Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

What are the best three power upgrades for the 3.6L V6?

162K views 84 replies 43 participants last post by  Tyler-98-W68 
#1 ·
I just bought a 2015 3.6L V6 Outland 4x4. I am wondering what are your thoughts on the best power upgrades for the v6 engine? I do not care about sound or noise, I want to increase low end "power" of the engine. I have searched and it seems most are more interested in making the engine louder or changing the tone of the engine. At least that seems the goal of most installing a CAI or Cat-back exhaust, etc.

I want the Outland to be "stronger" at the low end. Any thoughts on upgrades that can be done without tearing into the engine like a supercharger?
 
#3 ·
Im not sure if its just spell check getting you or what, but you do realize its an Overland and not an Outland right? Sorry, just had to make sure :D

As far as power I cant help you with that. When I had my 2012 Overland V6 I left the engine alone. It seemed to have ample power, but it was that old tranny that hurt it so much. Im sure with the new 8spd things feel better,
 
#4 ·
Ripp has a super charger available. Quite pricey, but apparently worth it. It's a "bolt on", not much less you can do to add power without tearing into your engine. There is no chip or computer tune that will do anything to give you more power. Short of that, the next "least invasive" change is the Ripp super charger. After that you get into pulling the engine apart.
 
#6 ·
What he said.
Also, be prepared to open up your wallet for increased fuel costs, some of which will occur whether or not you try to use the increased power or not, but others due to the drop in mileage if you do.

Before you open your wallet too far, get some costs on a complete turbo kit plus installation, then compare that to possibly schmoozing a sales type into trading it for the Hemi/Overland where you won't blow your engine warranty.
 
#10 · (Edited)
I just bought a 2015 3.6L V6 Outland 4x4. I am wondering what are your thoughts on the best power upgrades for the v6 engine?

I want the Outland to be "stronger" at the low end. Any thoughts on upgrades that can be done without tearing into the engine like a supercharger?


Your best performance upgrade for either an Outlander or an Overland would be a trade-in !
 
#11 ·
I've been using K&N filters for years. They don't really do much but make it feel a little more responsive, which may be what you are looking for. There's no "Wow." Nothing is going to boost HP or torque with an outlay of $$.

I have no experience with Jeep performance chips and modding, but those exist and could help add power to an existing engine. But even then the more powerful ones are best paired with upgraded exhaust systems and so on, to provide a noticeable but modest power improvement, still short of actually having a different engine, i.e. Hemi V8.

I say live with it, and make a different choice next time if that's important to you. I have a 3.6 Overland, and compared to my previous 3.6 Laredo, it feels stronger and more responsive with the 8 speed.
 
#12 ·
Look, I made my own cold air intake snorkel that draws air in front of the vehicle and I also have an aFE Power filter and I hacked the stock air baffles creating a smoother, laminar airnflow into the engine.

Not only do I swear that it feels more peppy and I get some 2 mpg better fuel economy but...but I raced on private grounds of course from 40 to 75 against a similarly engined Overland (mine heavier by 100 lbs due to skid plates) and I won each time. The owner of that Overland is here on these boards and attends the Chicagoland meetings.

But while this modest power gain is welcome, it pales in comparison to what a simple reflash can do to a turbo car. A reflash on the Jeep most likely would net the same gains I have with my tree shade engineering and none of the warranty voidance.
 
#31 · (Edited)

Attachments

#19 ·
I just bought a 2015 3.6L V6 Outland 4x4. I am wondering what are your thoughts on the best power upgrades for the v6 engine? I do not care about sound or noise, I want to increase low end "power" of the engine. I have searched and it seems most are more interested in making the engine louder or changing the tone of the engine. At least that seems the goal of most installing a CAI or Cat-back exhaust, etc.

I want the Outland to be "stronger" at the low end. Any thoughts on upgrades that can be done without tearing into the engine like a supercharger?
With more low end being your interest be very studious about any exhaust mods. Less restriction from either less "obstacles" in the system or larger pipe diam will rob low end torque but give it back +/- in the mid+ range...but it will sound cool :)
 
#22 ·
Why did I not buy the v8? Good question. First, it is a more than $3,000 additional cost. Second, Gas will go up, and I do not want a 13-16 mpg truck when gas goes back over $3.50/gal. It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when. Third, I drove the v6 and v8 and was surprised how peppy the v6 felt.

I am just looking for a little more low end grunt. I do not need a v8 power boost, but a little bit more v6 power would be nice. Something I can do in my driveway and mods costing less than $1,000 would be nice.

TO be honest, I am shocked the v6 has not been worked on because it accounts for more than 80% of Jeep GC sold.
 
#28 ·
Second, Gas will go up, and I do not want a 13-16 mpg truck when gas goes back over $3.50/gal. It is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when.
If you got your Jeep to produce more power, do you think that would require MORE or LESS fuel? :rolleyes:

I am just looking for a little more low end grunt. I do not need a v8 power boost, but a little bit more v6 power would be nice. Something I can do in my driveway and mods costing less than $1,000 would be nice.
$1000 won't buy you much, Maybe a 50/100 HP shot wet nitrous system.
 
#24 ·
There are benefits to the pentastar, while not as much appreciated as the power that the hemi delivers... The Hemi is old and that means it's HEAVY! I read somewhere online that the pentastar handles slightly better and stops about 15 feet shorter than the hemi. So agility is something gained. If only it wasn't gutless on torque like the rest of the V6's in the class. The Traverse/Acadia/Enclave, Explorer, Pathfinder and I'm sure there's a few more... All down on torque :( it's like a trend among the SUVs in this class. They'd probably get better mpg if they had more torque. It wouldn't take half a tank of gas to get the pig moving if had some torque. But that's just my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
 
#30 ·
I average 19 in the hemi with mixed driving (highway in the morning, stop and go traffic in the evening). On my latest road trips I averaged 23.

I hate to say it but, as Jeremy Clarkson says on numerous occasions, "You brought the wrong car man!"

I am sure the V6 is nice and it is rated on paper with a nice amount of horsepower but for the low end stuff you want torque and the hemi has gobs of it. I just did a track event this weekend and towed my track car with a dolly and my hemi WK2, it worked like a charm and had plenty of grunt to get it moving. I bought the hemi for towing and was willing to accept the gas expense consequences but I was quite surprised to find it does better than my wrangler did.

I know this information isn't helping you as you already purchased the vehicle but the hemi really isn't as bad as others make it out to be. To quote Jeremy Clarkson again, "it's not what you drive, but how you drive it."

To mimic what others have said: short of a power adder, there really isn't anything you can do to get more torque. The only other thing is to change the gear ratio but I don't even think that is an option on these things like it is on the wranglers and other vehicles like pony and muscle cars.
 
#34 · (Edited)
Greetings,

Of course the simple answer would be, get the Hemi.

I found with my V6 that a cold air intake and the diablosport has given be a small bump up in performance which I like. The JGC is more responsive in the middle area. Now it is a question for me if an exhaust will give me an more performance. These 3 items together will average you around $1,500. to $2,000.00 depending what you get. Converting into a dual Cat-Back will add a significant cost to your budget. There is much debate if it is worth it at all.

As for fuel mileage right now, it about the same. Depending on speed & terrain, I get from 21.5 to 24 mpg.


Best for now.:)
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top