[wranglerblackout08]

I remember when the Motech kit first came out it was like $3,800. Unfortunately it appears that the price of their kit will keep going up.

I've found a couple(10+) low mileage 2013 5.3L and trans for around $4,000. I'm sure you can find them even cheaper if you look hard enough.

 

[dwn134]

cant just compare horsepower to horsepower, compare power band. How high do you have to rev that supercharger to get the passing power you need? My LS has all the power I need even at 900 rpms. It has all the power I need throughout the driving experience. Normal driving it shifts before 1500 every gear and at a nice cruise at 45 im siting at 900 rpms and doesn't have to downshift to catch up at all or pass.
as far as my engine I picked one up off ebay for 1200 from a 2010 with 83k miles and a local trans from a 2010 Silverado with 52k for 800. So 2k is doable if you keep your eyes open.
to be safe I did tear down the entire engine and rebuilt and cost me about 600 but that was my call and wasn't needed.

 

[MOPWR2U]

cant just compare horsepower to horsepower, compare power band.

I agree, a closer comparison would be to compare dyno graph to dyno graph. I'm not a math expert, but I would think the area under the curve would be more representative of seat of the pants "performance" than the peak HP is.

A supercharged 3.8 may have 90% of the peak HP of a V8, but it feels like it has about 50% of the "performance" of a V8, at least by my seat of the pants dynomometer.

 

[MoTech]

I remember when the Motech kit first came out it was like $3,800. Unfortunately it appears that the price of their kit will keep going up.

I've found a couple(10+) low mileage 2013 5.3L and trans for around $4,000. I'm sure you can find them even cheaper if you look hard enough.

Like most complex products there was a bell shaped curve producing this kit. Designing an install kit for the LS is more complex than a supercharger or Hemi. I have been doing engine swaps for thirty years, I am a licensed emission inspector and diagnostic technition by the state and our company has more ASE Masters than you can shake a stick at. Our initial installer kit was pretty bare bones. It came with mounts, harness and most of the items required to get the LS in and running. Today's kit has evolved quite a bit, air conditioning, cruise control and many other functions have been improved. Integration has been simplified and redundancy has been eliminated.

After many years and a lot of kits we have learned a lot. We are now on the backside of the bell shaped curve. We are making our kit easier to install with fewer parts. At the same time functionality has improved through the use of smart electronics. These electronics are costly to develop and trickle down to the consomer. Keep in mind one of our goals was to keep the LS powertrain independent from the Chrysler can bus for reliability. At the same time we wanted to maintain full functionality of the JK systems.

Our new integrated electronic module eliminates much of the redundant hardware. Our new wiring harness has been improved and is more plug-n-play than before. Installation has been simplified and we are working towards a single LS/ Chrysler harness that will be virtually all plug and play.

Our goal is to get the install as simple as possible. We have no plans to raise the price of the kit. Through the use of electronics we hope to simplyfy the kit and reduce the labor hours to install which will allow the do it yourself or the professional installer to do the swap in less time at a lower cost. We must be realistic though, the kit includes high quality components including a wiring harness with all Delphi connectors, powder-coated brackets, accessory drive with belt, coolant bottle, computers, programming, and many many other components that simply make up the cost of the kit.

The JK with a lightweight, efficient V8 is a dream to drive. At this point in time I firmly believe the GM powertrain is the best choice for the JK. They are affordable, available, powerful, reliable and will run for many many years trouble free. No need to service the blower, just change the oil like it is a work truck. It is and has been my goal for many years to bring the LS swap to a price point that most of us can afford it. I do not feel having to spend $25k or more on a V8 swap is within reach for most of us. We are getting there. What we have in the works right now is not so much to improve functionality but to reduce cost and install time of our kits.

The V8 swap will never be as cost efficient as the supercharger, but I believe the performance gains of the V8 far surpass any power adder you can put on the V6. For those of you who like your JK's and intend to keep them in the long term and demand no compromise performance I believe the V8 is the solution. Many of my customers start with a SC then step up to a V8 so they pay twice. I suggest you drive before you buy. Forums are a great source of information but cannot convey the feeling of being there.




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[planman]

cant just compare horsepower to horsepower, compare power band. How high do you have to rev that supercharger to get the passing power you need? My LS has all the power I need even at 900 rpms. It has all the power I need throughout the driving experience. Normal driving it shifts before 1500 every gear and at a nice cruise at 45 im siting at 900 rpms and doesn't have to downshift to catch up at all or pass.
as far as my engine I picked one up off ebay for 1200 from a 2010 with 83k miles and a local trans from a 2010 Silverado with 52k for 800. So 2k is doable if you keep your eyes open.
to be safe I did tear down the entire engine and rebuilt and cost me about 600 but that was my call and wasn't needed.

People with your skills aren't the target market for superchargers.

I don't have the same skills as you do.

My 2 dr Rubi 6 speed on 60s with 5.38s and 40s has an fantastic crawl ratio and turns plenty rpm for RIPP to make a difference on a sand hill or passing on the highway.

When I sell my 2 dr, I'll sell the RIPP used for $3500 for a net operating cost of $1800.

If I had the same skills as you do, I'd do the LS on my wife's 4 dr, not because not happy with the RIPP, but to get rid of the 42RLE automatic tranny.


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[MoTech]

Couple more things. Good iron 5.3's widt 6l80's can be had from 2009 and newer trucks for $2,000 to $2,500 dollars. They are excellent engines and should not be overlooked. They run on regular gas are very reliable and will run for many many years.

California swaps require a little different approach. We use California CARB certified calibrations. The intake and exhaust systems must meet California regulations. The air intake set up alone runs $400 to $500, it has an EO number associated with it making it legal in California. The exhaust requires California converters and all the other emissions related items associated with that donor vehicle. If your JK is not a California certified JK then it must meet Federal standards.

There is also some additional work to allow all of the monitors to run and complete. With our swap we support all the emissions equipment. That includes a fuel tank pressure sensor, evaperator vent solenoid plus the OE calibration so the fuel system can run in a closed loop condition.

Part of the price of a California swap is for Kolby to take the vehicle to the BAR and have it inspected. This inspection includes an enhanced OBD II test, three gas tailpipe test including NOx testing which requires a Dyno run. Functional testing is also done like the gas cap and converters. This test along with completing all the monitors takes a full day for the guys at LS turnkey.



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[Nucleophile]

People with your skills aren't the target market for superchargers.

I don't have the same skills as you do.

My 2 dr Rubi 6 speed on 60s with 5.38s and 40s has an fantastic crawl ratio and turns plenty rpm for RIPP to make a difference on a sand hill or passing on the highway.

When I sell my 2 dr, I'll sell the RIPP used for $3500 for a net operating cost of $1800.

If I had the same skills as you do, I'd do the LS on my wife's 4 dr, not because not happy with the RIPP, but to get rid of the 42RLE automatic tranny.


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You don't need his skill level. If you buy a good engine, no need to crack it open. (Best not to, otherwise one thing leads to another!) I did a hemi conversion in my previous JK. Picked up a good, low mileage used 5.7 and trans. ($3000) The hardest part of the process was the welding. The rest was nuts and bolts and wiring. Its really pretty darn simple. Basic hand tools, welding (which I had a friend do) and a motor hoist. Nothing complex about it. Figuring out how some of the electrical connectors come apart was about the most challenging thing! People think a V8 has to be done by a professional...........I am far from it and I had no problems. Fired right up, drove it for 30,000 absolutely trouble free, enjoyable miles. Then sold it and bought a 2013. Missing the V8 big time!!

 

[planman]

You don't need his skill level. If you buy a good engine, no need to crack it open. (Best not to, otherwise one thing leads to another!) I did a hemi conversion in my previous JK. Picked up a good, low mileage used 5.7 and trans. ($3000) The hardest part of the process was the welding. The rest was nuts and bolts and wiring. Its really pretty darn simple. Basic hand tools, welding (which I had a friend do) and a motor hoist. Nothing complex about it. Figuring out how some of the electrical connectors come apart was about the most challenging thing! People think a V8 has to be done by a professional...........I am far from it and I had no problems. Fired right up, drove it for 30,000 absolutely trouble free, enjoyable miles. Then sold it and bought a 2013. Missing the V8 big time!!

Knowing what you know now, would you still have done the AEV kit with the Hemi, or would you have done an LS with Robbie's kit?


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[dwn134]

You don't need his skill level. If you buy a good engine, no need to crack it open. (Best not to, otherwise one thing leads to another!) I did a hemi conversion in my previous JK. Picked up a good, low mileage used 5.7 and trans. ($3000) The hardest part of the process was the welding. The rest was nuts and bolts and wiring. Its really pretty darn simple. Basic hand tools, welding (which I had a friend do) and a motor hoist. Nothing complex about it. Figuring out how some of the electrical connectors come apart was about the most challenging thing! People think a V8 has to be done by a professional...........I am far from it and I had no problems. Fired right up, drove it for 30,000 absolutely trouble free, enjoyable miles. Then sold it and bought a 2013. Missing the V8 big time!!

when you sold it how much extra do you think you got for the conversion than if it was stock, I fit was to an individual im sure it would be much higher than the dealer. Dealer might even subtract money for not being stock

 

[planman]

when you sold it how much extra do you think you got for the conversion than if it was stock, I fit was to an individual im sure it would be much higher than the dealer. Dealer might even subtract money for not being stock

He was asking $34k.

http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1399215#post1399215


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[SSrubi07]

I'd like to see if a ripp'd 07 would run over 30k miles and still sell it over 30 grand .


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[planman]

I'd like to see if a ripp'd 07 would run over 30k miles and still sell it over 30 grand .


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If you look at his for sale thread and all the other mods he had, he probably asked about $5-$8k more than he would have with a stock engine.

If he bought the engine and tranny for $3k, the install kit for $6k, paid his buddy in beer and pizza to help with the install, and sold his stock engine and tranny for $2k, he made out well on that upgrade if he got $34k for the jeep.

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[Nucleophile]

Knowing what you know now, would you still have done the AEV kit with the Hemi, or would you have done an LS with Robbie's kit?

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I have restored a number of older corvettes. Nothing like a Chevy motor. (Don't ask me what my current hot rod is......I would have to eat those words!) I would have and might still do an LS swap with Robbie's kit. I have chatted with Robbie on the phone. Truly an impressive guy. I have 100% confidence in what he does.

when you sold it how much extra do you think you got for the conversion than if it was stock, I fit was to an individual im sure it would be much higher than the dealer. Dealer might even subtract money for not being stock

The dealer threw a couple thousand on top of blue book. I have no regrets. I think I sold it at a fair price. $8k over what that the dealer offered me. The hemi definetly added value. The documentation I had on the motor and trans helped too. It was not a "mystery motor". I had all the maintenance records back to new.

If you look at his for sale thread and all the other mods he had, he probably asked about $5-$8k more than he would have with a stock engine.

If he bought the engine and tranny for $3k, the install kit for $6k, paid his buddy in beer and pizza to help with the install, and sold his stock engine and tranny for $2k, he made out well on that upgrade if he got $34k for the jeep.

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Mostly true, except I didn't get nearly that for the stock motor and trans. I took the first offer, not knowing what other offers would come. As Robbie has said about the 3.6, all the 3.8s were still under warranty at the time I yanked mine. (POS that it was!)

I bought the Jeep used during the depth of the recession. Some guy's dog had trashed the interior. Having restored vette interiors, I knew how to fix that. I replaced the dash, door skins, etc. It was easier than I expected.

 

[guarnibl]

I own a RIPP supercharged '09 2 door on 38's and 5.38's. There's no doubt it increases the horsepower and torque numbers. However, I really have to hammer on mine for it to feel stout -- I prefer not to have to do that, and it's why I'm moving to an LS motor next. I've driven Jeeps powered by the 5.7, 6.4, LS3, and both the RIPP on manual (mine) and RIPP on auto (friends). So I have quite a bit of experience with both vehicle setups. At the end of the day, it's just easier/smoother power from the V8. But as Rock Krawler said, you have to pay to play. I still think I would choose the RIPP though if money was a concern whatsoever. I don't need the smooth power of the V8. RIPP's kit delivers power levels that are more than acceptable as long as you are willing to give it the gas that it needs. Also fuel economy is total dog shit on the Hemi from my experience driving it. I can't believe people actually still put Hemi's in their Jeeps if they're going to do a V8.

Current plan is to move to an LS7 (primarily for dry sump which will benefit me in Moab).... probably will adapt the Vortech to it. Wheelies to follow?

 

[wranglerblackout08]

Rumor has it that Fiat is working on a direct injection version of the 3.6L and also working on mating a 8 speed auto to the 3.6L. Would probably be a healthy bump into hp/tq(20hp/20tq??) but imo the trans is the missing link in waking up the JK.

Obviously still not comparable to a V8, but none the less it's an improvement.

 

[Nucleophile]

Also fuel economy is total dog shit on the Hemi from my experience driving it. I can't believe people actually still put Hemi's in their Jeeps if they're going to do a V8.

Current plan is to move to an LS7 (primarily for dry sump which will benefit me in Moab).... probably will adapt the Vortech to it. Wheelies to follow?

I drove a hemi for 3 years. I had about 1,000 people ask me what the gas mileage was. Gas mileage??? I have no clue - its a freaking hemi!!! Who gives a shit about gas mileage! (Just to be clear - I knew it sucked.)

I know people put blowers on LS7s but that motor was not designed for forced induction. It may hold up, it may not. Besides, does it really need it?? I think an LS7 JK would be about damn perfect! (No offense Bluewave!!)

Rumor has it that Fiat is working on a direct injection version of the 3.6L and also working on mating a 8 speed auto to the 3.6L. Would probably be a healthy bump into hp/tq(20hp/20tq??) but imo the trans is the missing link in waking up the JK.

Obviously still not comparable to a V8, but none the less it's an improvement.

I like my 3.6 around town. I hate it in the mountains!! Downshifting to second gear to go up a pass?? Seriously!?!? And then the temps rise like nuts on top of it. (Something my hemi never did!) The 3.6 needs help. DI and more gears would be a step in the right direction. Don't they have it mated to an 8 or 9 speed in other vehicles??

 

[Lotus03]

Funny..for a couple years I was always thinking AEV sawp. Now LS pops up and have to consider and evaluate that. Very lately been thinking RIPP but the LS replacement is a new and surprising development. I would definitely want to see some longterm results and analysis on the LS.

 

[Nucleophile]

Funny..for a couple years I was always thinking AEV sawp. Now LS pops up and have to consider and evaluate that. Very lately been thinking RIPP but the LS replacement is a new and surprising development. I would definitely want to see some longterm results and analysis on the LS.

My hemi was a hoot to drive, wayyyyyy better than the 3.8. That said, the 545rfe trans is adequate AT BEST. The chrysler 5.7 does not wake up until 3500 rpm. Its not the best motor on the planet by any means. A 6.4 is badass ( I have driven a couple) but you are still stuck with the 545. (in today's world of 8 and 9 speed automatics, its a dinosaur!)

I think the LS is the only way I would go if I go V8 again. I hope AEV is working on a blower for the 3.6. I might give that a try, depending on the reviews. If that doesn't pan out, I will probably yank this 3.6 at some point in time. And it will be for an LS. One of the newer DI LS's would be bitchin'.

 

[MoTech]

Were hoping to do our first CVVT-DI Gen V LS soon. I'm told the base Vette engine is about 440 hp and gets close to 30 mpg. 7, 8 and 9 speed transmissions work better in small displacement engines or diesels with narrow power bands. With the broad power band of a V8 any more than 6 speeds can be annoying. Chrysler was having some software issues with the 8speed transmissions, they never seem to get it as good as GM.

We just finished up another 430 hp LS3 JKR. The vehicle had a 3.8 SC, now it has an all aluminum Camaro 6.2 with about 450 ft lbs of torque and weighs the same, if not less, than the SC 3.8. It's hard to describe how good it runs with the 6 speed auto; makes that heavy Rubicon feel like a sports car. I try and post a video next week.

 

[bnb2010]

Couple more things. Good iron 5.3's widt 6l80's can be had from 2009 and newer trucks for $2,000 to $2,500 dollars. They are excellent engines and should not be overlooked. They run on regular gas are very reliable and will run for many many years.

California swaps require a little different approach. We use California CARB certified calibrations. The intake and exhaust systems must meet California regulations. The air intake set up alone runs $400 to $500, it has an EO number associated with it making it legal in California. The exhaust requires California converters and all the other emissions related items associated with that donor vehicle. If your JK is not a California certified JK then it must meet Federal standards.

There is also some additional work to allow all of the monitors to run and complete. With our swap we support all the emissions equipment. That includes a fuel tank pressure sensor, evaperator vent solenoid plus the OE calibration so the fuel system can run in a closed loop condition.

Part of the price of a California swap is for Kolby to take the vehicle to the BAR and have it inspected. This inspection includes an enhanced OBD II test, three gas tailpipe test including NOx testing which requires a Dyno run. Functional testing is also done like the gas cap and converters. This test along with completing all the monitors takes a full day for the guys at LS turnkey.



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I see that you are really pushing the 6L80 tranny with the 5.3L or higher. What would be the difference if a 4L60 or 80 was used. I know in my last GMC it had the LQ9 and I am assuming the 4L60e and it ran great with ok gas mileage. I've even contemplated finding that set up and putting in the jeep. anyway just curious as this is a viable option I am looking at.

What does shipping run per mile now, cuz I would have to ship the jeep to you and would fly out to pick it up. It would be just too tempting not to drive it back