Jeep Strokers

For 99 Jeep XJ with 43K miles on it (auto transmission and 242 tcase).

My AFE brand CAI leaked and let sand into engine when I was wheeling at the beach. I didn't realize this until after driving 150 miles on highway. Then I changed my engine oil and filter, and reinstalled stock air box with a Baldwin paper filter. Since the sand incident, I now have a slight knock in my engine when idling at full op temp.

In the future (maybe a year) I'll want to build a 4.5 or 4.6 stroker using stock cam and valve train, 4L long rods (or other long rods) with pistons that have minimal blow-by and rattle issues. I want to use stock air box and have stock TB bored out to 60mm (or whatever they bore to). I will continue using my Dynomax 2.25 cat back system, dent-free downpipe, and Thorley ceramic-coated Tri-Y header(s). I want however much HP increase this will give, but it's the torque increase from idle to 3500 rpm that I want most. I want to use 97 octane gas.

Is the recipe below still the best for what I'm after? Specifically I'm wondering if Mr Russ Pottenger has different or better pistons he'd recommend. Is Dino's recipe still the latest and greatest for what I wan to accomplish?

4.6L Modified "poor man's" stroker (recipe from Dino-Cheromaniac website)

Jeep 4.2L 3.895" stroke crank
Jeep 4.0L 6.125" rods
Custom forged +0.020" bore pistons, compression height 1.380", dish volume 26cc
9.25:1 CR
Stock 4.0 camshaft
DIY ported HO 1.91"/1.50" 57cc cylinder head
Mopar/Victor 0.043" head gasket
0.043" quench height
Ford 24lb/hr injectors for '87-'95 engines, Bosch 0280155703 injectors for '96-'04 engines, '98 Chevy LS1 25.2lb/hr injectors for '05-'06 engines
249hp @ 4900rpm, 303lbft @ 3500rpm ('87-'95 camshaft)
245hp @ 4700rpm, 315lbft @ 3000rpm ('96-'04 camshaft)

I don't see any mention of decking the block in that recipe. Will my block need decking? If so, how much?

Can I reuse my stock oil pump, or should I get a new replacement stock oil pump, or should I get a Melling Hi-Flow oil pump?

Is my stock water pump good enough, or should I get a high-flow upgrade water pump?

Hi Charlie,

A couple of recommendations.
If we run a piston with a 1.385 compression height you'll have the option of not having to deck the block.

Rather than using a stock cam I would recommend using my custom cam that allows you to use stock valve springs.

If you're going to run a 97 octane gas I'd recommend a 9.7:1 static compression ratio.

For the relatively low cost i'd recommend replacing your pump with a standard volume Melling oil pump.

Russ is the man.
Follow his advice.

Cheromaniac wrote:Russ is the man.
Follow his advice.

Thanks Dino.
Your check is in the mail, ... lol

I'm a moron.

I want to use 87 octane gas, but I typed 97 in the OP. Now the forum interface won't allow me to edit the OP.

We knew what you meant......

Russ Pottenger wrote: Thanks Dino.
Your check is in the mail, ... lol