Comparing a tuned JTRD to one regeared with 4.56s, both on 37s.

[Rusty PW]

I had @Rusty PW in mind when I made my statement. My old URS6 would peg the boost gauge. Each new mod got you back to that rush.
With the JT i feel like I am chasing a different rush. That pucker on a shelf road or getting tippy over an obstacle. Though I can tell you I really did enjoy being 4.88 on 35s and smoking a Miata.

I hate Spec Miatas on the track. Doing trackdays with them is a pain. You blow past them on the straights, only to have them catch you on the brakes setting up for a corner.

Sponsored

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

I had @Rusty PW in mind when I made my statement. My old URS6 would peg the boost gauge. Each new mod got you back to that rush.
With the JT i feel like I am chasing a different rush. That pucker on a shelf road or getting tippy over an obstacle.
Though I can tell you I really did enjoy being 4.88 on 35s and smoking a Miata.

Yeah not much of that kind of pucker around here, gotta get our jollies elsewhere. When off road it's more like "I hope this water/ mud hole isn't too deep" or my favorite: "I hope this trail doesn't narrow down so much it scratches the paint."

Driving the other JTRD I instantly realized how desensitized I'd become and gears would definitely make my Jeep a stoplight to stoplight queen.
I did a lot of amateur drag racing during and after my high school years, which in the 80s the only turbos were on Grand Nationals (I should've got the hint then) so it was a matter of how big and how much HP you got from your V8 and how well you could stick it to the ground.
The turbo diesel business seems like a different monster: you don't feel it in the seat of your pants the way a ported, cammed, high compression big block does. Power appears to more smoothly transfer to acceleration.
Right after my tune I found an XR Wrangler to line up with on the highway and lining up next to it and listening to that worked big V8 rumble was a lot more familiar. So was his takeoff.

 

[DocMike]

All the more reason to use that diesel to see the country.

I'll admit if I could 392 swap I would. I love the idea of ridiculous rides.

Yeah not much of that kind of pucker around here, gotta get our jollies elsewhere. When off road it's more like "I hope this water/ mud hole isn't too deep" or my favorite: "I hope this trail doesn't narrow down so much it scratches the paint."

Driving the other JTRD I instantly realized how desensitized I'd become and gears would definitely make my Jeep a stoplight to stoplight queen.
I did a lot of amateur drag racing during and after my high school years, which in the 80s the only turbos were on Grand Nationals (I should've got the hint then) so it was a matter of how big and how much HP you got from your V8 and how well you could stick it to the ground.
The turbo diesel business seems like a different monster: you don't feel it in the seat of your pants the way a ported, cammed, high compression big block does. Power appears to more smoothly transfer to acceleration.
Right after my tune I found an XR Wrangler to line up with on the highway and lining up next to it and listening to that worked big V8 rumble was a lot more familiar. So was his takeoff.

 

[DocMike]

When your tires are taller than his hood and you beat him off the line....it's funny.
But yeah they do handle nice. It's the old adage of driving a slow car fast.
For an entry level track car you really can't do better than a miata.

I hate Spec Miatas on the track. Doing trackdays with them is a pain. You blow past them on the straights, only to have them catch you on the brakes setting up for a corner.

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

All the more reason to use that diesel to see the country.

All is not lost, lol. We were in Phoenix this past May and rented a similarly equipped JLUR and did some of the New River trails and the one that goes down into Sedona. Talk about pucker factor. Glad I was on the driver's side cause it would've been a lot more difficult otherwise.
I was very impressed with how smooth and balanced it is to wheel over the diesel. I'm addicted to the diesel power but if I lived out west or near Appalachia I think I would prefer the 3.6 for off road work.

 

[terpsmandan]

So what tune did you go with. I have a GDE tune in my JL. One thing they do is to remove the torque limiter that is in place for the first five gears. Wife also has an stock JLURD and that part of the program is very noticable.

 

[Rusty PW]

When your tires are taller than his hood and you beat him off the line....it's funny.
But yeah they do handle nice. It's the old adage of driving a slow car fast.
For an entry level track car you really can't do better than a miata.

The old track saying. "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast, then it is to drive a fast car slow."

 

[CreepyJeepy]

Driving my slow car fast always makes me smile. 100mph in this car is as scary as 100mph in my gladiator.

I love track days. I get my doors blown off in straights… but you will never get me out of your mirrors, any corner and look there I am again :-P

 

[bleda2002]

Does your buddy have a pedal commander? If not the lag of the gears behind your tune is probably from the pedal lag when trying to give it the beans.

 

[DocMike]

You did Schnebly Hill didn't you? Beautiful trail for sure.

All is not lost, lol. We were in Phoenix this past May and rented a similarly equipped JLUR and did some of the New River trails and the one that goes down into Sedona. Talk about pucker factor. Glad I was on the driver's side cause it would've been a lot more difficult otherwise.
I was very impressed with how smooth and balanced it is to wheel over the diesel. I'm addicted to the diesel power but if I lived out west or near Appalachia I think I would prefer the 3.6 for off road work.

 

[DocMike]

Yup. Had a guy at a bar ask about getting into track days....told him.. get a Miata.
Two guys at the end of the bar started laughing and then said...."He's right.."

Then we all got into a convo about how a new driver could push the hell out of a Miata and learn to drive correctly. Sad that people stereotype them negatively. They are a joy for spirited driving.


Though I did see an automatic Miata at a dealer and felt it was a crime against nature.

Driving my slow car fast always makes me smile. 100mph in this car is as scary as 100mph in my gladiator.

I love track days. I get my doors blown off in straights… but you will never get me out of your mirrors, any corner and look there I am again :-P

 

[Pescatoral Pursuit]

So what tune did you go with. I have a GDE tune in my JL. One thing they do is to remove the torque limiter that is in place for the first five gears.

GDE.
WOT from a stop there's a huge lull between 1 and 2. I'm assuming it's a torque management thing. When I brought it up, GDE kinda played it down and they also said part of the PCM will reprogram itself and that I would need to buy an alfa obd and an app to reset it periodically which is something that doesn't get mentioned and they leave for you to figure out on your own unless you bring it up, and from my research the Internet is scant devoid of any specific instructions or demonstration.
So while I have some familiarity bias concerning perceived performance degradation, the tuner has confirmed such is actually occuring.

You did Schnebly Hill didn't you? Beautiful trail for sure.

That's the one!

 

[CreepyJeepy]

Yup. Had a guy at a bar ask about getting into track days....told him.. get a Miata.
Two guys at the end of the bar started laughing and then said...."He's right.."

Then we all got into a convo about how a new driver could push the hell out of a Miata and learn to drive correctly. Sad that people stereotype them negatively. They are a joy for spirited driving.


Though I did see an automatic Miata at a dealer and felt it was a crime against nature.

Mine is a 2018 ND (version 1) with an E85 tune, coilovers, swaybars, upgraded brakes / lines / pads / rotors, the lightest weight rims I could get for under 300 a wheel.

Zero to 60.... A tuned ecodiesel might beat me to 60... If they got it just right....

But on a track the Miata is likely the most fun you can have..... ever..... I mean I sure love the gladiator especially what it enables me to do (road trips, towing my camper, etc).. But any time I can hit the corners in my miata, it's the the opening scene in super troopers.

 

[terpsmandan]

GDE.
WOT from a stop there's a huge lull between 1 and 2.

I have not noticed that. If I jump on it hard in first gear it’ll spin them easily. Ig I just want to get a way from a light, I wait for second til I hit it. If I really want to launch it I have to put it 4hi and brake torque it to 3000 rpm.

 

[Rusty PW]

Mine is a 2018 ND (version 1) with an E85 tune, coilovers, swaybars, upgraded brakes / lines / pads / rotors, the lightest weight rims I could get for under 300 a wheel.

Zero to 60.... A tuned ecodiesel might beat me to 60... If they got it just right....

But on a track the Miata is likely the most fun you can have..... ever..... I mean I sure love the gladiator especially what it enables me to do (road trips, towing my camper, etc).. But any time I can hit the corners in my miata, it's the the opening scene in super troopers.

Old video. Since then, the car underwent a lot of changes. Like another 300hp.

Sponsored