I’m new to the forum even though I have been wondering around on it for the past couple of weeks. I own a 1988 Jeep Comanche Renix 4.0 auto 4x4. I have had it for about 3 years. It is a Canadian model (block warmer and KMph speedo) and somehow it crossed paths with me down here in Texas and I bought it. It is a weekend/ Beach toy and so far I have managed to put 7000 miles on it in 3 years. It currently has the equivalent of 108,000 miles in KM. I am a regular member over at comancheclub.com and cherokeefourm.com. Here are a few pictures of my rig how it sits now.
Over the past year I have noticed a loss in power, and I have been blowing out seals as soon as I replace them. Also, I had excessive blow by since I bought it even with a clean CCV system. I did a compression test and these were the results:
Dry Test
Cylinder 1 - 125 psi
Cylinder 2 - 100-105 psi
Cylinder 3 - 145 psi
Cylinder 4 - 130-135 psi
Cylinder 5 - 140-145 psi
Cylinder 6 - 140 psi
Had a mechanic try to figure out the seals failing issue and he did what he called a “pressure test”, He said before he could get it to 30 mph it was reading 3 psi of crankcase pressure. This is a direct cause of the worn rings. So, I decided this is the time to call it and start looking into building a stroker. I have many questions though…. I plan to have a very reputable machinist do the machining and assembly of the motor in my home town. I spoke to him over the phone for about 30 minutes last week about cost of build, and what he suggests I use in the build. I will provide the motor and parts and he will do all the rest of the work for $1000 max he quoted. I’m ok with that to know that the assembly is done right. I have a lot of experience wrenching on motors but have never attempted to get lower than head gaskets in an engine. So I feel the most comfortable having him do the work. He has been open for 30 years and has build 100’s of engines; I have heard nothing but good things from everyone I talk to. He told me to stay away from Keith Black pistons and Eagle cranks. He has had a lot of bad luck with them over the past couple of years. He also said SCAT is what he is suggesting now a day. They have really stepped their quality up over the past couple of years.
I have started doing research on the renix 4.0 to the 96+ 4.0 HO motor swap and it doesn’t look that bad. The plan is to go with a 96+ because of the better flowing head, intake, exhaust, and bigger throttle body. I will probably get work done on the head or buy one that has already been ported and polished along with a better valve train from clegg. They run about $600-750. Or get the new all aluminum head that edelbrock just released for the 4.0, but it runs about $1500.00. In addition I will also have to buy a new header to match up with the 96+ exhaust ports. Also I plan on getting a bored 68mm Throttle body. I want this thing to have plenty of air.
As far as fuel goes, I’m going to need to get a better fuel pump and the hesco adjustable fuel pressure regulator along with ford #24lb+ fuel injectors depending on the size of the stroker. I will also like to get an air to fuel ratio gauge to dial it in, but I know they are pricy, if I have that though I should be able to get the mixture right by adjusting the resistance on the MAP sensor?
As for the build in all I would really like to stay under $3000.00 in just the motor. I know I can probably add another $1000 in injectors, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump, header, and Throttle body. I think these are realistic numbers and might even come out under 4k total.
I would love to do a 4.9 stroker but I feel it will be more costly and problematic, so I will most likely just go the route of a 4.7. I haven’t picked out the recipe of the build yet because I want to get deep into some more research. Furthermore, from the research I have done I should at minimum be looking at 270HP and 300Tq with a stock 96+ 4.0HO head and stroked to 4.7L. I am hoping for more like 300Hp and 330Tq though. Which I think are possible numbers.
This is all my thought. Please tell me your honest opinions. I am here to learn and take advice. The majority of the people on this board have way more knowledge on all this than I do. That’s why I’m here.
Here are the kits I’m looking at. What do yall think?
http://www.cleggengine.com/stroker-kits ... -kits.html
Also what are realistic Hp and Tq numbers I can expect out of the kits? Is there that big of a power difference between the stages 1,2and3? And are the upgraded heads they offer really worth it? I know, I have a ton of questions, just help where you can please.. And thanks in advance.
