2005 LJ. I'm looking for more power from my 4.0L on pavement. I'm interested in swapping a stroker in, but am not sure if there's enough power/torque improvement to make it worth the cost and effort. Any experience with this? I see there are 2 or three different strokers out there. Any favorites?
Stroker Upgrade
- Thread starter rexcsmith
- Start date
So first question is what is your setup, and what is your expectation?
If you're running 33s with 3.07 gears, there is your first problem. If you're expecting hot rod power, there's your second problem.
I'm pretty sure @Rickyd and @SkylinesSuck have strokers and opinions.
I think that would be the best possible use case for a stroker. Properly geared, crawls fine, not expecting race car. Just more power to move the rig down the road and keep up with traffic. I have 33s and 4.10s and I would consider my TJ downright spunky. No problem going up and down hills with the cruise on at 80mph without downshifting (5 speed). I even pick on unsuspecting Honduhs at stoplights.
I built my own with parts supplied from Russ Pottenger.
I will say the cost/benefit vs swapping in a Magnum V8 for example is questionable. But if you are already planning on rebuilding a 4.0, it's a no brainer IMHO.
I will say the cost/benefit vs swapping in a Magnum V8 for example is questionable. But if you are already planning on rebuilding a 4.0, it's a no brainer IMHO.
Since you said that, do you have any real idea the cost difference between rebuilding stock vs what you did?
The ones who don't know yall are racing?
Nope. The ones who get all butt hurt when they lose to a Jeep. It's quicker than you think
If you aim to keep it reasonable, you are looking at a new crank ($100-$600 depending on if you can find a used 4.2 crank), custom pistons ($500), and a few supporting mods like bigger fuel injectors. Other than that, it's all stuff you are going to have to do with a stock 4.0 anyways. So say ballpark an extra $1k'ish?
Do you have emissions testing in your area? Stroker is the cheapest way to make power and get around that. V8 swap will cost a lot more but have better power and mileage. Are you wanting to just buy a longblock? @Woodrow has a golen.he could speak on a drop in.
What i or @SkylinesSuck did isn't representative of most strokers. If you do just crank,rods and pistons with 24lb injectors you can build them for a couple hundred dollars more than a stock rebuild. When you start throwing around words like "forged,arp,edelbrock,custom ground,roller" you can easily double that number. None of that is necessary for a good bump in power from 40 cubes by itself.
I went with a 4.6 stroker from Golen and have been very happy for several years!
I've read good things about Golen's stokers, but I couldn't justify what he's charging now days.
For pavement power, I'd consider getting a stroker if my engine needed rebuilt (Russ Pottenger parts and a good local builder if you don't rebuilt it yourself).
If my engine was running just fine I'd consider getting an intercooled turbo setup.
Last I read, Golen claimed the stock PCM works fine for his 4.6L, but I'd imagine a proper tune would improve things.
ECU works fine with the 4.6. Header suggested and 62.mm throttle body and wait for it.....cold air intake! Also you can add a tune, I did! It comes with the 24lb. injectors and all the good stuff in the long block! Call Chad ( Golen) and inquire, he's a great guy and will answer any questions one might have!
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