What all should I do before adding a supercharger or turbo?
- Thread starter Torqythewrangler
- Start date
Hooooooo boy. This could get messy.
Lets start with some basic questions:
Also. please fill in your profile as much as you can. It helps us all.
Lets start with some basic questions:
- How much power do you want to make?
- What is your budget?
- What does your jeep have for axels?
- What transmission do you have?
- What experience do you have with tuning / mechanical wrenching? (Just asking, not shaming)
- What is your end goal? (daily driver, trail rig, bit of both)
Also. please fill in your profile as much as you can. It helps us all.
CreepinDeth
TJ Enthusiast
Figure out your budget and your abilities.
I haven't even looked into the compression of the 4.0L yet to see what's feasible.
I'm a big turbo advocate. Better overall , but that gets highly subjective.
Superchargers are simpler to pay for & install, but turbo's are better, but the piping welding is what costs
IF you're on a tight budget
I haven't even looked into the compression of the 4.0L yet to see what's feasible.
I'm a big turbo advocate. Better overall , but that gets highly subjective.
Superchargers are simpler to pay for & install, but turbo's are better, but the piping welding is what costs
IF you're on a tight budget
Install proper gearing for your engine/transmission and tire size.
Exactly why do you believe you need a supercharger or turbo charger? Is it simply from a lack of power that keeps you downshifting or unable to keep up with traffic? If so your axles may simply not have the right ratio gears installed for your tire size, transmission type, and engine size. Your Profile has no information in it about your Jeep so 1) what model year TJ do you have, 2) What size tires are you running? 3) What transmission do you have, automatic or manual transmission? And 4) do you have the four or six cylinder engine?
Then tell us what your axle gear ratio tag says, it is bolted onto the differential cover at its 9 o'clock position like this one indicating the ratio is 3.73. What does yours say in addition to the four questions above? And if you leave any of the four answers we won't be able to make a ratio recommendation to regear your axles to. If the ratio proves to be the cause of your lack of ratio it'll be an easy thing to take care of and a lot less $$$ than installing a turbocharger or supercharger.
consider a V8 engine swap
an LS
we're always here to help you spend your money
bbaldwin237
TJ Enthusiast
I’m a fan of the turbo.
Some items to confirm before installation:
- engine cooling system works properly
- no vacuum leaks
- no exhaust leaks
- transmission shifts well and doesn't overheat
- gearing for your tire size is correct
- engine compression numbers look good
- steering and suspension are in good shape
- motor and trans mounts are good
- switch to a 2.5” post-cat exhaust (mine is 3” but that’s not necessary).
I've got a roots blower on my TJ. If you're just looking for performance, my ranking of suggestions would be as follows:
Proper gearing.
Stroker.
Stick with NA and learn to appreciate the simplicity.
Centrifugal SC like a ProCharger, with an intercooler.
Turbo with intercooler.
Roots/screw/etc supercharger with an aftercooler.
Roots/screw/etc supercharger with meth injection. (where I am)
In other words, if you're forcing air in, do it in a way that allows you to run a good intercooler.
I would also recommend tuning the PCM directly with the proper injectors and map sensor, vs dicking around with a piggyback. HPTuners work well with your factory PCM. Of course you ask what to do before boosting... well don't forget all the supporting parts. The tuner, wide band o2 and guage, boost gauge, 2bar map sensor or better, bigger injectors, colder plugs, etc. If you're going more than 7psi or so you've got a whole additional set of concerns, like head gasket and studs, etc.
Engine swaps are done a lot, I haven't done one, I don't know what the issues you run into along the way are. Adapters are available. My guess would be getting the gauges to all work nicely might be difficult depending on the motor.
I have an SRT10 Ram that I'm currently fighting over the title with the state of MN, so it's just parked behind my garage collecting dust. I have eyeballed the size of that 8.3 v10 many times...
They actually fit in there pretty nice
Proper gearing.
Stroker.
Stick with NA and learn to appreciate the simplicity.
Centrifugal SC like a ProCharger, with an intercooler.
Turbo with intercooler.
Roots/screw/etc supercharger with an aftercooler.
Roots/screw/etc supercharger with meth injection. (where I am)
In other words, if you're forcing air in, do it in a way that allows you to run a good intercooler.
I would also recommend tuning the PCM directly with the proper injectors and map sensor, vs dicking around with a piggyback. HPTuners work well with your factory PCM. Of course you ask what to do before boosting... well don't forget all the supporting parts. The tuner, wide band o2 and guage, boost gauge, 2bar map sensor or better, bigger injectors, colder plugs, etc. If you're going more than 7psi or so you've got a whole additional set of concerns, like head gasket and studs, etc.
Engine swaps are done a lot, I haven't done one, I don't know what the issues you run into along the way are. Adapters are available. My guess would be getting the gauges to all work nicely might be difficult depending on the motor.
I have an SRT10 Ram that I'm currently fighting over the title with the state of MN, so it's just parked behind my garage collecting dust. I have eyeballed the size of that 8.3 v10 many times...
They actually fit in there pretty nice
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Longhorn84
TJ Enthusiast
I traced the CEL in the Jeep ECM and connected it to the CEL wire on the LS ECM. That way I technically have a functional light for my engine.
Longhorn84
TJ Enthusiast
What year is your jeep? I have an 04 and I thought the CEL was integrated into the dash electronics vs having a dedicated wire and light, did you have an earlier model?