Coming up on 200k
- Thread starter Cimmerian
- Start date
With 200K on the clock, you're going to want to strip it down to a bare block. Machine the block, and resurface the heads. You'll want valves and valve springs. Machining the block will require new pistons. There's a good chance you will need a new cam, and a fair chance you'll need a crank.
Frankly, unless you really like building from a bare block, I would just buy a crate engine. That's what I did when my wife hit 200K.
Frankly, unless you really like building from a bare block, I would just buy a crate engine. That's what I did when my wife hit 200K.
I don't think my 3.8 requires that intense a rebuild, it's very well taken care of and that seems more like something you'd do to a Pentastar
. None the less, I do thank you for the advice and it does give me something to consider. I was thinking all the seals, fuel injectors, timing chain, etc.Never the less I did ask for advice and you did give it to me.
What kind of crate engine do you recommend if I decide I want to go that route? I'm looking for a more direct replacement, I don't want to shove a V8 into this thing.
It's not a matter of having taken care of your engine. That's why you are at 200k. Passenger car engines are engineered to a finite reasonable life - typically 150k. So you have already bought yourself an extra 50k with good maintenance. That's not to say that you couldn't go farther. Not every part is going to instantly fail, but the probability goes up dramatically.
In my mind, your choices are to:
1) Change the typical consumables (plugs, etc) and keep driving it
2) Go all in as @Dirty Dog said
If you go with #1 the only thing I would stockpile is $. You're trying to play a guessing game regarding what's going to fail if you start buying parts ahead of time. Better to just sequester some cash so you are ready to pull the trigger if/when something happens.
If nothing is leaking, knocking, whining, smoking, etc I wouldn't open the proverbial patient. If you do, don't go halfway, so the crate/reman engine starts looking like a good option.
The seals and gaskets are definitely going to fail eventually. In fact I've already done a gasket replacement a couple years ago and that did stop my leaks. I've never had any issues with internal engine components thankfully, not even timing chain issues I read that can pop up as early as 50k.
I still have 40k miles until 200k, wanted to be ahead of the game.
I still have 40k miles until 200k, wanted to be ahead of the game.
Being well cared for is why you're looking at a rebuild at 200K, rather than 100K.I don't think my 3.8 requires that intense a rebuild, it's very well taken care of and that seems more like something you'd do to a Pentastar
I've used Blueprint Engines for a lot of swaps. There are plenty of others, but I am most familiar with Blueprint. I used one of their LS3's as the basis for my Corvette build.
A V8 swap is always the best option. You can't just swap the engine, though. It'll be a much more labor-intensive operation.
I had a 383 stroker Chevy in a YJ. My wife has a '11 with the 3.8L. I recently swapped my 3.6L JK for a JL with the 392 Hemi. I am firmly convinced that the 392 is the engine Jeep should have always offered. It's pricey, but if you can swing it... Nobody ever said "Man, I wish my engine wasn't so powerful..."
If my Jeep wasn't also a daily, I'd agree with you but since it's part time off roader instead of full, I can't justify that price. I'm a big fan of going fast as much as the next guy but I can't let my inner teenager run wild on this.
This is my plan for 150k
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My rebuild cost me almost $7k a little over a year ago and, knock on wood, everything is running very smooth. I'll not be going down that road again as those costs would exceed whatever I could get out of it.
I'll be patient and find a 2-3 year-old, low mileage 392 after I sell my JKU.
My rebuild cost me almost $7k a little over a year ago and, knock on wood, everything is running very smooth. I'll not be going down that road again as those costs would exceed whatever I could get out of it.
I'll be patient and find a 2-3 year-old, low mileage 392 after I sell my JKU.
Back when I had my first real off road non-daily driver (mid 90's) Everything had to be made or fabricated for it (it was a 72' scout). The shops said " you should of bought a CJ". Well in 2010ish, I bought a CJ, hoping for some bolt on parts. The shops said I should of bought a TJ. So, I bought one in 2015. Dang it. The hay day was already over. Where is this going? Well, I am usually a day late. I will wear out my JK and then buy whatever else is newer and cool. My love for every Jeep (and scout) I have had has been strong. Both love and hate are good descriptors. My wife, I will keep no matter the cost. My Jeep, has a limit.
I feel it's a little different now with all the telemetry built into cars nowadays. I don't even think a JL can function if you remove the infotainment unit. I know you have the solder the modem out on them to keep out the worst of the tracking. Just shit I don't want to deal with hence why I'll keep my JK going as long as I cant. Are the stupid emissions codes annoying as hell? Yea, but they don't actually interfere with the operation of the vehicle, or phone home my driving habits and GPS data to Stellantis.