Pentastar power increase

[AmosMoses]

I started this thread back in 2023. I highlighted the fact that the Pentastar is just underpowered (for me).

Let me bring this thing up to date

I did manage to get the GPEC5 ECM unlocked and tuned...for a supercharger.

I purchased and installed a Ripp (Vortech) supercharger in late 2025 and finished installing it in early 2026. That all led me to abandon the V6 and any efforts to increase power. The supercharger is noisy and frankly worries me to the point that I have taken zero trips in my Jeep. Anything that sounds that bad just can't be reliable, and I am not walking back from a trail half the way to nowhere (again).

So, I purchased a Hemi 6.4 swap, which I am having professionally done at High Lift in Cincinnati.

That should solve all my lack-of-power concerns...

Yippee!

I told you so. Spending thousands upon thousands of dollars for 1-2 pounds of boost is the most ridiculous thing Ive read on this forum. The other ridiculous thing was that shadowpapa, who bellyaches over cooling issues with hemiswaps, was on board with your project wholeheartedly, never questioning what a big intercooler mounted in front of your radiator, was going to do to your overall cooling capacity.

Iam sincerely happy for you and am excited for this next chapter with your jt however. Sometimes we have to experiment and learn things the hard way. Thats true for myself as well.

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[Hootbro]

I told you so.

He took the risk, it did not pan out. At least he manned up were most would not in the same situation.

 

[AmosMoses]

He took the risk, it did not pan out. At least he manned up were most would not in the same situation.

Absolutely

 

[DanW]

I started this thread back in 2023. I highlighted the fact that the Pentastar is just underpowered (for me).

Let me bring this thing up to date

I did manage to get the GPEC5 ECM unlocked and tuned...for a supercharger.

I purchased and installed a Ripp (Vortech) supercharger in late 2025 and finished installing it in early 2026. That all led me to abandon the V6 and any efforts to increase power. The supercharger is noisy and frankly worries me to the point that I have taken zero trips in my Jeep. Anything that sounds that bad just can't be reliable, and I am not walking back from a trail half the way to nowhere (again).

So, I purchased a Hemi 6.4 swap, which I am having professionally done at High Lift in Cincinnati.

That should solve all my lack-of-power concerns...

Yippee!

What do they charge for that swap?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I started this thread back in 2023. I highlighted the fact that the Pentastar is just underpowered (for me).

Let me bring this thing up to date

I did manage to get the GPEC5 ECM unlocked and tuned...for a supercharger.

I purchased and installed a Ripp (Vortech) supercharger in late 2025 and finished installing it in early 2026. That all led me to abandon the V6 and any efforts to increase power. The supercharger is noisy and frankly worries me to the point that I have taken zero trips in my Jeep. Anything that sounds that bad just can't be reliable, and I am not walking back from a trail half the way to nowhere (again).

So, I purchased a Hemi 6.4 swap, which I am having professionally done at High Lift in Cincinnati.

That should solve all my lack-of-power concerns...

Yippee!

How about this September you come along with me to the drag strip and listen to some of the cars there that wind up 5,000-9,000 RPM, blowers, superchargers, you name it........... you swear some are going to blow. (and many get driven to the track, some drive their vehicles all over the country)

But you have to do what's comfortable for you.

We're so used to quiet engines, that sounds that are different tend to alarm. I consider even modern turbos and other induction methods to be crazy quiet compared to what they are doing and the speed they have to run at.

 

[gentlejax]

I started this thread back in 2023. I highlighted the fact that the Pentastar is just underpowered (for me).

Let me bring this thing up to date

I did manage to get the GPEC5 ECM unlocked and tuned...for a supercharger.

I purchased and installed a Ripp (Vortech) supercharger in late 2025 and finished installing it in early 2026. That all led me to abandon the V6 and any efforts to increase power. The supercharger is noisy and frankly worries me to the point that I have taken zero trips in my Jeep. Anything that sounds that bad just can't be reliable, and I am not walking back from a trail half the way to nowhere (again).

So, I purchased a Hemi 6.4 swap, which I am having professionally done at High Lift in Cincinnati.

That should solve all my lack-of-power concerns...

Yippee!

what was the difference in the 5.7 vs 6.4 swap ? or did you just go with the biggest ?

where did you get ECM unlocked ?

 

[Flyin6]

what was the difference in the 5.7 vs 6.4 swap ? or did you just go with the biggest ?

where did you get ECM unlocked ?

ECM: HP Tuners

The shop I am working with developed their own Hemi swap. THey do not do 5.7's.
and
The cost of the 5.7 has recently gone up a bunch. The delta between it and the 6.4 is not enough to warrant sacrificing the added torque.

 

[Flyin6]

How about this September you come along with me to the drag strip and listen to some of the cars there that wind up 5,000-9,000 RPM, blowers, superchargers, you name it........... you swear some are going to blow. (and many get driven to the track, some drive their vehicles all over the country)

But you have to do what's comfortable for you.

We're so used to quiet engines, that sounds that are different tend to alarm. I consider even modern turbos and other induction methods to be crazy quiet compared to what they are doing and the speed they have to run at.

Bill,
I drag raced for many, many years. I know the sound of screamin' engines. Kind of like it too!
But, this Vortech sounds like it is literally missing some teeth, just awful!

 

[Flyin6]

What do they charge for that swap?

It is less than AMW. I got a special deal since I am the test pig, sort of. I think I'll help them sell these kits or work something out with them. Follow the progress on my build thread and stay tuned...

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/2022-aev-gladiator-rubicon-build.67479/page-70

 

[Tripp]

It’s been fun reading through this whole thread. I can’t help but think, if you had a mansmission in your JT, it would have solved 75% of your problems. Especially considering the manual JT’s ecu is unlocked already.
But, a 6.4 swap sounds the most fun and a great direction to go nonetheless

 

[Flyin6]

Manuals are UNLOCKED!!!!!!!

Holy Tamole...Who knew?!

I like rowing gears, but my knees (one is new) do not ;-)

Yep, the 6.4 will move the "lack of power discussion" to the back room.

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