Topic: YJ build ideas

[melbill]

I have a '95 YJ with just over 63000 miles that I am planning to build up. 4 Cyl, AX-5, stock open diff axles 4.88 gears. I know with more power I will have to watch for tranny and axle weakness. I have read several threads on different builds here is where I want to change. I want to build it and leave an opening to add a supercharger. I have read builds that say their compression ratio is to high to add a supercharger so I am trying to figure out exactly what I can do to get as much power as possible while keeping my options open. I know I am rambling so I will wrap it up. Any direction will be appreciated.

thanks   

[Rocko]

Did you check the build threads?

[melbill]

Yeah, I have read a lot of them and have gotten a lot of good information. My question is really how to best build a naturally aspirated engine that wont require a total rebuild to add a supercharger. I want to start the build soon, but won't be able to add a supercharger for a while. I don't want to waste money. This is my daily driver so I can't just let it sit.

Thanks 

[jfrabat]

If you look in the members projects, I think you will have plenty of directions to choose from for a YJ; from an engine rebuild for more power (YJMechanic's) to turbo (Sean's and Joe's).  On mine I have also added a ton of mods, and there are many more there to take your pick.  The main point is, what do you want your Jeep to do?  Once you figure that out, you can see a lot of mods to achieve that.  Because just adding power sometimes is not necessary; for example, Bounty offroads fine with his naturally aspirated 2.5L and big tires (he did change the axle and regeared to 5.38), but if you wheel in the mud pits, then you would probably be better off with more HP... In other words, let's start with what you inted to do, and then we can offer some better advice.

[TahoeYJ]

If you look in the members projects, I think you will have plenty of directions to choose from for a YJ; from an engine rebuild for more power (YJMechanic's) to turbo (Sean's and Joe's).  On mine I have also added a ton of mods, and there are many more there to take your pick.  The main point is, what do you want your Jeep to do?  Once you figure that out, you can see a lot of mods to achieve that.  Because just adding power sometimes is not necessary; for example, Bounty offroads fine with his naturally aspirated 2.5L and big tires (he did change the axle and regeared to 5.38), but if you wheel in the mud pits, then you would probably be better off with more HP... In other words, let's start with what you inted to do, and then we can offer some better advice.

X2, there's lots of different ways to go with a build. But it all comes down to what you'd like it to do. Every 4 cyl seems to be different too. I have no problem pushing 35's with 4:88 gears and the mods listed in my signature. But some folks seem to have trouble just pushing 33's with those gears. Guess it's just the luck of the draw.

I'd like to do a turbo build up someday, but it's a ways off... at least right now it looks like it is. Not the best route to gain power for off road, but I do so much on road driving with mine, I'd rather run a turbo. Plus they sound cool 

[melbill]

My Jeep will remain my daily driver for the foreseeable future and that requires highway driving. I am from the East Coast (New Jersey/ New York) so I see a lot of fire roads and mud but no real rocks like you guys out west.  I have 4.88 gears, and currently I am running 31's but I want to switch to 33's after I cur out my fenders a bit. I've read YJmechanics' build in fact that was what got me thinking about breaking into the engine. I may follow his lead and forget the supercharger (in his build he says it won't work with a turbo/supercharger) bit I really want to keep my options open. I'm doing a lot of reading right now to try to figure out the differences between builds (with or without forced air induction). I am  a bit slow in understanding it all but its coming. 
I do appreciate the input and advice.