Here is my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD 5.2L with your Mopar Performance Computer and the K&N Performance Kit at Kerr Lake Colorado. This is next to the town of Platoro in the San Juan Wilderness. You should have seen the goat trail that lead here. It's marked Jeep trail with the no symbol over trucks and cars. Altitude aprox. 11,000 ft. Picture taken Aug. 2000.

4/4/01
Well, the MOPAR performance computer and the K&N filter charger didn't last long. I recently installed this Vortech Supercharger on my Grand Cherokee Limited. It's a Jeep Thing, You Understand.

5/26/01 Here's the latest mods to my '96 Grand Cherokee Limited.

The engine now has roller rockers with a 1.6:1 ratio to complement the roller tqppets and cam. There are also new aluminum valve covers so the rockers have room to operate. The exhaust now has a set of ceramic coated Edelbrock tubular headers and Y pipe, full flow cat converter and a turbo muffler.

The suspension has been upgraded with the 2.5" Old Man Emu spring lift, shocks and 1" spacers. For a lift of 3.5". The tires are left stock due to stresses on the drive train. :-)

I have also added a digital vacuum/boost guage built into the tach display. The spare tire now resides on the outside of the vehicle on a OEM rear spare tire carrier.

My Grand Cherokee now has quick disconnects on the front anti-sway bar. This latest trip proved why they are needed. It also has the Mopar dual speed radiator fan from the '98 5.9L with my own design adjustable dual speed electronic speed control and a 136 Amp alternator and the Dana Trac-Loc in the rear Dana 44 differential. The supercharger did help to climb Raton pass. I have now gotten it dirty and have broken and bent things, and you thought it just went fast. :-) 8-22-01

I get quite a bit of email about my supercharged Jeep so here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Q: Would you put a supercharger on again?
A: Yes! It's a blast to drive. There's nothing like smoking a Mustang in a 4WD SUV "daddy car".

Q: Where did you get the parts?
A: See the links below.

Q: What was your first engine setup?
A: Mopar Performance Computer, K&N Filter Charger with the cold air dam, and Turbo muffler.

Q: Can you use a throttle body spacer with the K&N Filter Charger?
A: No. It will put the intake plenum too high and the hood won't close.

Q: What is your current engine setup?
A: Vortech Supercharger, K&N Air Filter, Ceramic coated Edelbrock tubular headers, Hughes 1.6:1 roller rockers, Turbo muffler, stock 2.5" diameter exhaust pipe.

Q: What about a full flow catalytic converter?
A: My ZJ already has the honeycomb converter. So it's already full flow. There is a O2 sensor after it and the computer measures the catalyst efficiency so it's best that it stays so it will pass state emission tests

Q: How does it compare to the first setup?
A: It definitely has better acceleration. My friend has my first setup now. I drove his then mine. My current setup pulls away stronger and faster from a full stop.

Q: Would you recommend a Vortech Supercharger?
A: YES! Most definitely. It should add about 80 hp to your stock engine by itself. Besides, it sounds really great.

Q: Why a turbo muffler?
A: I had a Flowmaster, but it was too loud once I installed the headers.

Q: What is your current horse power output?
A: I estimate about 330 hp.

Q: Can you spin the tires?
A: No. My ZJ is 4 wheel drive. Power is divided between the front and rear wheels so they don't spin. It will spin all 4 on wet roads though.

Q: What was the cost of both setups?
A: See the following. It does not include labor. I did all this myself. I don't want to even think about the blood, sweat and tears. The first setup: Mopar Performance Computer: $279.95, K&N Filter Charger $259.95, Turbo muffler $120.00. Total $659.90 Second Setup: (Including shipping with prices rounded off.) Supercharger $3050.00, Headers $450.00, Ceramic coating of headers and Y pipe $260.00, Turbo muffler $120.00, Roller Rockers $290.00, Mopar valve covers $110.00. Total: $4280.00.

Q: What's the difference in acceleration between the first and second setup? How does it feel?
A: The first setup felt almost the same as the second before I installed the headers and rockers on initial take off from a full stop and overall acceleration. With the rockers and headers, no comparison. The supercharger is much better.

Q: Why did I install a supercharger if the first and second setup feels the same?
A: It's a Jeep Thing! Because I can. It's also my hobby, and the supercharger was purchased for me as a joke that got out of hand. I installed an ISP running FreeBSD and I do LAN work on the side. This was for the installation and LAN. I like toys instead of money. I already have a good job. They asked me what I wanted and I told them I wanted a Vortech supercharger for my ZJ as a joke thinking that they wouldn't go for it. The next thing I knew there was a large box on my door step. They saw my Wrangler and knew I could not keep my hands off of a stock Jeep so they decided they would help me out. :-) This of course was OK with me!

Q: Can you run the Mopar performance computer with the supercharger?
A: No. There is detonation even without boost. I tried it and I got detonation even on moderate acceleration, premium fuel and 60 deg intake air. This is bad.

Q: Do you want to sell the Mopar computer?
A: Already sold. Sorry, too late.

Q: Do you want to sell the K&N Filter Charger?
A: Already sold. Sorry, too late.

Q: What type of gas can you run with the supercharger?
A: Vortech says minimum 92 octane. I found I can use 87 octane. But I have to retard the timing under boost more than with 92 octane gas. Under normal acceleration and driving it does just fine on 87 octane. I have not tried regular. Too scared.

Q: What was your fuel mileage with the first setup?
A: In town I had 14.5 mpg when driven sanely. 19.5 mpg at 70 mph on the freeway. With stock diameter tires.

Q: What is your fuel mileage with the supercharger?
A: I noticed a 1.5 mpg decrease in both city and highway driving. With or without the air conditioner on. However due to driver enthusiasm I do get less at times. Sometime as low as 10.5 mpg city. With stock diameter tires.

Q: What engine modifications would you recommend?
A: All of them. However the minimum I would recommend is the K&N Filter Charger with the cold air dam and Turbo muffler. Because the air that goes in the engine must come out and the freer it is to do so the better. With the minimum modifications you should get better fuel mileage and more power because the engine breaths better. With the Performance Computer you must run 92 octane gas but you get even more power. If you install the supercharger, at least install the headers. When I put the headers and the rockers on, it made a world of difference. The engine revved up faster, seemingly easier and the acceleration was smoother. The ceramic coating on the headers helps keep the heat in and the rust off. The rockers open the valves more so you get more air in and out. They also reduce drag and wear on the valve train. The engine already has a roller cam and tappets. Before I installed the headers and the rockers the boost would stop at 3 psi because the belt would slip and it felt like a turbo with a noticeable power surge at 2500 rpm. After I installed the headers and the rockers the drive belt would no longer slip so I now get the full 6.5 psi boost at 4500 rpm and acceleration is smooth.

Q: What is your 0-60 mph time, and your 1/4 mile time and speed?
A: I have not taken it to the track yet. I just got my transmission to shift correctly so I may go shortly. I do not street race it. I don't want the ticket or me or my Jeep destroyed. The closest strip is an 1/8 mile strip.

Q: What other engine modifications do you intend on performing?
A: I am looking at the Hughes level III ported and polished throttle body and a 180 deg thermostat.

I hope I have answered most of your questions about my modifications. If not feel free to ask.

Disclaimer:

All of the above and below are my own opinions and observations which come from what I have experienced during the many modifications I have made to this Jeep and my other Jeeps. What you experience may be different. I bear no responsibility for your results, actions, inactions or anything that happens to you, your wallet, your vehicles or to anyone or anything else by using, misusing, or referencing the above information. Use at your own risk. No warranty. Do not fold, spindle or mutilate. Always keep the rubber side down and body parts inside the vehicle. Always wear your seat belt. Do not exceed the speed limit. Do not street race. Do not drink and drive, you may spill some. Stay off the phone while driving! Don't blame me for the spelling. Blame the spell checker. I include this paragraph for all the sue happy people on the planet and/or for those that won't take responsibility for their own ignorance or stupidity.

Details and links for the modifications installed or uninstalled on my 1996 5.2L 4WD "arrest me red" Grand Cherokee Limited. In 2000,2001

K&N Filter Charger:
Details about the K&N Filter Charger are located at: http://www.knfilters.com

MOPAR Performance Computer.
Purchased from: http://www.jeepconnection.com/parts/index.html So far they are the ONLY place that has it at a descent price. The dealer wants $600.00. I have already re-sold it since I could no longer use it.

Vortech Supercharger
Details for the supercharger are located at: http://www.vortechsuperchargers.com
Purchased from: http://www.summitracing.com/ They where the cheapest and the shipping is included in the price. It is not listed so you must call. Get the part number for your year from Vortech.

Roller Rockers
Details and purchasing for the roller rockers are at: http://www.hughesengines.com/general/rockers/magnum_rockers.asp Also check out their throttle bodies. http://www.hughesengines.com/general/intakes/magnum_throttle_bodies.asp I have not purchased one ..... yet.

Edelbrock Headers
Details for the tubular headers are at: http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/index.html

Ceramic Coating
The headers were ceramic coated to keep the heat in and keep them from rusting at: http://www.jet-hot.com They were done using the Sterling finish. The finish looks better than chrome and lasts much longer. I have 2000 miles on them now and they have not changed color or deteriorated.

Turbo Muffler
Purchased and installed at my local AAA Muffler shop.

Suspension Lift
Details and purchasing for the Old Man Emu lift are at: http://www.rocky-road.com/suspensions.html So far they are the only people I found that have them for the ZJ.

Digital Vacuum Gauge
Details and purchasing for the digital vacuum gauge are at: http://www.dakotadigital.com/products/home.htm They have the florescent display that closely matches the dash. Choose green. It is the closest color match. It can be taken apart and installed in the dash. But do so at your own risk. It will void the warranty. Soldering required.

Spare Tire Carrier
The OEM rear spare tire carrier was purchased from: http://www.thinkjeep.com It is not listed. Call.

Battery
The battery is an Exide Orbital. Details are here: http://www.exide.com/products/productdetail/orbital_automotive_starting.html It is the same thing as an Optima but costs $83.00 instead of $140.00 Purchased at my local Exide distributor. Not reseller.

Details for upgraded anti-sway bars both front and rear at: http://www.addco.net