the majority, anyone would take the 4.0 over the 4cyl. I still don't think the crawling ability is that close. Torque determines that. Again, not looking to argue or get in a debate over this, just stating my opinion on the 2 engines and the fact (to me) the 4.0 is a much better motor in the end or on paper. Would I want a v8, honestly, no. Just a waste of power for my type of wheeling. We need to do a side by side crawl test sometime. I would like to see the difference, if any. I might be dead wrong!


off grid post

[bjeep]

So if the 4.0 is so great. What kind of gas mileage are
you getting? A 5.3 in a tj is getting right at 22mpg. If you
are DD it u don't see where you can go wrong. IMO