3.8L Upgrades

[HodgieJeep]

I know that alot have the Hemi fever, yet for us that are on a budget to a degree, is there any help for the 08 3.8L Auto's that give us some more steam for highway driving getting to our destinations? Just sad when on a 6% grade the engine is giving all she has and still slows to get passed by all, including mini-vans and soccer mom's. I believe it slowed to 55mph , just seems the 4.0L didn't have that issue, how's come this 3.8L with supposedly more power isn't showing that power anywhere, other than more rpm's.

Now are the Replacement Headers and Cat-Back exhausts with Intakes worth the inverstment and what do they deliver?

Does AEV offer any help by way of products that deliver?

Has anyone had any luck with getting more umph from the 3.8L?

Thanks to all.

[JeepinJon]

The best thing you can do is regear. With the auto most people are running 5.13 with 35" or 37" tires. Other than that there are a lot of upgrades available as far as CAI, and exhausts, which would be my next step. If you are running larger tires one of the better things you can do is reprogram for your new tire size so your shift points are restored. I would not install a supercharger because you are going to get less fuel efficiency, but at the same time be forced to run premium. They are also around $5000 and will reduce te life of your engine.

[AEV Jordan]

Agreed. Changing the gears is probably the best thing I could think of.

Its extremely questionable as to whether aftermarket exausts, chips, intakes will help the performance at all with a Chrysler ETC / NGC (electronic throttle control / Next Generation Controller) engine.

There have been some recent products that offer promise for modifying the calibration of the engines, but unless you plan on running premium fuel and doing more drastic upgrades like a more aggressive camshaft, I'm skeptical as to how much more power you could gain.

Unless the engine controller is recalibrated I would strongly advise against a supercharger. With a correct calibration that route could be efficient. Then again, I think the market for 3.8L calibration is small, much smaller then 5.7L and thats slowly taking off. There is a chance that no one may ever do a 'correct' tune.

Basically, save you money on that stuff for now (IMO).

[Tufjeep]

Thanks Jon and Jordan for responding to that excellent question. I had the same reservations about the power of the 3.8. Would the Superior Axle 4.88's be better for the 35's and the 5.13's for the 37's? Also Jordan, you mentioned about the new ETC / NGC and how adding the other stuff might not work that great. I was planning on doing all that, because I know it helped out my 4.0 for towing and going up hills. It sure wouldn't hurt it, would it? Any more info you can provide on that is much appreciated!
Thanks!