Thursday 31st March 2011

Hemi V8 Heading For Jeep Wrangler?

Jeep boss gets bespoke Hemi-engined Wrangler, and it might just be a prelude to a production version...

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The Jeep Wrangler has always been a bit of muscular, unreconstructed brute, so you would think it would naturally lend itself to being paired up with that other Chrysler icon of Americana – the Hemi V8.

Oddly enough, however, that has never happened. But it may be about to, as Montana-based American Expedition Vehicles has bunged Chrysler’s new 6.4-litre (that’s 392 cubic inches in American-speak) V8 into a Wrangler for Jeep CEO Michael Manley.

That makes a Jeep with 470bhp and 470lb ft of torque. Which is nice. But what’s even nicer is that it might not just be the personal plaything of Mr Manley – the car is said to have been built for the purposes of ‘executive evaluation’, which means they might just make a few.

We really like the sound of that, particularly since the insider source for MSN autos, who broke the news, describes the car as able to “go sideways in third if you mat the throttle”. Nice.

Of course, if you fancy a proper old-school off-roader with an absurdly powerful V8  and can’t wait for the ‘maybes’ and ‘ifs’, you could always try the PH classifieds, where you’ll currently find this 1988 Land Rover Defender for sale with a 6.2-litre turbocharged GMC V8 installed...

[300bhp/ton]

It's about time. Guys have been fitting Chevy 350's in CJ's YJ's and TJ's for years. Since the arrival of the JK there are a number of places in the US that'll swap in a 5.7 or 6.1 Hemi motor. Jeep are just missing sales by not producing a factory one.

[Caulkhead]

I could be tempted away from my 90 with a Wrangler V8 Rubicon. Not sure it really needs the full 470bhp though, 350bhp would be more than enough in a Wrangler.

[Garett]

That Landy Yes please!

[Scuffers]

300bhp/ton said:

It's about time. Guys have been fitting Chevy 350's in CJ's YJ's and TJ's for years. Since the arrival of the JK there are a number of places in the US that'll swap in a 5.7 or 6.1 Hemi motor. Jeep are just missing sales by not producing a factory one.

exactly....

older CJ's etc came with V8's, it was only when the YJ came out they stopped.

plenty of people have dropped the ZJ's 4.7 into TJ's, with older NV247 transfer cases

[300bhp/ton]

Caulkhead said:

I could be tempted away from my 90 with a Wrangler V8 Rubicon. Not sure it really needs the full 470bhp though, 350bhp would be more than enough in a Wrangler.

On knobblies I suspect the 230hp of the 3.8 is probably ok too

But there is something appealing to a V8 4x4. I often use my Uncles factory V8 90 which is a complete riot.

[V8mate]

Where's the vote dial thing?

We need to send a message to Jeep with some 10/10 votes!

[300bhp/ton]

Garett said:

That Landy Yes please!

I'm not so sure tbh, those older GM diesels are hugely heavy and don't make much HP. Think about 180hp for the turbo version, maybe a bit more in the last versions as used in the Hummer H2. A TD5 would be a better bet.

Now if it was a Duramax based GM diesel V8, that's quite a different matter

[kbee540]

Yee and indeed Ha! Just something right about a bent eight.

Other half insisted on a Volvo XC90 for the family-mobile. Not that pleased, but at least I got to pick the 4.4 V8 version. Love the rumble on start up and the bark as the revs increase. That doesn't mean there's anything like an increase in speed - just noise - but at least it's a good noise. 470 horses in the Jeep must be very unruly indeed. Perfect.

[Caulkhead]

300bhp/ton said:

Caulkhead said:

I could be tempted away from my 90 with a Wrangler V8 Rubicon. Not sure it really needs the full 470bhp though, 350bhp would be more than enough in a Wrangler.

On knobblies I suspect the 230hp of the 3.8 is probably ok too

But there is something appealing to a V8 4x4. I often use my Uncles factory V8 90 which is a complete riot.

Yep, I've got an old factory 90 V8 CSW from 1989 and even with a Rimmer Bros Sports exhaust, headers, pair of K&Ns and a rejet and retune of the SU's it probably only makes 160bhp, but it's usually more than enough off-road! It does however sound delightfully loud which is handy as it drowns out the whiny LT85 and makes a nice change from all the TDi's.

[Trusty Steed]

mmmmm!6.2litre V8 Defender!

[wotnot]

That Landy is an evil looking beast, whatever horsepower it's making.
Happily it appears to lack any 'one Life Live It' stickers as well. Bonus!

[Scuffers]

wotnot said:

That Landy is an evil looking beast, whatever horsepower it's making.
Happily it appears to lack any 'one Life Live It' stickers as well. Bonus!

Whatever happened to NO FEAR stickers?

[woof]

was just talking about Renegades and Wranglers they other day - my old man was one of the first dealers to import Jeeps - and it was the first "car" that I ever drove.

Still love them

[eisenjj]

Do your research guys! There are many companies including AEV that have been installing HEMI V8's in the JK Wrangler since it came out back in 2007. It by no means is any indicator that Jeep/Fiat will pull the trigger and final take the plunge either.

[john_r]

I would buy one of those in a heartbeat!

[Rum Runner]

I had a 2.8 LWB and that with be just great with a Hemi in it on multi point LPG with some under slung tanks, like my V8 Disco. Would want a manual though not slushmatic.

[bobberz]

IIRC Chrysler themselves have done HEMI Jeep concepts as well. Remember the Hurricane?



Not one, but TWO 5.7 HEMIs providing 670HP!! That was with the original 5.7 345HP Mk3 HEMI. With the new 6.4 that sum would be 940bhp!!!

[Ant.]

That black landy is local,it sounds fking awesome.....

[jbi]

those old GM diesel V8's were crap... even the yanks don't use them and they built the things

As 300bhp/ton said though, the modern Duramax's are something else... if you can get your head around the computery mumbo jumbo

[rutthenut]

Oh yes pleaase.
Had a 4-litre CJ-7 years back, with headers and large exhaust, so made a nice noise. Good fun doing off-road trials as well as on-road larks.
Now have a 4.7 Grand Cherokee with decent cat and exhaust system. The muscle-car sounds from that V8 just put a grin on my face every time I use the loud pedal.