AEV Installs 6.4L HEMI in Jeep JK Wrangler
October 25, 2007 -
Jeep aftermarket supplier American Expedition Vehicles(AEV), in conjunction with the Chrysler Corporation, will debut a monster 6.4L 392 HEMI engine in a Jeep Four Door show vehicle for the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show.
Does this mean a similar HEMI conversion is coming for the new Wrangler JK model?
You bet. AEV founder Dave Harriton confirms that AEV will announce the availability of turnkey 5.7L and 6.1L HEMI conversions for the popular new Wranglers.
The Montana and Michigan-based AEV has already performed hundreds of HEMI conversions on the Jeep Wrangler TJ model. Customers have been strongly requesting a HEMI for JK. Harriton took greater pains to integrate the new JK with the HEMI powertrains to lower costs and ease production.
“Our new JK HEMIs will set the standard for engine conversions,” says Harriton. “We tooled up many new parts specifically for this application. It looks and feels like it came from the factory.”
AEV has earned a reputation for making a splash at the annual SEMA show, and their HEMI conversion on the Jeep JK should not disappoint.
The 6.4L, 525 hp HEMI Wrangler will show as a concept vehicle in the Chrysler display. The Mopar Performance crate engine will feature a fully-integrated OE-style electronics module developed by AEV. The truck will also have an AEV HEMI-integrated heat-reduction hood. AEV has built a strong working relationship with the Jeep brand, and has won four Chrysler Design Excellence Awards in the last ten years.
Asked if the 6.4L will be offered to AEV customers (in addition to the 5.7 and 6.1), Harriton said: “We’ll gauge the interest. The technology is already there to properly integrate the stand-alone engine package with the OE electronics on the vehicle, so it wouldn’t be that difficult to offer.”
AEV will have a further SEMA presence at the Kicker Audio OEM display. The Kicker vehicle will feature a JK Wrangler Unlimited with AEV’s Expedition and Appearance packages, including an AEV bumper, hood, wheels, skid plate, and a custom appearance group option.
So the CRD conversion is coming out when?
Comment by rmack — October 25, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
I think your guys work is great…always have.
I know the Hemi’s are going to sell like hotcakes but please consider doing something for a diesel swap! I know the Liberty 2.8 didn’t work out so well for the TJ, but I hope that there is either a future diesel factory option in the USA or that you guys offer the conversion with the factory 2.8 diesel from overseas or the 3.0 CRD from the Grand. Till there is a diesel option I’m not going to upgrade my jeep. I think the JK has good promise but Jeep totally dropped the ball on the powertrain.
Comment by Mieser — October 27, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
My vote would be for the 4.2L cummins
Comment by DChavez — October 29, 2007 @ 9:28 am
I am with them. I won’t swap engines before there is a diesel option, and you guys are the one’s who should offer it. Something that can wow us like the HEMI line would be ideal. I would say this is a widespread wish.
Comment by Parkhill27 — November 5, 2007 @ 1:12 am
I myself am kinda torn between a HEMI and a diesel. Because the 3.0L Diesel found in the Grand Cherokee is the same one as in the ML 320 CDI, and because the Benz makes more torque, it would be logical to find the Benz running gear for the swap.
Comment by Whosdis — December 3, 2007 @ 2:18 am
I too am highly interested in the 3.0L CRD JK swap. I think it is a natural and should have been the destination for the CRD not the Grand Cherokee. My father has an ‘07 Grand CRD and it is obviously superior to even the Hemi for everything except burnouts. A BioD conversion could be a secondary upsell, and qualify for possible tax credits as alternative fuel?
AEV is like the Jeep Skunkwerks, you guys always have the best ideas and execute as well, if not better than the OEMs.
Comment by Josephus — February 13, 2009 @ 12:33 am
Where’s the CRD conversion??? Lame, lame, lame!
Comment by Cyber Joe — March 18, 2009 @ 8:33 pm