What are you estimating for HP and torque?
Too much HP and way too much TQ. ;) But seriously, the 6.1 was right around 425/425 bone stock. Just on cubic inch increase it should be up around 14%, but since most of that CUI gain comes from stroke I suspect torque will have an out-sized gain.
Then there's the exhaust we built. It still has cats, mufflers, etc. but is going to be way higher flowing than stock passenger car stuff. It also has a bit more cam than a stock 6.1, a better valve job (but no head porting), and a few other advantages. If I just figure 20% improvement of flywheel numbers it should make ~510 HP and ~510 TQ. With the big stroke I think it might be more like 510/550. The one "gotcha" is I'm trying to keep the stock 4.7 HO airbox and duct it to the 6.1 SRT8 throttle body/intake. That airbox and duct will probably choke it out a bit on the top end, but shouldn't really impact low-end torque.
And do you think the 44's will hold up or will we see some custom width ProRock 60's on it?
Maybe? I've slaughtered 10" ring gears in way lighter vehicles (sand rails that were around half the weight) with similar horsepower. It's all in how it's driven and used. My 44s are as built as it gets, and I'm "just" on 35"s. If I bounce the thing in the rocks under power, it's going to destroy something, but it'll probably be the u-joints in the driveshafts first.
This rig won't ever get 60s because it's just too clean and too nice. And more than that, there is SO much custom work on the axles for the trusses/4-link setup, bypass shocks, hydraulic bump pads, etc. that it's not like I can just order D60s for a WJ from ECGS and bolt them in. It'd be starting all over with fab. I just ordered all new wheels/tires for it so I can put big brakes on it and I'll put these wheels/tires on my XJ (well, already did). I really, really wanted to go to 37" but it would have required so many changes that I just stayed with 35"s. This thing isn't going to be an Ultimate Adventure type build.
Can I break the 44s or basically anything in this rig with this motor even on 35"s? Yup. But even if I put ProRock 60s in it, new driveshafts and 14-series u-joints, an Atlas t-case (cuz the 242HD will become a weak point if the axles, driveshafts and u-joints are addressed) I will be able to break something if I'm dumb enough.
So, we're going to find out if I can wheel it reasonably, camp out of it, and always drive it to/from the trail with this setup or does it just hurt parts all the time. That will dictate next steps.
-TJ
