Are Jeeps Finally Going to Include a Hemi Option?

This little article on MSN hints at the possiblity of a Hemi option for the Jeep Wrangler. Show of hands, how many people actually believe this will happen?

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/autosblog.aspx?feat=048ca691-6d99-4812-b264-d70d70438e9a

You never know... Weirder things have happened.
Remember they put a minivan engine in it now.
If someone told you back in 2004 that by the year 2007 they were going to get rid of the inline 6 and go with the Town & Country engine you wouldn't believe it. And yet here we are......

I'd still do a conversion, Chrysler would fuck it up somehow!

while we are on the subject of engines and horse power, any of you guys have any suggestions on increasing the horse power and fuel milege on the 3.7? I guess im looking for a cheap solution. I know that putting a chip in it and possibly a cold air will help but I was just wondering if im missing something?
I have been hesitant on the cold air in fear of going through water and sucking it up into the motor.

I'm guessing you're talking about the 3.8L in the JK. Seems like the engine doesn't respond much to traditional options (intake, exhaust, header). Some people have seen a very slight increase of 1mpg when using a Flashpaq but it would take a ton of miles to offset the cost of the device. If you want to get an intake, there's always a snorkel but the cost in that is high and you're going to have to chop up either the hood or some other body part. Gearing helps to get the rpm's in the right range for highway driving. I have a hard time maintaining 70mph when I make the drive from Houston to Corpus area if there's a head wind. I can't wait to swap out my 3.73 for 5.13s.

Yes the 3.8 sorry about that. Yeah the only way I can really maintain 70 on the HWY is to turn the overdrive off but then of course my RPM's are high. Guess its time to do some tinkering....lol

Jake&Jen wrote:

Yes the 3.8 sorry about that. Yeah the only way I can really maintain 70 on the HWY is to turn the overdrive off but then of course my RPM's are high. Guess its time to do some tinkering....lol

Dude! You own a jeep. It's always time to do some tinkering.

As for the programmer idea, it is a reasonably low budget work-around for the endemic power problem of the 3.8L. If your looking for gas mileage improvements to justify payback on the programmer cost, I wouldn't advise it. However, if you want it to improve the driveability and have reasonably good gas mileage improvements, then I highly recommend it.


I have a Superchip Flashpaq and really like the fact that my speedo/odo are accurate. I also notice the vehicle being more responsive. I'm currently running the tow tune, which so far seems to be the best combination of economy and responsiveness. I've been averaging 16 mpg in DD duty of 50/50 hwy/city. I haven't had a full tank of hwy driving but would think I'd get around 18. Compare that to the 13.5 avg mpg before it, and the difference is noticible. The actual mpg improvement is probably pretty small. The recalibration of the speedo means I'm much more accurately reading speed, which likely accounts for most of the mpg improvements I'm seeing.

There are a bunch of people who'd probably jump on the Hemi engine option. I know that there are a bunch who'd rather see them provide a good diesel platform. I'll admit tha there is something very enticing about having a Hemi. With my lifetime power train warranty there's little chance of me looking at a Hemi swap. A gear swap won't happen either until I get an official statement that my mods resulted in a failure of a driveline component.

Dutchboy101 wrote:

You never know... Weirder things have happened.
Remember they put a minivan engine in it now.
If someone told you back in 2004 that by the year 2007 they were going to get rid of the inline 6 and go with the Town & Country engine you wouldn't believe it. And yet here we are......

Tru dat!

Can you imagine what they'll want to charge for it...

I'm going to try out a turbo. Eventually I want the Hemi (I think). It's really only highway driving that sucks and a turbo would be perfect for that. Run 6-7 psi and give it just enough giddyup so that it can actually get out of its own way. I think I could build a intercooled turbo setup for $1500-2000. Use the same engine management that they use on the SC kits, fabricate turbo manifolds from scratch (or start with aftermarket headers and gof rom there). Obviously most people can't do that sort of thing themselves...but since I can, might as well give it a shot.

Turbo's are nice, but I wouldn't want to submerge a hot turbo when you crossing any type of water crossing/obstacle when your wheeling.

Typically doesn't play out well for the turbo.

I'm not much of a water forger, aside from that...they can be mounted pretty high as well. There is a ton of room in there. I don't think it's as big of an issue as most people make it out to be. It's not like it's going to get submerged for long.

Rlogan - keep me posted on the turbo setup. I would like to see that when you get started.

Will do...I need to recover from all the drivetrain upgrades (and soon to be tires). And now my wife wants wood floors in several rooms. Damn, this whole compromise thing sucks....I obviously need all the money for my projects.

Hemi....hmmm maybe I could see them doing something stupid n being lowered with more of a sport stance. No offense to anyone with a lowered jeep. Should say with all do respect lol. I want a Diesel engine but thatll never happen from factory.