Jeep Strokers

Hi, all....

I am going to build a 4.6 stroker for my 1996 Grand Cherokee. I make diddly squat for money at work, so it has to be on the cheap. I also do not want anything over 9.0:1 compression so I can still use 87 octane gasoline..

So far, here is my hard parts list:

4.2 reman crank from Vato Zone for a 1991 Wrangler
4.0 rods that I already have
Comp Cams 68-232-4, and roller chain
Mopar, or whatever springs that will accomodate the lift on said camshaft (with NO machine work)

Pistons: Must be cast... This is where I am stuck... Any suggestions?

I am constantly seeing discussions on what springs will fit the '96 head, and accomodate the lift. I'm pretty sure it was said that the Mopar Performace springs are the ticket...

Any advice?
Thanks... Scott

I'm still learning myself (still working on the parts list for my own build), but with the 4.0 rods I believe you have to go with FORGED pistons. If you want to go with cast or hyper, you need to use the shorter 4.2 rods. Forged pistons are quite a bit more expensive, but if you go with cast/hyper, you have to shell out the $$$ for rods.

Again, new guy myself, so administer a proper quantity of NaCl with this statement, but there seems to be a loosely held opinion that using the 4.0 rods/forged pistons lends to a longer-lasting motor, due primarily to the shallower crank/piston angle at half stroke. TONS of people on here have used both setups though, and there doesn't seem to be any indication that one is significantly better than the other.

Here are the forged pistons I'm going with on my own build: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/uem-ic944-030

Also, if you haven't already, check out Dino's pages for scads of useful info. If you scroll about half-way down his tech specs page (http://jeep4.0performance.4mg.com/tech_specs.html), you can see a bunch of the common pistons people tend to use. Any of the 1.6xx" or 1.5xx" pistons will only work with the shorter 4.2 rods.

And yes, I think the MOPAR springs are what you want - hopefully somebody will confirm that:
Springs: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-5249464
Retainers: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-4452032
Locks: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-4529218

00XJ49 wrote:I'm still learning myself (still working on the parts list for my own build), but with the 4.0 rods I believe you have to go with FORGED pistons. If you want to go with cast or hyper, you need to use the shorter 4.2 rods. Forged pistons are quite a bit more expensive, but if you go with cast/hyper, you have to shell out the $$$ for rods.

Again, new guy myself, so administer a proper quantity of NaCl with this statement, but there seems to be a loosely held opinion that using the 4.0 rods/forged pistons lends to a longer-lasting motor, due primarily to the shallower crank/piston angle at half stroke. TONS of people on here have used both setups though, and there doesn't seem to be any indication that one is significantly better than the other.

Also, if you haven't already, check out Dino's pages for scads of useful info. If you scroll about half-way down his tech specs page (http://jeep4.0performance.4mg.com/tech_specs.html), you can see a bunch of the common pistons people tend to use. Any of the 1.6xx" or 1.5xx" pistons will only work with the shorter 4.2 rods.

And yes, I think the MOPAR springs are what you want - hopefully somebody will confirm that:
Springs: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-5249464
Retainers: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-4452032
Locks: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-4529218

Correct on all counts. Looks like you've been doing your homework.

Okay... I got it... Nobody makes a hypereutectic, or cast piston for use with the 4.0 rods... So I'm stuck with the 944 pistons.. That will be my biggest expense in this project...

You aren't stuck. Bulltear offers forged pistons for use with the 4.0L rods as well as Hesco.

SilverXJ wrote:You aren't stuck. Bulltear offers forged pistons for use with the 4.0L rods as well as Hesco.

I think the OP is looking for cheaper pistons than the IC944's. Those will be more expensive.
If the OP really wants cheap cast/hyper pistons, he'll need a set of 4.2L rods. Unless he already has a set, buying them would eat into any cost savings from buying cheaper pistons.