Looking for 4.6 stroker engine feedback

[Illiquid]

I talked with a guy at a meet few months back. He’s running a newcomber racing “torque monster” stroker in his built 06 lj rubicon.

Said he liked the engine but for the money would have gone v8 if he could do it again.

(Yes we both know the v8 would have been more expensive)

 

[jwilkinson01]

I could have done a V8 for a hell of a lot less than I am going to end up putting into my 4.0 and I have read enough to know what a V8 swap really costs, so not the unrealistic "I did an LS swap for 5K" bullshit. And that was my plan for a long time. However, I live somewhere where I can't get an engine swap registered if it is not an engine that was offered originally. So stroker and/or turbo is all I can do.

 

[BlueC]

I talked with a guy at a meet few months back. He’s running a newcomber racing “torque monster” stroker in his built 06 lj rubicon.

Said he liked the engine but for the money would have gone v8 if he could do it again.

(Yes we both know the v8 would have been more expensive)

Newcomer engines start at $7,800 + additional stuff, and run upwards of $15,000. At those prices, an LS swap would be better and probably cheaper.

Talking about Newcomer, I remember seeing him running a white turbo I-6 XJ at a local track yeas ago, I think at Mooresville. I had never heard of him, he might not have had a shop back then, but that XJ would pull the front left tire off the line. It was impressive, and I remember him running against a new-at-that-time Jeep SRT8 and holding his own.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I could have done a V8 for a hell of a lot less than I am going to end up putting into my 4.0 and I have read enough to know what a V8 swap really costs, so not the unrealistic "I did an LS swap for 5K" bullshit. And that was my plan for a long time. However, I live somewhere where I can't get an engine swap registered if it is not an engine that was offered originally. So stroker and/or turbo is all I can do.

I believe you should be able to do a Hemi, as they were offered in the Cherokee.

 

[BlueC]

I believe you should be able to do a Hemi, as they were offered in the Cherokee.

Look at you finding potential loopholes, I'm proud.

 

[jwilkinson01]

I believe you should be able to do a Hemi, as they were offered in the Cherokee.

I talked to the guy that does the inspection on engine swaps, he said that the computer can't be changed, so if he was telling the truth I can't see how any swap would be possible.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Said he liked the engine but for the money would have gone v8 if he could do it again.

(Yes we both know the v8 would have been more expensive)

The "best" feature of a Jeep I6 stroker is the bang for the buck you get when you are doing a rebuild anyways. Even more so back in the day when factory 258 cranks were practically given away. Buying a pre built long block makes sense compared to a V8 swap only for specific reasons or because stubborn & crazy. I'm the later.

 

[Apparition]

Newcomer engines start at $7,800 + additional stuff, and run upwards of $15,000. At those prices, an LS swap would be better and probably cheaper.

Talking about Newcomer, I remember seeing him running a white turbo I-6 XJ at a local track yeas ago, I think at Mooresville. I had never heard of him, he might not have had a shop back then, but that XJ would pull the front left tire off the line. It was impressive, and I remember him running against a new-at-that-time Jeep SRT8 and holding his own.

Not a TJ but I watched this over the weekend. He bought a Silverado with a junk tranny for $800 and instead of refreshing the engine out of it he bought a rebuilt long block for $2600, used the accessories and some emissions from the truck. He also bought a new transmission but I didn't see him say how much that ran him. And he bought a harness kit from RPM Extreme which was likely $3k. All in he says somewhere between $10k to $12k when complete and fully integrated into the existing JK electronics. Had be bought a decently running donor vehicle and not wanted the engine and trans refreshed/replaced he could have done it for considerably less.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I talked to the guy that does the inspection on engine swaps, he said that the computer can't be changed, so if he was telling the truth I can't see how any swap would be possible.

I looked around for a few minutes and it looks like CO implemented CA style emissions back at the beginning of this year. If that's actually the case, that really sucks. I'd have no hope of tagging my rig there.

 

[jwilkinson01]

I looked around for a few minutes and it looks like CO implemented CA style emissions back at the beginning of this year. If that's actually the case, that really sucks. I'd have no hope of tagging my rig there.

It's not everywhere in CO. Colorado Springs, for example has no emissions inspections/testing whatsoever, actually most of the state doesn't. However I am in the Denver area. I actually considered moving, but I decided a V8 wasn't an acceptable reason to uproot my kid.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

I actually considered moving, but I decided a V8 wasn't an acceptable reason to uproot my kid.

Don't worry about it man. We all make mistakes in life

 

[Woodrow]

Strokers perform the way a stock 4.0l should have. That feeling of barely being adequate goes away.

They might not be a hot rod v8 but can be more than enough to have fun with.

I second the warning about proper engine break in. @Woodrow doesn't golen offer that service? It would be one less thing they can accuse you of if there does wind up being a cam issue later

Sorry. Missed this. Yes, they do the break in before an engine stand dyno which they video for you (at least when you buy the complete engine).

 

[rlinares40]

I built my own 4.7L stroker about 2/3 years ago.

IMHO you don't feel much of a difference. I think a lot of people expect V8 HP/TQ but it doesn't come close. The engine lasted about 1000 before overheating (Common with the 4.7L) and throwing a rod.

Put a 5.3L LS in its place and it was exactly what i was wanting power wise but with low gas mileage (8-9MPG) i barely drove it.

Pulled the LS and sold it. Currently swapping in a 2.0L TDI which sould be the best of both worlds (MPG and power wise).

 

[BlueC]

I built my own 4.7L stroker about 2/3 years ago.

IMHO you don't feel much of a difference. I think a lot of people expect V8 HP/TQ but it doesn't come close. The engine lasted about 1000 before overheating (Common with the 4.7L) and throwing a rod.

Put a 5.3L LS in its place and it was exactly what i was wanting power wise but with low gas mileage (8-9MPG) i barely drove it.

Pulled the LS and sold it. Currently swapping in a 2.0L TDI which sould be the best of both worlds (MPG and power wise).

I have questions.
1 - What/how did you build the 4.7? (what major parts did you use, what work was done to the block and/or head)
2 - Cause of failure?
3 - You say your 5.3 LS got terrible mileage, which is worse than the stock truck it likely came out of, did you try to figure out why? I have friends with LS swaps running in the upper teens/low 20s. Other than poor condition, I can't think of what would have held yours back so much.

 

[Jezza]

Pulled the LS and sold it. Currently swapping in a 2.0L TDI which sould be the best of both worlds (MPG and power wise).

I'm not sure you will be happy with the power output of the 2.0 TDI. The Jetta barely manages 0-60 in under 11 seconds. You could turn it up, but then you have more lag and less reliability.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

I built my own 4.7L stroker about 2/3 years ago.

IMHO you don't feel much of a difference. I think a lot of people expect V8 HP/TQ but it doesn't come close. The engine lasted about 1000 before overheating (Common with the 4.7L) and throwing a rod.

If you couldn't feel much of a difference, you didn't do something right. The difference is huge. And throwing a rod is not common with them.

 

[D's Jeep Wrld]

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I need that.

 

[Freddy B]

Hi jeepers
I have LJ 2005
Regear 4.56 .wheel 33.12.5R15 with left kit 3inch manual 6 speed transmission
Planning to purchase stoker engine 4.6 stage 2 from Golen
Please looking for feed back on this engine or is there any other recommendation
Regards,

i've had my golen for about 5 years. it's been a lot of trouble. It's an automatic, so you'll likely have fewer problems. My stock jeep had only 45K on it, and very few hard miles. Constant issues with the sensors for the motor. Personally, I'd do the wranglerfix day 1 just to eliminate that as a potential problem. I've replaced almost all sensors, still problems. Golen gave me upgraded fuel injectors, had problems with a lifter, replaced it after getting deck rehoned, due to inadequate tolerances, and then reinstalled ($1800). Gas mileage dropped by about 2 mpg under under normal driving. I just wanted to be able to pass a car now and then. Had to upgrade cooling, uphills it consistently gets 235+ in the radiator temps. All this just to get some additional HP, which it does have. Definitely. If a V8 is in your budget, might be worth the extra money. And have more upgrade options.

 

[Rickyd]

i've had my golen for about 5 years. it's been a lot of trouble. It's an automatic, so you'll likely have fewer problems. My stock jeep had only 45K on it, and very few hard miles. Constant issues with the sensors for the motor. Personally, I'd do the wranglerfix day 1 just to eliminate that as a potential problem. I've replaced almost all sensors, still problems. Golen gave me upgraded fuel injectors, had problems with a lifter, replaced it after getting deck rehoned, due to inadequate tolerances, and then reinstalled ($1800). Gas mileage dropped by about 2 mpg under under normal driving. I just wanted to be able to pass a car now and then. Had to upgrade cooling, uphills it consistently gets 235+ in the radiator temps. All this just to get some additional HP, which it does have. Definitely. If a V8 is in your budget, might be worth the extra money. And have more upgrade options.

Sounds like a bunch of cheap aftermarket sensors instead of factory. I'm not hearing anything about strokers in your story that wouldn't apply to a low quality 4.0l rebuild. Just shoddy machining and crappy parts.

 

[MikeE024]

Had to upgrade cooling, uphills it consistently gets 235+ in the radiator temps.

Are you running a Mopar radiator?