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I know guys that have been using the same vortec blower fit 10 years with only a few rebuilds.

Sent with Autoguide while watching chicks get naked.
 
I "think" you can but only with the hemi swap

Sent with Autoguide while watching chicks get naked.
 
Oh ok. .glad to see I was wrong

Sent with Autoguide while watching chicks get naked.
 
I just went to turnkeyjeep.com, and they charge an EXTRA $1000 for you to keep YOUR old engine and trans. WTF?

Believe me, i would put a GM v8 in my jk long befor a supercharger, but i sure as hell am not paying somebody $1000 to retain something i already own.
 
So, to summarize this thread:

A RIPP stage 2 costs $5300 and takes a "weekend mechanic" about 7-8 hours to install. A professional mechanic could do it in about 5-6 hours--$500-$600 labor.

The RIPPd 3.8L produces approximately 90% of the horsepower and torque of a 5.7 Hemi and weighs less. So, actual performance net of the weight differential is fairly close.

For those who want extra power from the RIPP, they can run a high altitude pulley--or order it with the smaller pulley at time of purchase. They can also run a more aggressive tune.

For those who want more power, they can do exhaust modifications--either relatively inexpensive short tube headers or $1600 long tube headers, plus a different muffler.

If the owner does not do good maintenance on the Vortec blower, and the bearings or seals need refreshed, they can send it to Vortec to fix at a relatively nominal cost.

When, the owner decides to sell their JK, they can pull off the RIPP and sell it used and recoup 2/3 of the cost of new.

So, basic net cost is $5300 for the self installer, and $3500 is recouped when the jeep is sold.

Net cost of running the RIPP is about $1800 for the self installer who buys new and sells used.

Add about $1000-$1200 for the person who pays labor for the install and uninstall. So, $2800-$3000 total net cost for the person who pays labor.


The downsides to the RIPP:

It doesn't get rid of the 42RLE automatic transmission.

The JK cruise control does not react fast enough to changes in speed/power. So, at freeway speeds, in windy conditions, the owner experiences a slight surging feeling when the cruise control is active.

If you offroad or go with larger tires, you need to regear your axles (costs about $1000-$1500 parts and labor to regear a pair of JK axles).



Installing an LS or Hemi:

Install kit is about $5,000-$6,000.

Used engine and tranny in good condition might run $5000-$6000.

Crate engine and tranny is $13,000-$16,000.

Install time is 40-50 hours--$5000 if professionally installed.

Driveshafts? Depends.

You can sell your stock 3.8L and tranny for about $2000 to offset the cost.

Total initial net cost for a DIYer capable of the install: $8,000-$10,000 with a used engine and tranny, or $16,000-$20,000 for a crate engine and tranny.

When the JK is sold used in the future, the V8 will probably increase the value of the jeep by about $3,000 to $4,000 for a 5.3L, more for an LS3.

Total net cost for the DIYer when jeep is sold: about $5,000 to $15,000+ (compared to $1,800 for the DIY RIPP owner).

Add $5000 in labor to the above costs for the non-DIYer. So, $21,000-$25,000 net cost for a crate engine and tranny, or net cost $13,000-$15,000 for a used engine and tranny. Net total cost when the jeep is sold in the future, $10,000+.


Other advantages of the V8:

More power, no need for premium fuel with a tune that isn't aggressive, sounds awesome, LS engines have great longevity, sounds great, unique. An LS will get similar fuel economy to a RIPPd 3.8L.

Jeeps that don't rock crawl or run larger than 35" tires may be able to get away without spending $1000-$1500 to regear axles.

No more 42RLE transmission.



Summary

In the end, how many people who are in the market to spend $5300 vs. the cost of the V8 conversion up front?

How many people are fine with an $1800 net cost when they sell their jeep vs. the net cost of the V8 when they sell their jeep?

Obviously, there are many who have the money and/or skills and time to do the V8, but the market isn't as big.
 
The JK cruise control does not react fast enough to changes in speed/power. So, at freeway speeds, in windy conditions, the owner experiences a slight surging feeling when the cruise control is active.
FYI: RPMExtreme can fine tune the RIPP SC tune to "virtually" eliminate the cruise control surge issue. Just ask RockyClymer, he has the RPMExtreme tune.
 
Planman,
I get the impression that you think because a supercharged V6 has 90% of the horsepower of a V8, that it must have 90% of the "performance" that a V8 has. I've owned a supercharged V6 before. Have you owned a JK with a V8? I'm just wondering, because as far as I'm concerned the performance of a V8 is far better than a supercharged V6. A supercharged V6 feels like a fast V6. A V8 is totally different, and in a whole other league. At least my 6.4 feels that way to me. It takes "performance" to a new level.

Robbie started this thread with a comment about an advertisement for a supercharger that said it was nearly the same as a V8, and stated that he thought that was a bit of a stretch. I agree with Robbie on this one.
 
Planman,
I get the impression that you think because a supercharged V6 has 90% of the horsepower of a V8, that it must have 90% of the "performance" that a V8 has. I've owned a supercharged V6 before. Have you owned a JK with a V8? I'm just wondering, because as far as I'm concerned the performance of a V8 is far better than a supercharged V6. A supercharged V6 feels like a fast V6. A V8 is totally different, and in a whole other league. At least my 6.4 feels that way to me. It takes "performance" to a new level.

Robbie started this thread with a comment about an advertisement for a supercharger that said it was nearly the same as a V8, and stated that he thought that was a bit of a stretch. I agree with Robbie on this one.
I agree. The torque and horsepower curves on a V8 are very different than a supercharged V6.

And, the net cost is correspondingly different.

With the right differential gearing, fuel economy, 0-60 times, etc., the supercharged 3.8L performs similarly to a 5.7L Hemi or a 5.3L.

I've owned 2 5.3L GMC 1/2 ton trucks and a 5.7L 04 GTO. My present truck is a 6.7L Cummins 12 Ram 3500 Laramie that has been deleted and runs a MiniMaxx Wild tune. V8s and big I6s are awesome.

It's all about budget and priorities. Are the torque and horsepower curve differences worth 3-5x more in cost?

I would love an LS3 swap. However, I could buy this for the cost of doing an LS3 upgrade in one of our JKs:

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=26497149&cat=402&lpid=3&search=&ad_cid=8

Image

Image

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Reading this thread it's like the RIPP is the iphone. No matter what you say is the best.

RIPP is a great product. I almost bought one until my wife said wait a year and we'll get the ls. The price of RIPP w/intercooler is nearly half the cost of the swapp. Factor in the sale of your old powertrain.. it gets very attractive and affordable. There are low mileage ls engine/transmissions all over Dallas for $2500.

No brainer for me.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 3
 
Reading this thread it's like the RIPP is the iphone. No matter what you say is the best.

RIPP is a great product. I almost bought one until my wife said wait a year and we'll get the ls. The price of RIPP w/intercooler is nearly half the cost of the swapp. Factor in the sale of your old powertrain.. it gets very attractive and affordable. There are low mileage ls engine/transmissions all over Dallas for $2500.

No brainer for me.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 3
If you can do the install without paying $5000 for labor, you can find a solid LS and tranny for $2500, you can sell your takeout for $2000, and buy the install kit for $5000, that would be a no brainer.




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