I have some time to decide. opinions wanted. LTX or HEMI

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Since you said you like the Mojave sauce, just want it spicier, I think you’d end up with a less spicy sauce by doing this.

Reasoning: To comfortably handle the V8 you gotta get rid of all the Mojave suspension. So then take your 34k or whatever and add to it the cost of a long travel kit, etc etc etc.

For 34k you could build a go-fast sand runner than you could tow to the site with your Mojave lol

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[Lunentucker]

That friggin' thing is beautiful!

 

[Minty JL]

how do you feel about the stock 850re holding up tho?

To my understanding, they're sufficient for the task. When in doubt I would call Bruiser and get the feedback from them

 

[JTPatriot]

AMW4X4 5.7 here. Stock Rubicon axles with 4.88's, 38" Patagonia MT's, Chromoly axle shafts in the rear and RCV's in the front. Daily driven, multiple trips from Ks. to Colorado and Moab Utah pulling an 18' camper and running the trails then pulling back home, 34,000 miles so far, trouble free. Smile every time I drive it.

Do I sometimes wish I had the 6.4? Sure, but only to say "I got a 6.4" the 5.7 has done everything I want and you will be using them in the same rpm ranges, yes the 6.4 shines from 3000 rpm's on up but how often are you in that range?

I am not telling you the 5.7 is what you need but giving you my experience with it. The thing I like about the hemi swaps is you only need one ECU, it is all Mopar components. With the GM swaps you have to have a Dodge ECU and a GM ECU and a way for them to talk to each other. I had one of the early GM conversions in my 07 JKU. It was nice but had a lot of little gremlins that never got worked out. Maybe they have perfected it now, but maybe not.

 

[Jteakus]

Bone stock LS7 will put a big smile on your face and be super reliable.

 

[Jteakus]

LT4 would put a really big smile on your face

 

[Chunky White]

I would be happy with the 5.7 but the 6.4 would make me even happier. I wonder what the difference in fuel mileage is between the two on a Gladiator with 37's?

 

[DiehardTory]

The Pros are all for the LX3

1) aluminum block, save about 100lbs of weight off the front end
2) smaller footprint in the engine bay. Much easy to service in the furture
3) super reliable and parts for them are cheap
4) HP per dollar can't be beat

Check your State Regs..Depending on the state inspection requirements, in some states it might not pass. Big Tire Garage did a show in TN where he said he used the same engine brand as the vehicle for inspection purposes.

 

[Rusty PW]

Something no one has talked about. Emissions. What does your state require with engine swaps?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I would be happy with the 5.7 but the 6.4 would make me even happier. I wonder what the difference in fuel mileage is between the two on a Gladiator with 37's?

I don’t think the MPG difference is enough in the grand scheme. You’re already blowing a ton of money for the swap, might as well go all in.

 

[Chunky White]

Something no one has talked about. Emissions. What does your state require with engine swaps?

Yeah Virginia definitely has inspections so thats a good point. Thank god Tennessee doesn't care or have inspections

 

[dsamora]

My only turn away from the ECO is that deisel ain't my cup of tea. it works but i don't think it fits what the Mojave is. A high revving, quick pace, loose surface, whoop eating, toy. deisel gives it a feel for in tune to a crawler/ work horse. which is why it pairs to the rubi so well. the deisel rubi would have been my out the gate choice then. I like noise, i like V8s, i like speed, i want the torque but i don't wanna lose other features just for it. if that makes sense.

If you like V8s, noise, and speed you’re on the right track.
I‘ve had my AMW Hellcat swapped Rubicon for a month now (bought it used) and it’s everything I’ve hoped for and more. The AMW build quality is top notch. If the Hemi were available from the factory, it would be this build. The fit and finish is what you’d expect from the factory (probably even better) and all of the accessories still function. It’s like getting into a stock vehicle - until you start it up.
As for engine choice, it’s a rabbit hole. The Hellcat is nice, but over the top. I do love the whine of the supercharger though. I get a solid 8 mpg running 93 octane on 37s. Not a daily driver for me.
Go with a hemi, keep it in the family, and build the gladiator they should’ve offered.

 

[WestwallNF104A]

So there's a few swapping companies out there. Bruisers, AMW4x4, RubiTrux (pretty sure they just install AMW kits). I'm not seeing a powertrain platform in the future of the gladiator worth holding out for. I like my Mojave and want to keep till one of us ends in some way. the 3.6 ain't it however. Its a motor, and it works (most of the time). But its the instant mash potatoes of motors as far as I'm concerned. Generally these kits cost in the 35-55k depending on the power your looking for. So I'll list some basic info about what I'm considering and ya'll give that good ol' $0.02 bout it.

Bruisers - LX3 6.6 V8 550HP - stock trans (yikes) - $34k (for a stock trans setup, oof) - plug n' play - 93 pump gas

AMW4x4 opt 1 - 5.7 HEMI V8 395HP 410FT-LB (do ya need more?) - 8HP750 trans (nice) - 34k (still a kick in the pants) - plug n' play - 88 pump gas

AMW4x4 opt 2 - 6.4 SRT HEMI V8 505 HP 475FT-LB (thats alot) - 8HP750 trans (nice) - 36k ish (is the extra power worth the small price change?) - plug n' play - 91 pump gas

DIY - source a LS 5.3 and figure it out. (easy way to ruin a 50k truck and end up on jack stands for a decade, lol)

Magnusson - 3 LKQ spare motors to go with it - need to source a different ECM- 20k

My vote would be for the 6.4 Hemi. 2k extra for the extra power is worth it

 

[Jeeper44mag]

So there's a few swapping companies out there. Bruisers, AMW4x4, RubiTrux (pretty sure they just install AMW kits). I'm not seeing a powertrain platform in the future of the gladiator worth holding out for. I like my Mojave and want to keep till one of us ends in some way. the 3.6 ain't it however. Its a motor, and it works (most of the time). But its the instant mash potatoes of motors as far as I'm concerned. Generally these kits cost in the 35-55k depending on the power your looking for. So I'll list some basic info about what I'm considering and ya'll give that good ol' $0.02 bout it.

AMW4x4 opt 1 - 5.7 HEMI V8 395HP 410FT-LB (do ya need more?) - 8HP750 trans (nice) - 34k (still a kick in the pants) - plug n' play - 88 pump gas

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner. Run on 89 octane all day long which is available *everywhere*, and ~400 hp, & 400 lb/ft torque. Less likely to destroy everything it's attached to, but enough power to be a ton of fun! Screw the supercharger idea, which is going to need a rebuild eventually and will stress out your engine in the meantime. Even if I had $80k to blow on an engine upgrade, this would be my pick.

Luis

 

[TheSolarWizard]

a diesel gladiator with certain things done to it is more fun to drive than a 5.7 just sayin.

360hp/600 tq and way better range than any other option

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