Jeep has made plenty of engines during its long and colorful history. Some are spectacularly engineered powertrains that can go the distance, while Jeep does also have a few less-than-stellar efforts. Let’s forget about those for now, and concentrate on the five best Jeep engines as of 2023. This list will contain engines from throughout Jeep’s history, so even if you’re restoring a classic Jeep, we’re confident that you’ll find the best period powertrain for it in our list.
Are you looking for Jeep engine performance parts? If so, hit up our Performance Parts section where you’ll find everything you need to improve your Jeep’s engine performance. If there’s something special or unique that you require, give us a call and we’d be glad to help.
What Are The Top Five Jeep Engines In 2023?
What are the five best Jeep engines, as of 2023? Here’s our list.
The OG – Willys Go-Devil
The Willys Go-Devil is the first engine on our list. It’s the longest-running, sturdiest, and reliable thing you’ll find. A mere 134 cubic inches, or 2.2 liters of displacement, its 60 hp is nothing to write home about, but it also produces 105 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm is far more impressive. If it was good enough for the US military at the time, it’s definitely good enough for civilian use.
The Biggest Boy – The AMC/Jeep 401 V8
Let’s step things up and go for sheer displacement. The AMC/Jeep 401 V8 displaced, as you’d guess, 401 cubic inches and was the largest engine ever fitted to a Jeep. Displacing nearly 6.6 liters, it developed 330 hp in 1971. However, as the Malaise Era took hold, output gradually declined to a mere 215 hp in 1976. It’s a sturdy and long-lasting thing that can produce massive power with a handful of mods.
The Long Runner – AMC Powertech 4.0L
The 4.0-liter AMC Powertech inline six is another durable and long-running powerplant. Rated for around 177 hp to 190 hp depending on the era, over 5 million examples were produced between 1986 and 2006. It’s renowned for being able to take plenty of use and abuse, and keep ticking.
The Current Order – Chrysler Pentastar 3.6 V6
Next came the Chrysler Pentastar V6 that’s still in production. The large 3.6-liter unit can develop a healthy 285 horsepower in Jeep vehicles, and continues to be offered as a result. It’s a smooth runner with decent fuel economy for its size as well.
The Turbodiesel You Want – VM Motori 3.0 V6
Finally, the VM Motori-made 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 found in many contemporary Jeeps can offer 240 hp and 420 lb.-ft., while achieving 30 mpg under a light foot in real-life conditions. That’s a combo of stats that many smaller engines would struggle to achieve in practice.
Great Products To Upgrade Your Engine’s Performance
Let’s look at five great products from us that will help upgrade your engine’s performance. We carry them all, and our friendly experts will help you decide which one suits your vehicle and requirements, as well as provide advice on future mods.
Air Intakes
An optimized and improved air intake will help your engine inhale fresh air freely. This will result in it being able to make more power. Check out our Air Intake Kits section for suitable products, many of which will simply bolt on with no need for modifications.
Exhaust Kits
Now that you’ve improved your engine’s ability to inhale fresh air, why not improve its ability to exhale spent gasses as well? A performance exhaust system will help you do just that. Choose from a range of kits and related hardware in our Performance Exhaust Systems section.
Chip Tuning
To help you get the best out of your new intake and exhaust system, why not invest in a Performance Chip? Sometimes, your vehicle’s stock ECU may not be able to adequately adjust its parameters for optimal performance. This is where a performance chip can help.
Ignition Upgrades
Another useful upgrade, particularly for older engines with contact breaker points is a performance ignition system. You’ll find everything you need in our Performance Ignition Systems section, including kits, plugs, wires and more. Sometimes, a simple replacement of the distributor cap, plug wires and spark plugs can restore your engine’s efficiency.
Supercharging!
Now, if you want more power still, check out a Supercharger System. This mod is a bit more involving and costly, but if you’re interested and committed (and have the dough to match), it’s a lovely project route to go down.
What Should You Look Out For When Choosing An Engine?
What should you consider when choosing an engine? It all boils down to your requirements, usage conditions, and even how committed you are towards maintenance. Here are some factors to consider.
Torque
While it’s nice to have headline power in a sports sedan, for example, torque is more important when off-roading. That’s because you don’t want to have to rev the engine wildly to receive enough torque when you’re stuck in a tight spot, but rather ease your way out in a controlled fashion, using small, measured throttle inputs.
Reliability
How reliable is your chosen engine? You should check online and see what people are saying about it. Does it have any manufacturer faults. Is there a recall pending, or any components that need to be replaced? How does the engine fare under high mileage conditions? These are some of the critical questions.
Fuel Efficiency
With gas prices at their current highs, and not expected to significantly reduce, you want an engine that’s as fuel efficient as possible. While EPA ratings are a pretty good indicator of this, searching and reading user reviews will be far more accurate.
Everything Off-Road At 4 Wheel Parts
Whatever you need for your Jeep or other off roader, we’ve got it all at 4 Wheel Parts. Choose from our amazing array of products and you’ll avail yourself to competitive prices, friendly expert advise and all applicable warranties. You can either swing by one of our stores, or shop from your computer or mobile device. It’s no surprise that many of our customers have been with us for years. We’re sure you’ll feel the same way too.
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