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Supercharger vs V8

89K views 170 replies 58 participants last post by  JK07  
#1 ·
"Contemplating a V8?Why spend weeks pulling the frame off your new chassis to put in an old motor
Why spend up to $25000.00 to have a shop supply parts and labor
Why worry about emission laws and custom exhaust
Why spend more at the pump, with our kits you can still use 89 octane
Why add 500 pounds to your Jeep
5.7L HEMI’s only make 270whp & 280ft/lbs of torque"


All right guys I got a chuckle out of this and think it's going a little too far.

Point 1: You don't have to pull the body to do a V8 swap. BOR and many of our customers don't pull the body; however, it does make for an easier swap and gives you the opportunity to clean up the chassis. With a V8 there is no cutting the fenderwells, core support, patched tunes, etc. With our V8 there is no relocating the steering shaft, battery tray, spring spacers etc. When we remove a SC we end up restoring the JK back to stock, our V8 swap is clean and the only fab work is the frame mounts.

Point 2: Our LS swaps start in the high $13's turnkey. To be fair most Hemi swaps are less than $25k.

Point 3: Properly done V8 swaps are legal, even in California.

Point 4: Our 4.8 and 5.3 swaps can run on 85 octane, practically any low grade gas you can find. With Gen IV OS's dual KS's, dual spark tables, scalers and modifiers a V8 can run hundreds of thousands of miles on low grade gas.

Point 5: 500 pounds? Really? I'll even defend the Hemi here:) The Hemi adds a couple hundred pounds and the suspension and handling are affected. An all aluminum LS weighs LESS than a SC V6 and there is no intercooler to block the airflow or whine to scare away Bambi.

Point 6: Drive a V8, any V8, then a SC 3.8, it is a very different experience. Numbers are numbers and we are removing SC's from JK's as I write this to put in 5.3 and 6.0's. Most V8's are capable of 300+ RWHP with little stress and good durability and reliability. 400, 500, 600 and even more RWHP can be had with a V8.

I feel the SC is a viable low cost option to the V8 and I give credit to those who have developed and marketed them, but let's keep it real. Both the V8 and SC have their advantages, a V8 JK is awesome and a dream to drive but more costly than a SC, in the end a V8 should go hundreds of thousands of miles making it the better ROI vs a V6 with a power adder. Another consideration is a SC 3.8 is still burdened with Chryslers transmissions which drive me nuts on the highway. Watch my recent videos where Mo and I drove to Houston and back in a 5.3 LS JK with 115,000 miles on it. We cruised at 80 mph up hill like being in our living room and got 19 mpg over 3,200 miles. We did 1,000 miles the first day with the 5.3 V8, with the V6 on the same trip we were done at El Paso, about 700 miles, the engine revving, transmission downshifting and not being able to hold the speed limit is stressful. Even with a SC the drama is there. The V8 JK can become a highway cruiser.

So again the SC has it's place but let's be fair to the V8.
 
#4 ·
"Contemplating a V8?Why spend weeks pulling the frame off your new chassis to put in an old motor
Why spend up to $25000.00 to have a shop supply parts and labor
Why worry about emission laws and custom exhaust
Why spend more at the pump, with our kits you can still use 89 octane
Why add 500 pounds to your Jeep
5.7L HEMI’s only make 270whp & 280ft/lbs of torque"
Are these statements coming from a particular SC company?
 
#6 · (Edited)
A Hemi and mated transmission only adds a couple hundred pounds?

An AEV kit runs around $6k and is rated a 40 hour job. What is an average hourly bill rate for a paid install? How much is a crate Hemi engine and 545RFE tranny?

A stage 2 RIPP is a relatively simple DIY weekend job. Fuel economy is better than an Hemi. Actual power adjusted for the weight differential between the two is pretty close to the Hemi. You can pull the RIPP and sell it used for about $3500 when you change rigs. A Hemi is a sunk cost that will never increase the used market value of the rig even 1/2 the cost of the conversion.

I installed stage 2 RIPPs in 2 of our JKs--with the "high altitude" pullies. The 3.8Ls had less than 30k miles each. We have no second thoughts about doing RIPPs instead of Hemi's. We have friends with Hemi's who complain about breaking more drivetrain components than they would have with RIPP'd 3.8Ls.

Now, with that said, doing a used 5.3L and dumping the 42RLE in my wife's JK is very attractive. If the 5.3L meets emissions in required states, I don't know why anyone would chose a Hemi over a 5.3L or 6.0L.

If the 3.8L crapped out in one of our JKs, I'd probably do a 5.3L. In fact, I'd probably keep the Vortec and adapt it to work with a 5.3L.

I would say, Hemi vs RIPP, RIPP wins.

I'd say Hemi vs LS, LS wins.

I'd say LS vs RIPP, it depends in your budget, concern for resale value, and whether you can do the labor yourself

I haven't driven an LS JK, but I've owned two 5.3L GMC 1/2 tons and a 5.7 LSI GTO. So, take my opinions for what they are worth.

A local guy in Montana built an LS3 4 dr Rubi on 40s, long arm, low miles, and he has been trying to sell it for maybe 2 years now for $40k. I don't think he will get much more than $5k more than it would be with a 3.8L. Fun rig, but needs tons to be reliable.


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#25 ·
A local guy in Montana built an LS3 4 dr Rubi on 40s, long arm, low miles, and he has been trying to sell it for maybe 2 years now for $40k. I don't think he will get much more than $5k more than it would be with a 3.8L. Fun rig, but needs tons to be reliable.
PM, could you elaborate a little what needs to be done for it to be reliable? After install it's not good to go as is? Thanks
 
#8 ·
I have a 2010 JK 4 door with a recently removed ripp gen 2 kit, trust me a v8 is the way to go. Obviously the supercharger is cheaper which is what had drawn me in the first time around. Currently my JK is getting a 6.0 swap with a Motech kit. The ripp system made me not enjoy the jeep anymore. For almost 6000 dollars it just wasnt worth it, i barely noticed a increase in power. Believe it or not i enjoyed driving the jeep more when the supercharger was removed.

For anyone considering a supercharger or power upgrade, i would for sure consider a LS swap above any other option.
 
#12 ·
The ripp system made me not enjoy the jeep anymore. For almost 6000 dollars it just wasnt worth it, i barely noticed a increase in power.
What gearing and tire size do you have?

What transmission do you have?

At what elevation do you live, and did you run the higher psi (high altitude pulley)?

My RIPPd 07 2 dr 6 speed on 40s with 5.38s, with the high altitude pulley is a hoot to drive. I have no problems on hill climbs, pulling out into traffic, etc. Fuel economy in town is in the 14s when I drive it more reasonably--good for a rig on tons and 40s.

My wife's RIPPd 08 2dr automatic on 37s with 5.38s with the high altitude pulley also does really well. My only wish is that I could swap the 42RLE automatic tranny to a better, 5 speed automatic transmission. Even with the stupidly geared 42RLE, it gets about 19-20+ mpg at 70 mph.

I live at 3500 ft above sea level on the east side of he Rocky Mountains.




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#10 ·
This winter teh 6.2 with a MoTech kit is going in. Just need MoTech to agree to take cash and send me a receipt showing the whole engine and kit was $2,000 so I can show that to the Wife, so she doesnt know the real cost. :) Searching ebay right now for engines.
 
#14 ·
Another thing to think about is with a SC 3.6L/3.8L is there is no room to add more power... Maybe a little with a different pulley/custom tune.

With the 5.3L/6.2L you can just do a cam swap, cam & heads, custom tune.
 
#16 ·
I think the SC vs V8 swap is apples to oranges.

One is a $5k, simple add on that gives a very nice bump in performance and gives the tired JK motor back it's drivability that it lost with big tires, heavy armor and cages.

The other is a $15k, if you are lucky, complete transformation of your JK from a punk kid to an MMA fighter.


If money was no object, the V8 swap(LS IMO) would be the hands down winner...but for most, money is the absolute reason we go the SC route. Nice performance gain, reasonable cost, super easy DIY.

Shoot, my RIPP came from Robi at MoTech, pulled from a jK getting an LS. If Robi had called me and said, "hey, TC, rather than this RIPP, just ship your junk out here and I'll LS it for the same price" I would have been all freaking over it.

I love my RIPP, especially for the used price I paid, but I would never compare it to a V8.
 
#17 ·


I feel the SC is a viable low cost option


We agree - AND - cost per HP still a better value:

With our system there is no drama - no issue you simply get what you pay for; up to 120 additional WHP AND ADDITIONAL 90-100ft/lbs of torque and 1-4 more MPG from whatever you have stock. There are 3000 kits on the market and the business model is clear. Get near V8 performance for a fraction of the price and time.

Moreover, Our supercharger kits have been on the market for 6 years and many clients have been running them for that long, if not sold their JK's over to the next guy and picked up right where they left off... No drama, no issue. Most importantly you don't hear of many blown drivetrain components running our stuff either.... we think that is both a testament to the 3.8 and our system's integrity, both of which have proved that they are sound investments.

Likewise much respect to you and your staff for doing the work that you do... As motor heads we get it, understand it and decided that boost is our replacement for displacement -

$5000-$6000 and a nominal 5-8HR install time you get this:​
RIPP Superchargers 2012 JK 317HP 280TRQ 37in Tires Auto Pentastar - YouTube

JK RIPP Supercharged 37's AUTO 288lbs/ft Torque 2500rpm.MOV - YouTube


Another thing to think about is with a SC 3.6L/3.8L is there is no room to add more power... Maybe a little with a different pulley/custom tune.

With the 5.3L/6.2L you can just do a cam swap, cam & heads, custom tune.
Thats not true - we are inherently conservative in our approach and therefore have not released any more HP... Clients seem very happy with the safe power we provide along with the additional MPG.


I think the SC vs V8 swap is apples to oranges.

One is a $5k, simple add on that gives a very nice bump in performance and gives the tired JK motor back it's drivability that it lost with big tires, heavy armor and cages.

The other is a $15k, if you are lucky, complete transformation of your JK from a punk kid to an MMA fighter.


If money was no object, the V8 swap(LS IMO) would be the hands down winner...but for most, money is the absolute reason we go the SC route. Nice performance gain, reasonable cost, super easy DIY.

Shoot, my RIPP came from Robi at MoTech, pulled from a jK getting an LS. If Robi had called me and said, "hey, TC, rather than this RIPP, just ship your junk out here and I'll LS it for the same price" I would have been all freaking over it.

I love my RIPP, especially for the used price I paid, but I would never compare it to a V8.
Point taken - thank you - again, we've always been transparent in our marketing.

RIPPTECH
 
#26 ·
Thats not true - we are inherently conservative in our approach and therefore have not released any more HP... Clients seem very happy with the safe power we provide along with the additional MPG
What is your blower system capable of if you are willing to push the 3.8 a little bit harder than your average customer?
 
#20 ·
The High altitude pulley was designed with altitude in mind, where the air is not a dense. We feel that our standard pulley is perfect for the vast majority of our customers. People that are looking to give their Jeep "the power it SHOULD have had". Our 50 state legal for on road use system was designed with reliability as the paramount requirement, not maximum power.

That being said, what gear are you running?

RIPP
 
#24 ·
Doesn't the California motor swap law state that the vehicle must be 8 years or older in-order to preform a swap and be smog legal? I had a friend of mine just have a VVT hemi swap done at JSS and that is what he was told. So his Jeep is a 2010 so he can "legally" smog it in 2018. I'm not positive on this, I figured you guys can clarify.
 
#27 ·
If I could afford the cash to drop on a v8 swap then I prolly wouldn't want a raptor anymore lol. But for me even if I did have the cash out wouldn't be a stock 5.3.... cam, heads and intake would be in and on before I even did the swap. Or maybe Just throw a mast motorsports 454 lsx In it lol.

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#32 ·
I'll throw in my 2 pennies since I own both a 1-ton SRT8 Hemi JKU and a 1-ton Ripp Supercharged 2-door. Both running 42-44" tires at 6,000 to 14,000 feet altitude.

My 2-Door is badass. Maybe you've seen it around. It's full-blown one-ton with the heaviest duty shit all over it and 44" Rockers. It's running the Ripp and has impressed me with it's reliability, power, torque (Search Co4Lo Ripp for dyno vids) and has also impressed/influenced many others on the trail, including Planman. I have plenty of money to put an LS, Cummins, Hemi, Flux Capacitor, whatever in it. BUT I haven't done so because the Jeep makes plenty of power, keeps up on the highway (with tons and 44's), and has proven to be reliable as hell. And the best part is, I'm not really worried about breaking stuff... and it does sound ultra cool with the right exhaust. (scientific secret to get it right though:bawling:).

My 4-Door is also badass. Still undergoing it's 1-Ton transformation, but wheeled Moab with it on D44's and 37's over this past EJS. It was a ******* blast to idle up everything with 500hp. It was also a blast to drive it out over the big mountain passes with the cruise control set and never having to manage the gears. It sounds ******* tits like pure american displacement should. And I absolutely love it. No complaints!

Both options are excellent. I'm extremely satisfied with both Jeeps. But there is no doubt that the Supercharger will cost you less money. Period.

Economically speaking, I think you will more likely get a better return on investment (if selling/trading) with a Supercharger. And if it looks gloom on the return, you can always remove it and sell it separately. So that's something important to consider.

Obviously in my position, I'm not really biased since I own both. But I can sincerely tell you guys, that I plan on running my Ripp until I have a reason not to anymore. And I haven't found one yet. ;)
 
#33 ·
There aren't a lot of Avenger guys chiming in, so here goes:
I can't comment on the Ripp, never seen one. I did find the early Ripp power numbers odd in that there was a tendency to use base numbers from autos with post Ripp numbers from standards, so I gave up on trying to figure out the real increases.
The Avenger does deliver a power curve that is a near parallel of the stock curve, just 45-50% higher numbers, depending on where the dyno is done. Never spun the 37's on dry pavement, but I could live with that.
I had 2 problems with the set up;
1) my egr hose was kinked when it was installed. The odd code but no problems until the higher egr temps burned a small hole which threw random but increasing egr related limp modes. Took a while to track down, but an easy fix. Rerouted with silicone hose. I was SURE it was map or pcv related.

2) the ignition coil is relocated and I had mine too close to a hard corner. Vibration wore a thin spot in a spark plug wire. Very hard to see until far too late. Easy to fix though.
The power was fun, great around town, noticeable improvement doing 'bumps' on trails, but not really needed.
Mine is an auto and that's the real problem. I would probably not have considered the Motech 5.3 swap if the transmission didn't ratchet it's way into gear, overheat and shift almost randomly. A better tranny as part of a huge torque gain?! I'm in.
 
#34 ·
When running the 3.8, with or without a supercharger, regearing is normally required. With an LS and a 6l80e transmission regearing is usually not required, stock gears work fine. This closes the gap on the cost of a supercharger versus a V8 even further.

Most of my customers paid to have their superchargers professionally installed and regeared. Most are running headers and a cat back exhaust system as well as custom tuning. This can add up to close to 10,000 dollars so the gap between a supercharged 3.8 and a V8 is not that much. In addition you should expect at least 200,000 trouble free miles with a v8.



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#38 ·
How much is a turnkey, drop your rig off in Vegas, 5.3L swap with crate engine and tranny?

How much of that is labor?

I love your product, and would say there is a good chance I'll run it if I blow the 3.8L in any of our 3 JKs.

I'd disagree about regearing if the jeep is regularly off roaded running 37s or larger.


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#36 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am currently running the RIPP intercooled supercharger system, RIPP long tube headers with Flowmaster "Hush Power" resonator, OEM muffler, tuned with RIPP's Diablo tuner, 4.10 gears and 315x70x17 Pro Comp MT2s with a 6spd manual transmission (Rubicon JKU). My wife's vehicle is a Nissan Armada which has a 5.6L Hemispherical Combustion V8 (same as a HEMI but not made by Dodge/Chrysler) and puts out a reported 300hp. My assessment of the RIPP is that it has made the Jeep very comparable to the V8 in the Armada with relation to performance power on the road.

The RIPP is very easy to personally install as well. I personally installed everything (buddy helped with a second set of hands for the exhaust) following the color-photo detailed instruction manual that came with the system and took me exactly what the instructions said for the supercharger kit (appx 6 hours) and exhaust system (appx 4 hours). When I was finished installing everything and programmed the Jeep with the Diablo tuner, everything started up working exactly as it was suppose to with no lights on the dash. It has been working perfect after 3 weeks with zero issues.

As a side note, my wife who has refused to drive the jeep in the past due to lack of power needed without constantly downshifting due to all of the Oahu "hilly roads" (and needed to regear) was very surprised today after driving the jeep....she damaged her Armada door and is at the body shop so she didnt have a choice. After she arrived where she had to go, the first thing she did was pick up the phone and call me to tell me she couldn't believe the Jeep performed as strong as her Armada and wasn't worried about driving the hills anymore. (just hoping she isn't going to start stealing the jeep to run errands when I am not looking)! HAHA

I am very happy with the power gains so far, as well as the following fuel mileage increased I have had so far.....I still need to make an off-road trip to have fun with the torque increase, but this is my feedback so far):

Prior to installing the RIPP (13.3mpg):




After installing the RIPP and running a 1/4 tank of gas (15.4mpg):





After running 3/4 tank of gas and filling up (18.3mpg):

 
#37 ·
With you guys running Ripps, how many miles do have on your motors? I am just about at 60K and would love nothing more than to have to extra power of the Ripp, but am hesitant to put a Ripp on a motor with that many miles. I plan to keep my jeep for a long time and just dont know if i should hold out a few years for a ls or just get the Ripp in the next year or two. Thanks
 
#47 · (Edited)
I got my engine and transmission with 18000km on it for $3000 which included any other donor parts I wanted, about $6500 for the kit because I didn't need some stuff included in the kit and saved the labor to do it myself which actually isn't as hard as you might expect. Even with install that would have been $14500 and I have basically a new motor and transmission.

Never driven a supercharger so I can't compare but even in limp mode (no intake or MAP sensor hooked up yet) 4:10's and 35's I feel like I already have more power.

Sean
 
#49 ·
I saw a side by side comparison of the V8 vs SC engine a couple years ago on TV. They stated the numbers of the stock Hemi and the SC 3.8 were really close. Price was not. Install time on the two was totally different. I think it just depends on what you want out if your Jeep. Personally for me when I'm able I will be purchasing a RIPP kit for my 09 Sahara with 4.10's and 6 speed manual. I only want a little more power and better fuel economy. Not totally sure how I will feel about the SC whine but that's just part of a SC, no matter the brand or vehicle.


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#50 ·
Is anyone running a V8 on stock axles?

I don't think I'd have the guts to run a big motor on my D44's and 1310 DS U joints. Their are built but not to the point of handling that kind of power. I guess I could be wrong on this but when I think of a V8 swap, at least for me, I factor in D60's and 1350 driveshafts
 
#59 ·
I am running a Supercharged LQ9 (6.0) on mostly stock D44's with 37" km2's, have not had an issue yet in about 5k miles of highway use, and a few trips to the sand dunes. No rock crawling for me.

*By mostly stock, I mean stock 4:10 gears , stock shafts, upgrades made: inner sleeves, gusset's, HD ball joints and aluminum diff covers.

Issues I had in the past, we're breaking transmission output shaft by burning rubber on road, used a 300m one, and been fine ever since. Still burning those 37's


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