My dad's 4 cyl wrangler...

99v6cam · #1 10-04-2005, 01:56 AM

...is the slowest godawful thing I've ever driven in my life. I hate to drive it becuse of it's lack of power and torque. Yet he insists that the 4 cylinder has just as much torque as the six and I don't know much about jeeps but I'm pretty sure that is NOT TRUE. There's this bridge by my house and you have to have it in the upper range of the power band (over 3500rpm) just so you won't slow down going over the bridge. In 5th gear it will not accelerate at all. I told him when he first got it to drop a small block v8 in it and he said no, it's got enough power. Someone help me convince him that it is pathetic. At least prove that it has less torque than the six.

97 3.5 Intrepid · #2 10-04-2005, 07:09 PM

Hey no problem! Here is the stats on the I4 vs. the I6 offered with the Wrangler in 2004

I4

2.4 l DOHC

16 valve

147 hp @ 5200 rpms

165 ft-lbs of torque @ 4000 rpms

vs.

I6

4.0 l OHV

12 valve

190 hp @ 4600 rpms

235 ft-lbs of torque @ 3200 rpms

What the heck made him believe that the I4 would have anywhere close to having as much torque as the I6? It must be one of those stubborn father things (my father has had his own illogical beliefs before about cars and would refuse to accept it no matter how much evidence I used to prove him wrong). Not only does it produce less torque but it makes it at a higher rpm due to the fact that the I4 is a DOHC design instead of a OHV design with 4 valves per cylinder verses 2 valves. Four valves vs two valves tends to make the engine need to hit higher rpms to get the hp and torque; therefore, more valves does not also mean superior in all conditions. Also another thing. The 4.0 l I6 is a true Jeep (AMC) designed engine. It is as reliable as the day is long. I have heard complants about the 2.4 having oil leaks. The 2.4 was first used in the Stratus/Cirrus, then in the minivans, then in the Liberty. The 4.0 has been in the Wrangler for years and is based off of the 4.2 that it replaced in the Wrangler.

Here is something that will help if he refuses to make any other improvements for not very much money. Try a K&N drop in air filter. They cost around $40-60, if they make it for that model. It won't make the difference a supercharger would, but it will make a slight throttle response improvement. Good luck!

99v6cam · #3 10-05-2005, 12:11 AM

Had a nice conversation with my dad about the power differences a few minutes ago, lol! I was surprised when he said, ehhh in a few years (after the warrenty) we'll just have to throw a 350SBC in there. I was like... word

97 3.5 Intrepid · #4 10-07-2005, 07:05 PM

Great going! I've heard of people puting in small block V8s in Wranglers before. How much horsepower and torque will the 350 you will be putting in produce? Have you thought about a mopar 360 (5.9 L) or better a 345 (5.7 L) HEMI

?

motorhead426 · #5 11-29-2005, 12:08 PM

Just another bit of info to remember when comparing power numbers onthe I4 and the 4.0L..... the power bands are way different. The 4 banger you've got to rev the crap out of to get any power, where as the 4.0L has most of its power at low end, which, as far as a offroader is concerned....power at low end is very important.

97 3.5 Intrepid · #6 11-29-2005, 07:10 PM

Yeah I mentioned that about the 2.4L. I listed the rpms for both that demonstrated that you have to run the heck out of the engine to get any torque or hp. I mentioned it specifically in this part right here;

Quote:

Not only does it produce less torque but it makes it at a higher rpm due to the fact that the I4 is a DOHC design instead of a OHV design with 4 valves per cylinder verses 2 valves. Four valves vs two valves tends to make the engine need to hit higher rpms to get the hp and torque; therefore, more valves does not also mean superior in all conditions. Also another thing.

But thanks for filling in the last part that I forgot to mention. That is an important part to remember.

clean_sx · #7 01-01-2006, 01:49 AM

wicked. but what made him think a 2.4L I-4 was even close to the 4.0L I-6.

jdcovert · #8 01-25-2006, 03:24 PM

I hear ya! I had a 4 banger Nissan P/U with 31s on it - that thing couldn't get out of it's own way! It was pathetic!! Never again will I own another 4 cyl!! My next truck was a little "87 Toyota P/U with a 350 V8. Boy - she could move!! I surprised a few people at the stop light too [sm=gears.gif]

Koldkut · #9 01-27-2006, 02:53 AM

gears......

I owned a 2.5l jeep, they are fine on power, cars with less HP more faster because of gearing....

97 3.5 Intrepid · #10 01-27-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Koldkut

gears......

I owned a 2.5l jeep, they are fine on power, cars with less HP more faster because of gearing....

The old 2.5L OHV AMC engine was better suited in the Wrangler with its power characteristics. The 2.5L had lower end torque which is more valuable in a vehicle like the Wrangler than what higher hp & tq at the high end is.