I am a new Jeep owner. Not new to 4WDs but new to Jeeps. I just bought a 97 TJ with 4cyl, 5 speed, 30 X10.5s, Guy at jeep store told me the axles were 4.10's when I bought a speedo gear. It is a bit of a dog and I want to fix this. I know it will never be a real horse but I work out of town and drive 4 hours each way every week. I need more top end power. It will cruise at 70 on flat ground but when I hit a hill it drops off bad. I also have a problem with it sometimes sputtering when I first take off. Doesn't matter hot or cold, just let it sit for 10 minutes and it has a short coughing spell and then gets over it. I don't have a ton of cash so I have to do this as cheap as possible. I am thinking a TB spacer, cold air intake, and cat back. How much gain can I expect and is it really worth it? Anything else I should do?
Performance help
- Thread starter arkypyro
- Start date
Tug-n-pull
New member
Letting it breath is the first step you got that covered with the steps you posted. Might try a replacement electric cooling fan and do away with the power robbing orginal then there is cams headers ect..... the fact will remain the 4 banger though great off road in the 4x4 modes just not all that great on the big ol open roads, Welcome to jeepz always glad to meet new folks around here. Tug
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
Check out www.rustysoffroad.com for an airtube and conical K&N setup, best price out there. Consider installing a 4.0L throttle body and 4.0L TB Spacer. The 4.0L throttle body will bolt right on, be sure to get a '96+ so the MAP sensor will bolt to it. It's all for nothin unless you bore the intake manifold to match the bore of the throttle body, easy to do.
These performance mods should be quite a help with 30" tires.
These performance mods should be quite a help with 30" tires.
Joopin
Super Moderator
Snitty said:
Well I had so many other things I HAD to do (like the exhaust) that I didn't even consider doing it when it was mentioned in other posts. So let me rephrase that... I forgot about the electric fan mod and I am now considering it for my jeep. Oh and don't get me wrong, I still have plenty of other things I'm also considering!
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
Go with a 2speed OEM fan from a early '90s Ford Taurus or Lincoln Mark VII, the ones that came with the 3.8L engine. Low keeps my 2.5L plenty cool, but high is always there to suck small animals through the radiator 
This thing has some cooling power.
This thing has some cooling power.
currupt4130
VT Hokie
please dont waste your money on the tb spacer, for gods sake please dont. get some headers on there with the exhaust and cold air and a 4.0 tb but save your money and dont buy the tb spacer
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
Why so? I noticed a power impovement.
