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Restore power....but how?

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Old 11-11-2009, 04:01 PM
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Default Restore power....but how?

hey guys, me again... still got my 85 jeep. it just doesnt have as much power as id like... cant really climb anything unless its in LO
unknown amount of miles (but high)
-vac lines taken care of
-new oil (just sayin)
-alternator almost completly gone
-32's ( i know this dont help, but i KNOW it should have more power)
sometimes when i get to the crest of a steep incline it doesnt have the power to shred tires to make it up... just labors the engine and rolls back or dies

anything?
thanks guys
Old 11-12-2009, 03:19 PM
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Have you thought about a throttle-body spacer? One of those ones that spin the air/create a vortex...? Or at least the products claim. It's supposed to increase power, reaction time, and gas mileage by misting your gas better. I had one on my F-bird, but couldn't really give you an estimate if it worked well because it was there when I bought the car. The other good thing, it should be reasonably cheap and easy. Even if it only gives you a 5 or 10% gain.

Good Luck.
Old 11-12-2009, 03:23 PM
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Also... what about getting rid of the AC? Is it possible to just skip the pully in the serpentine rotation? I'm new to this Jeep thing, but when the AC went on my Bird I just pulled it and got a different length serpentine belt. Increased the gas mileage a little, might have increased the power over-all, but it was hard to tell because it was a daily driver.

Again, Good Luck.
Old 11-12-2009, 03:30 PM
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You might try an ignition tune up and some seafoam. Maybe remove the piece of cone shaped plastic from the airbox to increase airflow, a aftermarket muffler to decrease exhaust restriction... just a few ideas not sure how much it'll help ya
Old 11-12-2009, 03:32 PM
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Start with the basics. Do a full tune-up first (plugs, wires, rotor, cap, etc.) then you can start throwing power adders at it.

Might want to do a compression check to make sure your block is good.
Old 11-12-2009, 03:38 PM
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i did the seafoam-nada
no exhaust-so no restrictions
carburated-no air box
comp good
rotors cap plugs ok wires not to shabby
:/
Old 11-12-2009, 03:47 PM
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What gears are you running? You should have at least 4.10's if you've got 32's.
Old 11-12-2009, 03:52 PM
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well first you're running a 2.5l 4 cylinder, they dont have alot of power anyways your best bet to add power would be the (cheaper) biggest size spacer for your carb and change your fuel filter so you can flow more gas to the floats, or (expensive) get a better carb one with a higher flow rate than the one you have, or do an engine swap to a 4.0l I6
Old 11-12-2009, 04:00 PM
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yea the 2.5 is weak but i know its more powerful than this... im hinting there might be a problem :/
Old 11-12-2009, 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 85on32+4
yea the 2.5 is weak but i know its more powerful than this... im hinting there might be a problem :/
um.. find 4.0 and an AX15 from another XJ and do a swap, or just go the distance and throw a small block in there, since your running a carb already it a little easier.

or install some new gears, 4.56 would do the trick
Old 11-12-2009, 04:25 PM
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yeah but with lower gears he would not be able to dive a highway speeds without blowing up his motor first, if you know it has more power and you think there is a problem check everything, if its not the engine then it could be the cat is pluged up thats if your running one, if not that could be your problem not enough back pressure= less torque so adding an exhaust could help regain torque
Old 11-12-2009, 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by XJ_SPORT
yeah but with lower gears he would not be able to dive a highway speeds without blowing up his motor first

imo it would help as well on the high way plus get back some mpg and ease the burden on his tranns.

85on32+4 what gears are you running on now and what transmission do you have? The Peugeot?
Old 11-12-2009, 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Long Island XJ
imo it would help as well on the high way plus get back some mpg and ease the burden on his tranns.

85on32+4 what gears are you running on now and what transmission do you have? The Peugeot?
That's what I'm say'n. If he's running stock gears with bigger tires, its bogging down his motor and stressing the trans.
Old 11-12-2009, 05:59 PM
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how much of the exhaust did you take off.... if you took of a lot you might not have enough back pressure.. i guy i work with did that on his car saying it would give him more power... but it diden't. it rob the engine so bad of it's power it would barely move.. it whent from 0 to 60 in 7 sec to 0 to 60 in 15-17 sec.....
Old 11-12-2009, 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Long Island XJ
imo it would help as well on the high way plus get back some mpg and ease the burden on his tranns.

85on32+4 what gears are you running on now and what transmission do you have? The Peugeot?
stock on 3.73, i know about the tires size issue but it used to have more spunk


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