Thinking about building my first stroker.

[Badmunky]

So I have been having problems with my current 4.0. At this point I think the cam is going. So I'm thinking about just building a stroker to replace it.

I have never done this before, but I have built several motors. Just never a 4.0 stroker.

So I have a few questions for you guys.

Can this be done for under $1,400?
Will it be reliable?
Can I get better MPG, or at least about the same as I do now? (This is a daily driver /week end wheeler.)
What do you do about tuning?
How much power will a basic stroker make?

I'm not looking to get crazy here, just want a little more power. And the current motor is about to crap out any way.

I am not sure if I want to go with a stroker, or an LS swap at this point.

They both have the positives and there negatives.

But I really don't need more then 300hp. I want to keep my stock NV 5-speed trans, and 231 T-case ether way. And I am not going to be trying to turn over 40s here ether. I'm thinking 35s will be my max, but more then likely I will end up with a metric tire that's around 33" tall.

I'm working with a 2004 TJ Wrangler Rocky Mountain edition. 3:73 gears, and its on 31/10.5/R15s right now.


Thanks for the help here guys!!!!!!!!

[Russ Pottenger]

Just curious. You have a approximate $1400.00 budget to do a 4.0 based stroker, but at the same time considering doing a LS swap as a possible alternative.

Have you factored in the cost of dropping in an LS engine with everything that goes with it?

[Badmunky]

Just curious. You have a approximate $1400.00 budget to do a 4.0 based stroker, but at the same time considering doing a LS swap as a possible alternative.

Have you factored in the cost of dropping in an LS engine with everything that goes with it?

Yes I have. I currently have a budget of around $1,400. So the stroker better fits my budget right now.
However I am considering the LS swap as an option because I could do that next summer. But to do that I would need to replace this motor with one pulled from a junk yard now so the Jeep can still be driven until all the need parts for the LS swap where on hand. I can get a used 4.0 for about $500 with nothing wrong with it. But it's a lot of work to change a motor, so if a stroke would fit my needs / wants, its an option.

I'm not really looking for the cheap way out, but why spend 2X as much or more on an LS swap if the stroker would make me happy.

I don't know a lot about storker motors. I have never even ridden in a jeep that has one in it. So I just want to be sure its what I am looking for before I spend the money on one. If its not, then I'll move on to the LS swap. If it is, then I will start collecting parts for the build.

[Cheromaniac]

Can this be done for under $1,400? Will it be reliable?
You can choose one of the two. If you want to do it properly you'll need to budget at least $2k.

Can I get better MPG, or at least about the same as I do now? (This is a daily driver /week end wheeler.)
It's possible. I'm getting about the same gas mileage in the city and 2mpg better on the highway with my stroker.

What do you do about tuning? Since yours is a 2004 model, you'll need a custom tune and the man to go to is [email protected]
How much power will a basic stroker make? Depends on the specs. Check out my recipes page (link in sig.).

I am not sure if I want to go with a stroker, or an LS swap at this point.
An LS swap isn't a weekend job. You'll need an adapter kit to mate the engine to the tranny, custom engine mounts, clutch kit, custom headers, exhaust, thicker radiator, gauges, and some degree of fabrication to finish it off. It's a great project but prepare to spend a lot more than you think it'll cost.