HP and torque increase mods

[Georgia Mike]

I was just on the home page and saw some disappointing info concerning my recently purchased '83 WT Cherokee. It's got the 360 V-8,and the main reason I bought it is for towing my trail rig. Upon looking at the engine specs,it shows my version is the weakest of all the 360's. :( Is there anything that I can do to improve the torque (1st) and HP (distant 2nd). The engine/tranny/t-case are all in tip-top shape,as they've all been gone through in the last 15,000 miles,so,I really don't want to get into replacements,just any little things that I can do to make some improvements. I don't have to worry with emissions in my area,so,if anyone has some suggestions,please shoot 'em out! Thanks! :D

[oddfire]

I guess the main issue would be what kind of smog issues do you have to deal with? An intake and carb swap will get you better performance, but may not be allowable depending where you live. A different cam, an ignition upgrade{TFI or H.E.I.} fuel injection and a free flowing exhuast will also all help. Depending on your wallet and the law, there are things you can do and people in you neck of the woods that have done them, I'm sure will chime in........phil

[brielly]

Why not run a 4 barrel carb (lots to choose from in that category), tfi or hei upgrade, and scrap all that emissions eqipment which is just robbing your vehicle of torque and hp. If you have some cash to spend holley projection would be even better. NO emissions? I'm jealous

[turtlejoe]

What gears are you running? Could be a slight bump in ratio may help more than you would think, but at the cost of fuel economy. Just another idea to tinker with.

[Georgia Mike]

It's all stock,I beleive. The air pump is missing the pulley(the pump's locked up),but all the air tubes and stuff are still there. I don't have the $$ for a carb swap,or a gear swap,either. All are good suggestions though,and thanks! My current gear set is 3.31,the transmission has a shift improver kit,too. Stock single exhaust(I like it quiet,BTW),with a catalytic converter and all. I don't know about the cam,as to whether it's a stock grind or not,but it's got a smooth idle. It all just runs so good that I hate to mess with it,but on the other hand I don't want to destroy it by over working it,either. I guess I just need some $$. Just Empty Every Pocket,eh? :( Tell me more about this TFI/HEI upgrade. I've heard some talk of it,but don't really know the in's and out's of it,like what improvements can be had by doing it,etc. Thanks guys!! :D :D

[ February 23, 2003, 05:30 PM: Message edited by: Georgia Mike ]

[oddfire]

http://www.trailhed.com/duraspark%20upgrade.html

http://www.trailhed.com/images/V8Upgrade.txt

http://www.performancedistributors.com/index.html
http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=016014
http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/

here ya go, also do a search on this site under those topics, good luck................phil

[ February 23, 2003, 06:08 PM: Message edited by: oddfire ]

[Georgia Mike]

Hey! Thanks for the links,and I'll do a search for more on it later. I have a question though. My '83's stock ignition is what type? Electronic or points type? All I know is Andy (the PO) replaced the coil with an Accell unit(same type as original). Sorry I haven't investigated this any further on my own,by looking under the hood. I'm just getting into the FSJ thing. Thanks again for the info! :D

[Will Morris]

Mike, it should be electronic unless it's been swapped out. How much are you planning on towing anyway? My 78 was only quoted at around 185 hp stock with something around 250 lbs of torque, but with headers, Edelbrock intake and carb, I've towed our boat and hardly noticed it was there, stopping was another story. As long as you've got it tuned well, with 3.31s and 31s or smaller I don't think you'd have any problems towing 5,000 lbs or more. Just my opinion though. Big hills may be slow and just watch the temp.

Will

[Aaron]

I use my 86 to tow a car dolly with cars I work on all the time. I usually tow SAABs, and they weight about 3200lbs. The dolly probably weighs another 300lbs. I don't have any problems. 250ft lbs of torque is plenty. In my opinion, the weak link for towing is the rear suspension. If what you are towing has substantial tounge wieght, the back of the Jeep will sag down.

[Georgia Mike]

OK,so I've got electronic ignition,do I still need the TFI mod?

As far as total weight towed is concerned,my XJ weighed around 3500# stock,so it's probably in the 4000-4200# range right now. I have no idea what a 16' equipment trailer or car hauler weighs,anyone out there know? Anyway,that's about the most I'll be towing,EVER! I really don't see me hauling it more than say 150 miles one way per trip. But the main thing that concerns me is that 150 miles is usually up and down and over the mountains. It's got the factory towing package with the giant tranny cooler and reciever hitch. I know this question will seem funny by today's standards,but how much will air shocks help out the rear suspension when towing this setup? Thanks again guys! I'm learning more every day. smile.gif

P.S.--I'm running 31X10.50 BFG A/T's

[ February 24, 2003, 01:21 PM: Message edited by: Georgia Mike ]

[jode]

Originally posted by Georgia Mike:
OK,so I've got electronic ignition,do I still need the TFI mod?
Yes, it will still help :D

Another thing to consider that is sposed to help lowend torque is to grab the driverside stock exhaust manifold off a pre -80s (or so) wag that came with the quadratrac. It will complement your passsenger side exhaust manifold, should be easy to find and swap, and it should be cheap. You driverside manifold design is slightly compromised in order to clear your differential. However, this mod can only be done if you have a lift of some sort.

On the subject of cheap stuff, when I had my exhaust replaced, I had then install 3" pipe and a stock muffler off a Chevy 454. It is larger than stock FSJ, a little grumblier, but it doesnt wake up the neighborhood by any means :D

As far as getting your hands on a 4v carb, don't count yourself out so quickly, there are cheap manifolds and carbs to be had. I just sold (I think) a 4v stock intake manifold for $25 and I know there are a ton of cheap used carbs floating around on this forum that fit on it....jsut a thought.

[Georgia Mike]

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep an eye out on the classifieds section for a deal on one. :D BTW,did you notice any loss in torque when you went to the 3" exhaust?

[KYJ10]

Just been reading your post and Im about to swap in an edlebrock performer intake. I will let you have my stock 4bbl intake for $25. Just a thought, Dennis

[jode]

Originally posted by Georgia Mike:
did you notice any loss in torque when you went to the 3" exhaust?NOPE, but I swapped to the 3" at the same time that I swapped my 401 to a different one, so there really was no comparison...

[Georgia Mike]

KYJ10-I think you've got a deal! As long as the shipping's not too much :( Like I said,I'm broke right now :( :( How much does it weigh? And what's your zip? Thanks! :D

[smithly]

Hmmm ... Air pump locked up, right? Be prepared to buy a replacement cat as the unburned HC's that are passing through it as a result of incomplete combustion are fouling the cat and it will soon be nothing more than toxic waste. Course, if the emissions requirements don't require you to have a convertor, rip that POS outta there, plug the manifold and dump the pump.

Good Luck,
Lee Smith
'84 GW (The Money Pit)
401, MSD6A, TF727, NP229
3.31 Dana 44 & AMC20
4" Skyjacker, Rancho 9k's & 31" BFG AT's
Chandler, AZ
smithly_2@cox.net

[Georgia Mike]

Well,I started the long process today. I went by the local muffler shop to get an estimate for a new tailpipe. I originally asked for 3",but they said the biggest they could do was 2.5",and they could do that for $65. Thought that was a far price considering Auto Zone wanted $45 for a stock replacement 2" (or 2.25"-didn't get the size from the guy)with the good ol' crinkley bends,and me having to install it,too. So,I figure I'll save up a little cash,buy a good aftermarket muffler(any suggestions--single exhaust--**not loud**--but good sound??),let them do the tailpipe and install the muffler,I'll go home and finish it up with a cat and y-pipe.

I read an article a long while back (like 1-2 years ago) in a Car Craft or Mustang magazine. They did a side-by-side comparo of mufflers and cats. In the cats section,they had the top manufacturers products (all I can remember is Catco & Random Tech.)head to head against against each other. When it was all over with,they stated "just for a baseline comparison",they put a stock (genuine GM) Chevrolet fullsize pickup's catalytic converter on the machine to see what it would flow. It outflowed all the aftermaket units! Hmmm..... Kinda makes you wonder,huh? Anyway,that's probably what I'll go looking for in the U-Pullit yards soon for a replacement for my puny little unit. smile.gif

[Georgia Mike]

OK,day #2. Finally a nice day out! Adjusted the carb and it seems to run much better. The exhaust doesn't smell overwhelmingly rich anymore. That's a good sign! :D No hesitation when I stomp on the gas,before it would stumble so bad I thought it was gonna choke off before it picked up and went. More updates later.