Topic: performance mods for my 2.5

[N8whitie]

 First off I would like to thank everybody for their responses regarding lift questions a while back before I went to work in the Gulf on this horrendous oil spill. All of your answers and opinions were helpful and I can't wait to show the pics once I'm finished.

 Now I have another question. I'm trying to sup up my trusty 4 banger and was just curious on what some of you guys here did and the results. As we speak I'm starting small and putting in a new dist cap, with Bosch platinum plugs and 7mm plug wires. I'm looking at new ignition coils right now and am looking at a Pertronix epoxy filled coil.http://www.quadratec.com/products/17612_1101.htm 

 has anyone replaced the throttle body spacer? That might be next on my list

 For exhaust I'm looking at Banks headers maybe with a Magna Flow cat back system.

 I'll start with that for now. Any responses are always helpful. I'm definitely a good wrench as I am an equipment mechanic but  on pumps and things like that. Suping up an engine is a little new to me so your help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks, Nate



 

[Torch_Ind]

intake and exhaust help also look at the 64mm tb as well as the spacer!!

next is gears

and I went to a accel coil that style and love it!! the bolt on terminals are great!!

[N8whitie]

OK, Thanks man. I'm going to order the throttle body and spacer tonight as well as the Accel coil.  Gearing is coming after the intake and exhaust is done.  Did that exhaust set-up I mentioned sound pretty good. Is there a cheaper route with equal performance as the Banks/Magnaflow combo? What gearing are you running? My Jeep dies going up hills... it seems like the new gears might help with that.

[Torch_Ind]

OK, Thanks man. I'm going to order the throttle body and spacer tonight as well as the Accel coil.  Gearing is coming after the intake and exhaust is done.  Did that exhaust set-up I mentioned sound pretty good. Is there a cheaper route with equal performance as the Banks/Magnaflow combo? What gearing are you running? My Jeep dies going up hills... it seems like the new gears might help with that.

I`m running a pacesetter header. 2 inch exhaust and 2 1/2 muffler "cherry bomb vortex". also bored/port matched intake. 64mm tb. accel high vibration universal coil.  also I'm gear at 4.88's and will go 5.13 and bigger once i get bigger axles "in the future".  running 6 inches of lift and 33x12.5LT15's bfg km2's.

it's still a 4banger but it all the upgrades were noticeable difference.  there is lots of threads on here about all the upgrades.

[sharpxmen]

you'll also need a way to add some fuel, not trying to pimp my FPRs but you'll either need one of those (you can also buy them brand new from hesco) or some bout 5% larger injectors. 

[stan98tj]

i called banks directly and got a decent deal on both headers and catback. im happy with the setup, but i must admit i didnt really look at magnaflow or research em when i was shopping around.

[Mousejockey]

AFAIK there is only one mod that yeilds any noticable return on its investment.
I have herd (But not tried, so I cannot comment on them) that nothing really helps much on the 2.5 =(
The Inertia Ring seems to be the only thing that gets 100% positive returns on the investment.

I have a 2.5L, rod is a knockin  and will rebuild it unless a 4.0 comes across for free.

[sharpxmen]

AFAIK there is only one mod that yeilds any noticable return on its investment.
I have herd (But not tried, so I cannot comment on them) that nothing really helps much on the 2.5 =(
The Inertia Ring seems to be the only thing that gets 100% positive returns on the investment.

I have a 2.5L, rod is a knockin  and will rebuild it unless a 4.0 comes across for free.

the inertia ring won't result in any HP increase but it is beneficial at low rpm. You add rotating mass to the crank assembly and while will help at crawling speeds will take some of the ponies while revving up.

[Jeffy]

the inertia ring won't result in any HP increase but it is beneficial at low rpm. You add rotating mass to the crank assembly and while will help at crawling speeds will take some of the ponies while revving up.

It should also help on hills or anywhere else, you need momentum.  It takes torque to rotate the extra mass not HP.

[sharpxmen]

AFAIK there is only one mod that yeilds any noticable return on its investment.
I have herd (But not tried, so I cannot comment on them) that nothing really helps much on the 2.5 =(
The Inertia Ring seems to be the only thing that gets 100% positive returns on the investment.

I have a 2.5L, rod is a knockin   and will rebuild it unless a 4.0 comes across for free.

I can't get over your statement, while you say you haven't tried anything else you also say that the only mod that gives any noticeable return is the inertia ring and you mention 100% return which i don't really know what that is for sure it's not horsepower. So to make it clear, adding mass to your flywheel will make you lose horsepower and for street and hwy driving will not improve anything. if you look at any performance crankshafts and flywheels they are lighter and thinner than stock, i'm not saying the inertia ring is a bad thing but for sure is not a performance mod.

to have more available power you need to either eliminate some losses (have less power go to waste, that will also improve your mpg) or make more power out of the motor (and for that you need more air and fuel - you cannot make more power without adding those). There are also drivetrain improvements but most benefits are given by proper selection of axle R&P ratio.

It should also help on hills or anywhere else, you need momentum.  It takes torque to rotate the extra mass not HP.

power is a function of torque multiplied by rpm.

EDIT: Power_HP=(Torque_ftlb*RPM)/5252

[N8whitie]

I'm going to be getting the Tb and spacer sometime next week, just got a message and I'm stoked on it.

As for the axles I was thinking of the Super 30 and 35 upgrade kits with ARB lockers. Seems like a good deal since I'm not going to be throwing a 350 or racing KOH or anything. I've heard that these kits perform great for what I'll be doing which is alot of camping and trails.

[Torch_Ind]

you'll also need a way to add some fuel, not trying to pimp my FPRs but you'll either need one of those (you can also buy them brand new from hesco) or some bout 5% larger injectors. 

oh ya sorry sharpxmen I have his fpr to!!

[sharpxmen]

I'm going to be getting the Tb and spacer sometime next week, just got a message and I'm stoked on it.

As for the axles I was thinking of the Super 30 and 35 upgrade kits with ARB lockers. Seems like a good deal since I'm not going to be throwing a 350 or racing KOH or anything. I've heard that these kits perform great for what I'll be doing which is alot of camping and trails.

you'll find that a lot of guys will tell you not to throw money at the D35 - it's not just the axles but the housing and ring/pinion size as well. I can tell you that the tubes will flex very easily, i built a fixture to weld a truss on mine and i could see deflection on the tubes just by tightening the nuts on end braces by hand (probably they were flexing in the housing but it was not taking much), not trying to discourage you - it took a lot of truss to make it rigid on my end. A super 35 kit will make it lot stronger that's for sure but there are still weak points.

Just giving you a heads-up on what you should expect as far as answers.

Seems to be generally agreed that the D30 is a strong axle but it can use stronger u-joints. If you go with the 30 spline in front you'll need a new carrier as well, same for the rear (they are usually only available with lockers from what i remember but you're already planning for that).

[N8whitie]

I was just reading a few articles and write-ups and they were all saying that same thing. I'm a pretty good welder and wouldn't have a problem fabbing up a truss but I'd rather go with the solid strength of a D44. I guess there are certain components that I should't penny pinch on. I saw a D44 out of a Waggy for 300. I have to check it out and see what I have to do to it then try to find a matching front. I don't have a garage so I have to use my moms or friends when I can to do any real work like axle builds and installs.
 I'm reading about alot of jeepers going for the 2.5 to 4.0 swap because the 2.5 is so tough to find performance mods for. The 4.0 definitely has ALOT more options but for some reason I like having the 2.5..... something about it, I dunno. I'd feel pretty sweet clearing the same trail as another truck with a bigger engine in my 4 banger and regeared axles.

[sharpxmen]

I was just reading a few articles and write-ups and they were all saying that same thing. I'm a pretty good welder and wouldn't have a problem fabbing up a truss but I'd rather go with the solid strength of a D44. I guess there are certain components that I should't penny pinch on. I saw a D44 out of a Waggy for 300. I have to check it out and see what I have to do to it then try to find a matching front. I don't have a garage so I have to use my moms or friends when I can to do any real work like axle builds and installs.
 I'm reading about alot of jeepers going for the 2.5 to 4.0 swap because the 2.5 is so tough to find performance mods for. The 4.0 definitely has ALOT more options but for some reason I like having the 2.5..... something about it, I dunno. I'd feel pretty sweet clearing the same trail as another truck with a bigger engine in my 4 banger and regeared axles.

i am experimenting with my D35 so i can't tell you if it will last or not (is not finished yet anyway, i am for sure taking my time getting it back on the road) - it is for sure really strong, but the bearings and carrier are the same size so still weak. Lots of guys are going 8.8 route also for the benefit of rear disks.