With today's aftermarket selection of turbochargers, superchargers, and even nitrous systems for less than the price of an engine swap, you can easily bring back the driveability you had with the stock-height Jeep rolling on stock-sized rubber.
A lot of people throw boost systems out with one of two myths: "I don't like the lag that is associated with it," or "It just isn't reliable enough." If the turbo or supercharger system is built correctly for your application, there will be no lag to speak of. As for reliability, again, if it is a well-designed and implemented system, you will get your bang for the buck. Look at Cappa's 100,000 miles with Red ("100,000-Plus," January '07). He got 100,000 miles out of the Avenger supercharger on the '01 TJ and wasn't nice to it at all.
The other thing that many people forget when comparing prices of things is ancillary components. To swap an engine, you've got to look at the transmission compatibility, wiring issues, possible fuel delivery issues, and cooling problems-not to mention whether or not the thing will physically fit in the Jeep. There are a lot of added costs to engine swaps that are often overlooked.
Superchargers
Technically, a supercharger refers to any pump that forces more air into an engine, but in common usage it is a belt, chain, or geardriven unit that increases the amount of air going into the engine through means of increasing the pressure. More air into the engine means more fuel can be added to maintain the stoichiometric air/fuel mixture. More air plus more fuel equals more power.
Avenger Superchargers
The company has a long list of available bolt-on kits for Jeeps. Boasting an approximate 80hp increase over stock on a six-cylinder TJ, the company doesn't stop there. From the '91-'95 4.0L YJ kit through all four- and six-cylinder TJ Wranglers to the new '07 JK system for the 3.8L V-6, if you've got a Jeep made in the last 15 years, look into Avenger. Information: Avenger Superchargers; 719/594-4766, www.avengersuperchargers.com
Gator Superchargers
Whether you are interested in literature on how Kaiser and Willys experimented with forced induction or other general forced-induction books, Gator Superchargers has the book you need. In addition, the company has come up with a beltdriven turbo that can be easily mounted in any vehicle and runs cooler than any comparable unit on the market, eliminating costly intercoolers. Information: Gator Superchargers, www.gatorsuperchargers.net
Hurley Engine
Service CompanyBetter known in the Jeeping community as HESCO, this kit kicks the power output of your '87-'95 YJ, XJ and ZJ (without ABS brakes) or '97-'04 TJ up to 275 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. This kit can be installed in three to four hours by anyone with basic mechanical knowledge, and no body lift is needed to clear the supercharger (nor is an intercooler required). Information: HESCO Inc.; 205/251-1472, www.jeepers.biz