Turbo for a 4.0L?
#1
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Turbo for a 4.0L?
I have been tossing around the idea of building a stroker motor for my 98 XJ. A buddy of mine said that there used to be a company out there that made a turbo for the 4.0L, I didnt believe him cuz I never heard of that before. I know they make a supercharger for a 4.0L but I never heard of a turbocharger. Is there a company out there that makes a turbo for the Cherokee or would I just be better in going the stroker route?
#2
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Year: 1997
Engine: 4.0
I have been kicking around the same idea, but have not found anything that I like off the shelf for our Cherokees.
My heep has over 185k on it now. My plan is to build a low-compression stroker when it hits 200K suitable for a turbo. For now, I think the best option for a turbo is the Squires Turbo System. They make direct fit kits for a lot of applications, but not Cherokees. Universal kits are available and I believe it would be easy enough for me to plumb it up. Their website is http://www.ststurbo.com
I don't know about you, but I feel my ride has plenty of low end power. The 4.0 has good low end torque and is great for wheeling, especially when geared right for tire size. I would, however, like more power at highway speed. That is where a turbo makes sense. The boost doesn't build until rpms increase giving you more power to push a vehicle shaped like a brick down the road at reasonable speed, especially once we make them taller, throw a tire on the roof, etc.
My heep has over 185k on it now. My plan is to build a low-compression stroker when it hits 200K suitable for a turbo. For now, I think the best option for a turbo is the Squires Turbo System. They make direct fit kits for a lot of applications, but not Cherokees. Universal kits are available and I believe it would be easy enough for me to plumb it up. Their website is http://www.ststurbo.com
I don't know about you, but I feel my ride has plenty of low end power. The 4.0 has good low end torque and is great for wheeling, especially when geared right for tire size. I would, however, like more power at highway speed. That is where a turbo makes sense. The boost doesn't build until rpms increase giving you more power to push a vehicle shaped like a brick down the road at reasonable speed, especially once we make them taller, throw a tire on the roof, etc.
#3
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But the problem with using a Turbo is it is always there. When your only using it on the street that's fine, but when you take it off road, engine bay temps may cause it to operate above normal temps. And the first deep water hole you go through is going to crack it. Trust me i've seen it. I was in the army and after a long day of bulldozing we took the dozer to the wash point and one of my soldiers put a direct line on a hot turbo and cracked the damn thing. And that's why I don't think a turbo is a good ideal on a jeep used offroad.
#5
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I would like to turbo my ZJ, I want a little more topend power. I could choose a size to spool and make boost above 2500 RPM. Have a vacuum cutout to keep minimal boost at lower RPMs. WHERE to put the turbo IS the big question though. I don't expect to be running in deep water, but you never know.
I had a couple mildly modified Dodge turbo cars a few years back, and was going to turbo my V6 minivan.
I had a couple mildly modified Dodge turbo cars a few years back, and was going to turbo my V6 minivan.
#6
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Year: 1990 Renix
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#7
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#9
doin the turbo vs a v8 swap is arguable i can do the v8 swap for cheaper BUT takes alot longer and way more fab/mod work to be done im gonna do a v8 swap with a turbo so i getta do both :-)
#10
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, bolt ons for days...
boost wont break the 4.0, shes a beast inside and out. only issue is water crossings like someone said.
i've personally seen two boosted 4.0s (YJ and XJ) and hot damn what sweet sweet music they make.
i've personally seen two boosted 4.0s (YJ and XJ) and hot damn what sweet sweet music they make.
#11
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Year: 1994
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But, a V8 swap gets you much further ahead in the game. You CAN make decent numbers with a boosted 4.0 (as the earlier link shows), but you can make just as much with a mild V8 and it will be much easier on parts and you still have more room to make power. The only downside being the complexity of the swap and the $$$ involved. A stock LS with bolt ons can make those numbers and not be running at the ragged edge to do it. Which means less breaking down on the trails and longer life for your engine.
#12
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
plus with a turbo theres turbo lag. if your gonna be on the trails you dont want to have to be constantly way up in your RPM range to get power. before the boost kicks in its just a low compression 4.0
#13
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Year: 1994
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Lag can be eliminated for the most part by selecting the proper sized turbo and building the engine accordingly. But, you'll be limiting your performance to a certain range on the powerband, and areas such as highway driving etc may suffer. Which if it's a trail rig, who cares, but most of us don't have dedicated trail rigs. Not saying turbo motors can't or don't work good on the trail, but the number of ones actually built properly and perform well is small.
A supercharger would be a better option honestly for a 4.0 in a trail rig. You have instant boost, no spool time and there are already bolt on kits, much less fab work. But, then you're 4 or 5 k into a 4 liter (assuming your engine is healthy from the get go). When for that, you could have a 400+HP LS engine and trans and all your mounts etc.
It just reaches a point of diminishing returns when it comes to trying to make big power with the 4 liter. It can be done, but is it worth it?
A supercharger would be a better option honestly for a 4.0 in a trail rig. You have instant boost, no spool time and there are already bolt on kits, much less fab work. But, then you're 4 or 5 k into a 4 liter (assuming your engine is healthy from the get go). When for that, you could have a 400+HP LS engine and trans and all your mounts etc.
It just reaches a point of diminishing returns when it comes to trying to make big power with the 4 liter. It can be done, but is it worth it?
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Year: 1990 Renix
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DAMN IT !!!!!!!
I'll be breaken SOOOOO much stuff..... why did you have to show me this?
thanks
I love these little friggen faces...