Car Wizard on 3.6L

[NachoRuby]

I am on my 5th vehicle with a Pentastar engine. Having own all three generations of it, I find it to be a decent engine, but not one I would put on a pedestal as being bullet proof. Nor would I let my Jimmies get ruffled if a Youtuber has a negative opinion on it.

Nothing is bulletproof. Except the i6 4.0, haha.

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[ShadowsPapa]

I am on my 5th vehicle with a Pentastar engine. Having own all three generations of it, I find it to be a decent engine, but not one I would put on a pedestal as being bullet proof. Nor would I let my Jimmies get ruffled if a Youtuber has a negative opinion on it.

I've only seen one bullet proof engine and you don't want it in a Gladiator.................

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Nothing is bulletproof. Except the i6 4.0, haha.

Actually if you change the oil, they pretty much are.
But putting one in a Gladiator wouldn't be ideal. Perhaps fun as a "something to do just because I can", but that's about it.

I've not seen truly bullet proof engines (well, a 232 we were unable to blow up even after trying....). Every engine has something about it that could be better.

 

[NachoRuby]

Actually if you change the oil, they pretty much are.
But putting one in a Gladiator wouldn't be ideal. Perhaps fun as a "something to do just because I can", but that's about it.

I've not seen truly bullet proof engines (well, a 232 we were unable to blow up even after trying....). Every engine has something about it that could be better.

180 hp and 215 ft lbs in my 5000 lbs gladiator? That would be misery. Someone will do it, I'm sure, just because

 

[ShadowsPapa]

180 hp and 215 ft lbs in my 5000 lbs gladiator? That would be misery. Someone will do it, I'm sure, just because

Top was 190 HP and 235

Or..........

The record-breaking build comes from Concord, North Carolina-based Newcomer Racing, which decided to vanquish the 4.0's longstanding power record of 692 horsepower and 777 pound-feet of torque, or blow a no-expense-spared motor trying.
Said motor was assembled from an all-star cast of aftermarket parts and modified AMC components, which started with the block from a WJ Grand Cherokee, chosen for its thicker cylinder walls and extra reinforcing ribs.

 

[Skdmarc]

Other than being underpowered this is the 2nd 3.6 I've had the first being in my 16 300c w/ awd never had an issue put 45k on that one have 14k on my 21 Mojave no issues period

 

[Rzrhawg]

I usually agree with everything the Wizard says. He does have a lot of knowledge and explains things very well in his videos. Except this one. Since everyone references the 3.6L as a "minivan motor" I can confirm 64,000 trouble free miles from our 2018 Pacifica. The 3.6L was one of the reasons I wanted a Gladiator. Hopefully it wont let me down.

 

[u-joint]

While it was completely unloved, the Chrysler 3.8L was a pretty bullet proof engine. That thing got a lot of hate, but it was rock solid in terms of reliability.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Other than being underpowered this is the 2nd 3.6 I've had the first being in my 16 300c w/ awd never had an issue put 45k on that one have 14k on my 21 Mojave no issues period

I can't call it underpowered since it towed my car hauler (5,000 pounds worth) as well as my Chevy with LS engine did. It didn't even have to reach the RPM level of the LS to make the hills. To me, that's not under-powered if it can tow a load like that, easily keep the speed limit of 65 (TOWING speed limit in many states, including Iowa, is 65). I had no trouble towing. I wish the truck was a bit wider but then I did opt for the Overland so that was MY choice. It's not underpowered, IMO, if it can tow 5,000 pounds on the hills of eastern I80 here with ease.
Will it win races? Naw, for that I have another car........... Most don't buy trucks for racing purposes.

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