Engine Performance Upgrades

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

streetsnake

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2022
Messages
99
Reaction score
30
I’m curious to know if there are any recommended mods that can easily be done to help increase HP/Torque/responsiveness. Or would money be better spent on driveline improvements. Just kinda curious.
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,178
Reaction score
1,825
Location
B.C. Canada
The oem air filter box work very well, you might pick up a few extra HP with a less restrictive exhaust.
I spent my $$ on an OME 927/948 spring lift with JBA 4.5 upper control arms etc. It rides now like a smooth sports truck!
What drive line improvements are you referring to? Re-Gear or aluminum drive shaft etc?
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,450
Reaction score
3,649
Location
Southeastern Ohio
Doing quality lift and larger tires then a regear
Then enjoy , Libertys will never be confused with a HP Mustang , not what they are built for
 

streetsnake

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2022
Messages
99
Reaction score
30
Doing quality lift and larger tires then a regear
Then enjoy , Libertys will never be confused with a HP Mustang , not what they are built for
Yep. You’re exactly correct. I
The oem air filter box work very well, you might pick up a few extra HP with a less restrictive exhaust.
I spent my $$ on an OME 927/948 spring lift with JBA 4.5 upper control arms etc. It rides now like a smooth sports truck!
What drive line improvements are you referring to? Re-Gear or aluminum drive shaft etc?
gotcha. I have all the lift goodies coming. I was thinking gearing and lockers. i Probably wouldn’t go that route as we don’t have a lot of good off-road spots here. I’ve heard the magnaflow is the correct exhaust if we ever get an aftermarket one. :)
 

duderz7

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2016
Messages
1,499
Reaction score
1,256
Location
Weiser, ID
Doing quality lift and larger tires then a regear
Then enjoy , Libertys will never be confused with a HP Mustang , not what they are built for
I don't know?..some jack'a'nerple on fb told me my kj was more mustang than jeep? I seem to remember you've mentioned running a small tube from airbox to behind grill? Worth doin? Details on setup?
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,450
Reaction score
3,649
Location
Southeastern Ohio
Yep. You’re exactly correct. I

gotcha. I have all the lift goodies coming. I was thinking gearing and lockers. i Probably wouldn’t go that route as we don’t have a lot of good off-road spots here. I’ve heard the magnaflow is the correct exhaust if we ever get an aftermarket one. :)
Magnaflow does well, sounds good plus the fact you can still talk to people riding with you
some like flowmaster have a real loud drone at highway speeds
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,450
Reaction score
3,649
Location
Southeastern Ohio
I don't know?..some jack'a'nerple on fb told me my kj was more mustang than jeep? I seem to remember you've mentioned running a small tube from airbox to behind grill? Worth doin? Details on setup?
Just a piece of 3 inch flexible tube from left side of the grill ( looking at the Jeep from the front ) running back into the airbox with hole cut into the airbox in front
Not sure how much it helps but I do know when you rev it up with hand over the end of the hose you can feel it suc king the air in
On the 03 since I don't do very deep water crossing any more , the hose goes down through the hole where the washer bottle was, to just behind the bumper
04 comes through grill
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,450
Reaction score
3,649
Location
Southeastern Ohio
Yep. You’re exactly correct. I

gotcha. I have all the lift goodies coming. I was thinking gearing and lockers. i Probably wouldn’t go that route as we don’t have a lot of good off-road spots here. I’ve heard the magnaflow is the correct exhaust if we ever get an aftermarket one. :)
I run Trutracs front and rear in the 03
The 04 I have had a mixture of ARB/Trutrac, both ends Trutrac etc
stay away from lunch box lockers ,
 

Blue Gen

New Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2021
Messages
10
Reaction score
2
I’m curious to know if there are any recommended mods that can easily be done to help increase HP/Torque/responsiveness. Or would money be better spent on driveline improvements. Just kinda curious.
What about a Jeep Liberty Performance Chip? Vortex..ck online. ? Might be BS ?
 

NavyStore

New Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2021
Messages
23
Reaction score
9
Location
Everett, WA
I added a K&N Intake to mine, and the performance was night and day! No dyno results, but the launch when you hit the gas is instantaneous and she's gone from slug to jack rabbit, but I did lose about 1MPG overall. I didn't need to go overboard on mods, (I flat tow it behind my RV and daily driver to work) but this was just what I needed to get out of my neighborhood and onto the nearby State Highway.

 

Davo1

New Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2022
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
What's everyone's thoughts on a throttle controller to improve the engine responsiveness ?
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,450
Reaction score
3,649
Location
Southeastern Ohio
I added a K&N Intake to mine, and the performance was night and day! No dyno results, but the launch when you hit the gas is instantaneous and she's gone from slug to jack rabbit, but I did lose about 1MPG overall. I didn't need to go overboard on mods, (I flat tow it behind my RV and daily driver to work) but this was just what I needed to get out of my neighborhood and onto the nearby State Highway.

One of the best airfilter according to many tests over the years is NAPA GOLD filter
One of the worst , K&N , They are great for short runs like on dragsters etc , but longevity, no
Just a word of advice
 

Johnny O

Just hangin' out.
Joined
Apr 29, 2021
Messages
2,520
Reaction score
3,465
Location
Bellevue NE
Snorkel and Apollo intake got my wife cussing first time she drove mine after installation. Not much different than her stock, but noticeable. Disclaimer, this set up requires religious preventative maintenance so is not for everyone.
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,450
Reaction score
3,649
Location
Southeastern Ohio
Anytime you do a mod to any vehicle it reacts like its completely changed
On KJs just remove both battery cables, tie them together for 30-40 minutes
hook them back up, pull out on the road and drop the hammer
You'll swear it has 100 more HP , it will stay that way for a while then it relearns
you're driving habits
I used to have to drive downtown Columbus ( Ohio ) daily
Before any trip I'd do that and it ran a whole lot better
But was it in my head or ??? LOL
 

KKinTexas

Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2018
Messages
31
Reaction score
12
Location
US
Yep. You’re exactly correct. I

gotcha. I have all the lift goodies coming. I was thinking gearing and lockers. i Probably wouldn’t go that route as we don’t have a lot of good off-road spots here. I’ve heard the magnaflow is the correct exhaust if we ever get an aftermarket one. :)
I have a Gibson exhaust. Better sound, no drone. Felt a little better off the line, but it's a Chysler 3.7. Dependable, not a racer.
 

Dutchman61

New Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2023
Messages
5
Reaction score
7
I’m curious to know if there are any recommended mods that can easily be done to help increase HP/Torque/responsiveness. Or would money be better spent on driveline improvements. Just kinda curious.
I now have a Jasper Engine and Jasper transmission in mine. Will be putting in different fuel injectors which are different than the factory ones. But not until I can put a 3 inch duel exhaust with headers on it. when I connected the original exhaust, the engine sounded like it was being choked. So it is rather lod now but it literally launches when I stand on it and it shifts to 2nd gear. I have changed out the Stock air cleaner for a doubled cold air flow set up. Took the insulation off of the hood and cut in vents in the Hood for good air flow. I will have pics up very soon.
 

Dutchman61

New Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2023
Messages
5
Reaction score
7
I had to get one of these very reliable batteries for this project under my machinists recommendations because I was stepping up my Horse power about 100 HP and didn't want any low voltage readings when programming the installed motor and transmission from Jasper Engines.. Along with a double filter air induction, performance fuel injectors, A slight larger throttle body,
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
performance coils and NGK plugs. ?And Yes , this thing will smoke the tires on demand, everytime. I believe I will be changing the exhuast to a 3 inch with headers verfy soon. Seems she wants more exhaust when I get on the throttle. She is dying to open up more. When I am satisfied with the performance and the readouts, I will try to post a video for here.
 

Auzteeboi

New Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2024
Messages
2
Reaction score
2
I’m curious to know if there are any recommended mods that can easily be done to help increase HP/Torque/responsiveness. Or would money be better spent on driveline improvements. Just kinda curious.
I'm personally working that out myself. I have the earliest model so for me personally getting that driveshaft and drum brakes out is my goal. As far as engine performance the only thing I've come across is a engine balancer that's pretty gnarly. I am looking at some potential canidate parts like maybe bore out the 3.7 to a 3.8 so Newedge Mustang parts can fit? Like I said I'm not completely certain of any of this but I'm spitballing as well as venturing ideas bc I'm very curious as well. Suspension would also be a good look for us, I drift my Jeep and I'm telling you stock suspension is WAY too soft, like in general too. I would like to look for some Dakar style suspension, something I can squat but it can still have some gnarly travel and soak up punishment on terrain. Transmission is no good, I have the auto so its a little more durable but still, we pushing 20+ year old cars to this point somethings gonna wanna break. I also thought about engine swapping a 4.7 from a Grand Cherokee, as far as I know they bolt right in and undoubtedly there are good engine parts for those considering its a v8, internals a engine balance and turbo kit that's what I want to shoot for whether we find out how to make the 3.7 a monster or if we can just slap the 4.7 in there call it a day.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Top