[MoTech]

The Gen III engines cannot support the 6l80 transmission. Our first JK swap was in 2009 and in that year GM started putting the 6l80 in trucks and SUV's across the board. Previously only the high end vehicles like Escalades with 6.2's had them. Trucks with the 6l80 were rated about 2 mpg more than the 4 speeds.

We did a few 4l60/65/70 swaps and they are good transmissions, but the 6l80 is a great transmission. We have since dropped supporting the Gen III engines and 4 speed transmissions. The 6l80 gets the most out of the smaller engines making them perform as well as some larger engines. In a high performance engine like the LS3 the 6l80 can make a 430 hp 6.2 perform like a 470 hp 6.4.

The 6l80 has a 4:1 low first gear and two real overdrives allowing low rpm cruising on the highway but still maintains excellent launch characteristics. The 6l80 is low friction so only a small cooler is required. The 6l80 is a clutch to clutch transmission so shifts can be lightning fast for the track, or the same transmission can be programmed to push around your Grandmother's Cadillac. The 6l80 can easily handle over 800 ft lbs of torque and 5-600 hp is no problem. The 6l80 has many operating modes including a traditional drive gear, sport mode, tap shift mode, hot mode, warm up mode, rpm match shifting and more.

GM Spent millions just on the software for the 6l80 so it is hard to beat. The 6l80 is easily tunable for whatever shift qualities you want. Unlike Chrysler transmissions software to program the 6l80 is abundant.

With the 6l80 your JK drives opposite the Chrysler powertrains. Revs are kept low, very low for mpg and comfort. When you need power and get on it it's not uncommon for a 6l80 to drop 4 gears and allow the LS to scream, its not like any traditional valve bodied transmissions. The 6l80 is a software driven transmission that can be programmed to do whatever you want it to.

I have guy's do the LS swap just to get the 6l80.

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[MoTech]

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

Shipping is dependent on where it's coming from. From Dallas I have seen rates as low as $700, the same distance from a remote town can be $1,100. Contact a shipping broker, if your willing to wait until a truck goes through your town the rate is much better.

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[JK07]

Robbie

A single intergated LS/ Jeep wiring harness would be the best thing sincle slice bread.

It will add a lot of value and will take ALL the guess work out and people will be doing in at Home like Hemi AEV Hemi....

Even if it adds extra cost to for additional wiring harness so be it. The end result is best resuts...

 

[shockwaveaz]

I prefer their current approach.

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[guarnibl]

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!!)

For sure -- but to be honest, I don't want to worry about running out of gas because I'm getting 8 mpg city (which is what I was getting when I drove the last Hemi Jeep I tried). At the end of the day, the 2 door only has a 16 gallon fuel tank, and 90 miles per tank before I'm trying to find another gas station just doesn't cut it. I *purely* want the fuel mileage for driving distance on a single tank without having to worry about using my fuel cans.

Yeah, I wouldn't advise typically supercharging most LS motors with high amounts of boost. However, I'm doing a very low amount of boost on the Vortech (6 psi) - it will be perfectly fine and the gas mileage will still be there as long as I stay out of the pedal.

I'm concerned about the reliability of the new 8/9 speed automatics though. As it stands the current plan is a fully built 6 speed auto.

 

[Nucleophile]

For sure -- but to be honest, I don't want to worry about running out of gas because I'm getting 8 mpg city (which is what I was getting when I drove the last Hemi Jeep I tried). At the end of the day, the 2 door only has a 16 gallon fuel tank, and 90 miles per tank before I'm trying to find another gas station just doesn't cut it. I *purely* want the fuel mileage for driving distance on a single tank without having to worry about using my fuel cans.

Yeah, I wouldn't advise typically supercharging most LS motors with high amounts of boost. However, I'm doing a very low amount of boost on the Vortech (6 psi) - it will be perfectly fine and the gas mileage will still be there as long as I stay out of the pedal.

I'm concerned about the reliability of the new 8/9 speed automatics though. As it stands the current plan is a fully built 6 speed auto.

I know my hemi was not any near 8 MPG city. 14 or 15 average seems about right. I do know this. I did several runs to Moab, and all day trails while in Moab. On the way to Moab, I went as far as other people in 3.6 Jeeps and 3.8 jeeps. I didn't need to fuel up any more often than they did, and we ran them down to fumes on the interstate. On the trails, pretty much the same thing. 10 or 12 hours on the trail and I never worried about gas. I was concerned that the hemi might have been a pig on the trails with gas, but since you are pretty much idling the whole time, it did really well.

I would think there is a lot more aftermarket support for the 6 speed than any of the newer 8 or 9 speeds. A built 6L80 should be damn near bullet proof.

I do take exception to Robbie's comment about big motors don't need more gears. Audi, Mercedes and Ferrari seem to disagree with you Robbie! Don't get me wrong, I have talked to people with your LS and 6L80 conversions and they love that tranny. I am sure it is great. If GM spent millions on software for it, I think Chrysler must have spent $321.19 on software for the 545!! It shifts like that! (There is a shift module you can buy for less than $100 that helps somewhat.)

 

[MoTech]

I know my hemi was not any near 8 MPG city. 14 or 15 average seems about right. I do know this. I did several runs to Moab, and all day trails while in Moab. On the way to Moab, I went as far as other people in 3.6 Jeeps and 3.8 jeeps. I didn't need to fuel up any more often than they did, and we ran them down to fumes on the interstate. On the trails, pretty much the same thing. 10 or 12 hours on the trail and I never worried about gas. I was concerned that the hemi might have been a pig on the trails with gas, but since you are pretty much idling the whole time, it did really well.

I would think there is a lot more aftermarket support for the 6 speed than any of the newer 8 or 9 speeds. A built 6L80 should be damn near bullet proof.

I do take exception to Robbie's comment about big motors don't need more gears. Audi, Mercedes and Ferrari seem to disagree with you Robbie! Don't get me wrong, I have talked to people with your LS and 6L80 conversions and they love that tranny. I am sure it is great. If GM spent millions on software for it, I think Chrysler must have spent $321.19 on software for the 545!! It shifts like that! (There is a shift module you can buy for less than $100 that helps somewhat.)

The comment about gears really refers to the LS powertrain not just the engine. The 6l80 has a 4:1 first gear compared to 42 RLE's 2.8:1, that's a big difference. Add more cubic inches, more firing pulses per revolution, VVT, etc. and you can't think traditionally.

You can run steep gears but your just burning gas. When John Currie got his 5.3 swap he went with 6.0's to handle his 40's, he ended up backing down to 5:38's. Chuck in Colarado drove his JKUR with 5:13's and 37's for a while before gearing down to 4:56's and now he is happier; Chuck runs technical trails too, not just highway.

The JKR I will post a video of is typical of our customers, 37's, 5:38's, supercharged. With a 400+ hp LS and 5:38's smoking the 37's (without water or power breaking) is impressive, but wasteful unless all you do is crawl or tow. The owner already wants to gear down and it has almost become part of the swap to gear down.

Most European cars are bringing the revs down to. My Mercedes with a 7 speed runs under 2,000 rpm at 70 which is what we shoot for. The new Jaguar with the 8 speed runs under 2,000 rpm at 80mph.

Edit: It's funny to go on a LS JK test drive with a guy just out of a V6 JK. Especially with the 6.2 they will hit the gas like they normally do and do an accidental burnout or chirp. They say whow what gears are in this thing? They are surprised to find the gears are stock or taller than theirs.

Edit II: Sorry I just realized your comment was about the number of gears. To that I say Ferrari and other high performance European cars are approaching 200 mph double the JK's usable speed. You will notice the larger displacement HP Mercedes run fewer gears. My Mercedes is a 6 cylinder and has 7 speeds, it borders on annoying. Europe is big on diesels even in light duty vehicles so more gears make sense. The new Range Rover 4.0 quad turbo diesel 8 speed is impressive. European engines traditionally are smaller displacement than ours, even the exotics so more gears work. The ZF 8 speed is popular in Europe and now Chrysler is buying it. I have heard from more than one magazine editor the 8 speed with the V8 is annoying. The transmission is constantly upshifting or downshifting. Combine this with MDS kicking in and out it's no wonder why said magazine editor sold his Hemi RAM 8 speed.

If I get any complaints about the 6l80 it is that it shifts to much. It's mostly from guys stuck on the 4 speed autos. For me more than 6 gears in a V8JK would be too much. With a diesel or Pentstar it would make sense.

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[RIPPMODS]

:shitstorm:

So - on page 6 of this thread we've concluded a very simple thing -

We produce a low cost alternative to a V8 swap, with nearly 3000 very happy clients and few who wish for more - The ones that wish for more are potentially your $25000.00 audience. By our count they have the option of going 6.1/6.4 Hemi, LS and/or Diesel. But the reality is not everyone can throw $20000.00+ into one aspect of their vehicle and in fact can solve that issue with our products. By properly budgeting their $25000.00 they spend the sum total on the entire drivetrain as opposed to just on the engine. An end user can buy axles, suspension, armor and our supercharger for the equivalent of just your parts and labor.

We are in fact NOT an iPhone, we are and have always been the challenger to the iPhone and all its stupendous wonder. The iPhone is indeed the V8 which is stigma for "the best" but in reality there are plenty of good alternatives. In the end we're going to stick producing our system as opposed to arguing with competitors about what they do.

Our position remains the same -

Contemplating a V8? - RIPP asks why?

1. Why spend weeks pulling the frame off your new chassis to put in an old motor
2. Why spend up to $25000.00 to have a shop supply parts and labor
3. Why worry about emission laws and custom exhaust
4. Why spend more at the pump, with our kits you can still use 89 octane and gain some MPG
5. Why add 500 pounds to your Jeep
6. 5.7L HEMI’s only make 270whp & 280ft/lbs of torque

So - you do what you do and we'll do what we do

RIPPTECH

 

[gold knight]

:shitstorm:

So - on page 6 of this thread we've concluded a very simple thing -

We produce a low cost alternative to a V8 swap, with nearly 3000 very happy clients and few who wish for more - The ones that wish for more are potentially your $25000.00 audience. By our count they have the option of going 6.1/6.4 Hemi, LS and/or Diesel. But the reality is not everyone can throw $20000.00+ into one aspect of their vehicle and in fact can solve that issue with our products. By properly budgeting their $25000.00 they spend the sum total on the entire drivetrain as opposed to just on the engine. An end user can buy axles, suspension, armor and our supercharger for the equivalent of just your parts and labor.

We are in fact NOT an iPhone, we are and have always been the challenger to the iPhone and all its stupendous wonder. The iPhone is indeed the V8 which is stigma for "the best" but in reality there are plenty of good alternatives. In the end we're going to stick producing our system as opposed to arguing with competitors about what they do.

Our position remains the same -

Contemplating a V8? - RIPP asks why?

1. Why spend weeks pulling the frame off your new chassis to put in an old motor <slightly used engine and different arguably better transmission>
2. Why spend up to $25000.00 to have a shop supply parts and labor
3. Why worry about emission laws and custom exhaust <there are issues with emissions laws?>
4. Why spend more at the pump, with our kits you can still use 89 octane and gain some MPG <with the 5.3 I would still be able to run 87 or 89 and gain some MPG>
5. Why add 500 pounds to your Jeep
6. 5.7L HEMI’s only make 270whp & 280ft/lbs of torque

So - you do what you do and we'll do what we do

RIPPTECH

I think we've (I have) concluded you both make a great kit for similar purposes. And looking at either one from a DIY perspective the $$$ figures wouldn't be that far separated.

Personally if it weren't for the lifetime powertrain warranty that limits my desire to modify, I would opt for a low mileage 5.3 & 6l80 over a supercharger on my 145k mile "old" 3.8 engine.

 

[mschaffer66]

:shitstorm:

So - on page 6 of this thread we've concluded a very simple thing -

We produce a low cost alternative to a V8 swap, with nearly 3000 very happy clients and few who wish for more - The ones that wish for more are potentially your $25000.00 audience. By our count they have the option of going 6.1/6.4 Hemi, LS and/or Diesel. But the reality is not everyone can throw $20000.00+ into one aspect of their vehicle and in fact can solve that issue with our products. By properly budgeting their $25000.00 they spend the sum total on the entire drivetrain as opposed to just on the engine. An end user can buy axles, suspension, armor and our supercharger for the equivalent of just your parts and labor.

We are in fact NOT an iPhone, we are and have always been the challenger to the iPhone and all its stupendous wonder. The iPhone is indeed the V8 which is stigma for "the best" but in reality there are plenty of good alternatives. In the end we're going to stick producing our system as opposed to arguing with competitors about what they do.

Our position remains the same -

Contemplating a V8? - RIPP asks why?

1. Why spend weeks pulling the frame off your new chassis to put in an old motor
2. Why spend up to $25000.00 to have a shop supply parts and labor
3. Why worry about emission laws and custom exhaust
4. Why spend more at the pump, with our kits you can still use 89 octane and gain some MPG
5. Why add 500 pounds to your Jeep
6. 5.7L HEMI’s only make 270whp & 280ft/lbs of torque

So - you do what you do and we'll do what we do

RIPPTECH

Based on your questions I think the only thing we have concluded is that your reading comprehension is for shit...

 

[Nucleophile]

Personally if it weren't for the lifetime powertrain warranty that limits my desire to modify, I would opt for a low mileage 5.3 & 6l80 over a supercharger on my 145k mile "old" 3.8 engine.

Are you sure you really have a lifetime warranty? Have you jumped through all the hoops to avoid the triggers that cancel it out? The dealer inspections that have to be done within certain timeframes, etc.

 

[ALASHA]

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?

That depends on the SC you use hence I went with an Avenger SC. Roots blowers dont need rpm to build boost so my peak gains arent limited to the upper RPM range where I dont spend most of my time anyway.

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.

"Butt Dynos" actually respond best to low end torque because that is what you feel as the accelerating force.

 

[gold knight]

Are you sure you really have a lifetime warranty? Have you jumped through all the hoops to avoid the triggers that cancel it out? The dealer inspections that have to be done within certain timeframes, etc.

Hoops? Repairs to date:

Leaking rear left axle seal replaced at 47,000 miles, left cracked exhaust manifold replaced at 89,000 miles.

Dealer five year inspection within 30 days +/- of my five year anniversary found: bad timing cover causing oil leak and bad front driveshaft, both covered under warranty.

Broken transmission at 147,000 rebuilt and returned Friday afternoon. Yep I'm sure I have it.

 

[shockwaveaz]

Based on your questions I think the only thing we have concluded is that your reading comprehension is for shit...

That's some funny shit right there.

 

[MoTech]

Here's a short peak at a 2010 JKR that was supercharged. Now it has an all aluminum 430 HP LS3, runs awesome. It's as mild as the 3.8 but has tremendous power.

We need to do suspension work to get it to go straight under acceleration. Caster is off, the track bar in front is mounted too low and the track bars are moving causing bump(torque) steer. With 400+ HP it's Mr. Todd's wild ride. Properly set up they go straight as an arrow and can comfortably cruise 1,000 miles in a day at low rpm.

You should check out Roger's website, he has had that Green expedition Jeep across the country several times. It is based in Canada and he came down for some servicing. Roger takes this JK's across remote trails in the US and Canada, he has already traveled across most of the US in this 5.3 Jeep. He went through Death valley last summer with the 5.3. I'll get his website posted when it's up and running. From the deserts in the Southwest to Northern Canada Roger is filming his travels and has documented some great trails.

Will post another video when the suspension is squared away.

Pitbull - YouTube

 

[guarnibl]

I know my hemi was not any near 8 MPG city. 14 or 15 average seems about right. I do know this. I did several runs to Moab, and all day trails while in Moab. On the way to Moab, I went as far as other people in 3.6 Jeeps and 3.8 jeeps. I didn't need to fuel up any more often than they did, and we ran them down to fumes on the interstate. On the trails, pretty much the same thing. 10 or 12 hours on the trail and I never worried about gas. I was concerned that the hemi might have been a pig on the trails with gas, but since you are pretty much idling the whole time, it did really well.

I would think there is a lot more aftermarket support for the 6 speed than any of the newer 8 or 9 speeds. A built 6L80 should be damn near bullet proof.

I do take exception to Robbie's comment about big motors don't need more gears. Audi, Mercedes and Ferrari seem to disagree with you Robbie! Don't get me wrong, I have talked to people with your LS and 6L80 conversions and they love that tranny. I am sure it is great. If GM spent millions on software for it, I think Chrysler must have spent $321.19 on software for the 545!! It shifts like that! (There is a shift module you can buy for less than $100 that helps somewhat.)

It's possible his speedo wasn't calibrated properly -- I didn't really check to see if what it read was anywhere near right. I was also in stop and go traffic when I was driving it... 14 or 15 is completely great though and more than acceptable for what I'm looking for... just want to ensure I don't have to go station to station hah.

Auto's scare me in general. Guess we'll find out

 

[Matti]

hook up his site

You should check out Roger's website, he has had that Green expedition Jeep across the country several times. It is based in Canada and he came down for some servicing. Roger takes this JK's across remote trails in the US and Canada, he has already traveled across most of the US in this 5.3 Jeep. He went through Death valley last summer with the 5.3. I'll get his website posted when it's up and running. From the deserts in the Southwest to Northern Canada Roger is filming his travels and has documented some great trails.

hook up his site

 

[BigJk]

I have zero experience with the supercharged 3.8. But I've got about 5k on my 5.7 VVT Hemi truck motor/6 speed combo in a heavy unlimited D60/80 with 5.38 gears and 40" tires, daily driven Jeep. I commute 45 miles from 8000 ft to 5000 ft and back again. 20 miles is a curvy 2 lane at 55 mph. And 25 miles is interstate at 80-85 mph. I've averaged just over 13.9 mpg over that interval.

The engine, tranny, gear ratio, and tire size are the perfect fit for what amounts to terrific performance on the street, and leave it in first and idle over everything offroad.

Best money I've ever spent on a car mod.

 

[MoTech]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr_94F52kXc&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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[shockwaveaz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr_94F52kXc&feature=youtube_gdata_player


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I enjoy your videos. What lS3 engine is that? Edit. NVM too much alcohol will do that.

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