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  • OMG...Prodigy...TURBO!

    Just got the news..... Prodigy wants to throw its hat in the ring with the two killer superchargers that we are testing head to head right now. To give you an idea of what that means, Prodigy's turbo kit for the 3.8 Jeep wrangler engine made as much power as the Supercharged Pentastars make....on paper.

    Here is the dyno chart they post on their website. 350 wheel horse power, and 400 torque. Sounds too good to be true.



    A big note with RIPP and Magnuson, the supercharger gurus, is drivability. Big power is easy, just cram more air in, but does the truck drive correctly on and off road? We are going to find out.

    Particularly off road, where you don't want BURSTS of power. You want an even, predictable gathering of power as you creep and crawl thru difficult terrain. You don't want to be hanging off a rock and have a power burst, it could be catastrophic. Also, the components between the engine and the ground will all be under more strain. So throttle response is paramount.

    Can these guys get a beast like this under control? We'll tell you.
    This article was originally published in forum thread: OMG...Prodigy...TURBO! started by JeepLab View original post
    Comments 251 Comments
    1. Snarf77's Avatar
      Snarf77 -
      Quote Originally Posted by UselessPickles View Post
      Look what prodigy posted on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prodigyperf...604563666514:0

      I was looking around under my hood trying to figure out where in the heck one would put the turbo. This picture is incredibly helpful. It still seems pretty close to a lot of heat sensitive things, like the wire loom towards the radiator (can be relocated a bit north) and the fluid container there. BUT, there isn't anything that can't be solved.

      Technically..in that location it would still leave the ability to add a snorkel. Not that you would want to if you were looking for maximum air flow, but at least it still leaves room to adapt and head up through the hood or towards the passenger windshield/hood cowl where you could exit. Very cool and good find.
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      I think a simple turbo blanket would solve your heat concerns without relocating anything: http://ptpturboblankets.com/why_turbo_blankets.php

      The fluid container should not be an issue because that's on the "cold side" of the turbo.
    1. Snarf77's Avatar
      Snarf77 -
      Quote Originally Posted by UselessPickles View Post
      I think a simple turbo blanket would solve your heat concerns without relocating anything: http://ptpturboblankets.com/why_turbo_blankets.php

      The fluid container should not be an issue because that's on the "cold side" of the turbo.
      Yeah..I was reading a lot on their site and mentioned the turbo blankets back on page 2. I think you'e right in that the blanket would go a long way, even if only to alleviate concerns. The picture is also at an angle, which makes things seem closer than they really are under the hood. Pretty excited now!
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      this kit is completely going into the unknown on power.... A little birdy told me that the base kit might ship set up for 12 psi. (the amount of their top tier kit for the prior model 3.8 wrangler)

      They have a lot of confidence in the pentastar and are not afraid of the extra boost. Their upgraded model, may be well past 12 psi.
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      MOAR BOOST!!!

      Sounds like we will have to start worrying about flipping over backwards in addition to rolling over sideways.
    1. Snarf77's Avatar
      Snarf77 -
      Quote Originally Posted by UselessPickles View Post
      MOAR BOOST!!!

      Sounds like we will have to start worrying about flipping over backwards in addition to rolling over sideways.
      LOL. I can just see you saying that with crazy eyes and a maniacal laugh! "MUAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!"
    1. DukeofJeep's Avatar
      DukeofJeep -
      Man I can't wait to hear more about this 3.6 kit! I am really hoping the under hood temps aren't effected too much, especially a full day of crawling in heat like Moab in the summer. This kit is really getting my interest peaked!
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by DukeofJeep View Post
      Man I can't wait to hear more about this 3.6 kit! I am really hoping the under hood temps aren't effected too much, especially a full day of crawling in heat like Moab in the summer. This kit is really getting my interest peaked!
      DUKEOFJEEP! 1st Post! Welcome. We are happy to have you.

      Here's your reward....an update that I wasnt going to release.... I spoke to Prodigy last friday, and they told me that they are planning to have the kit completed in 10 days! Thats assuming there are no set backs. As soon as one get shipped....its getting shipped here. We will start with an unboxing and disecting the instructions and discuss what pipes run near what components in the engine bay.... And a LOT more. Thousands of pics.... Stay Tuned!
    1. DukeofJeep's Avatar
      DukeofJeep -
      Thank you! I have been following the Magnuson thread on wrangler forum, your efforts are greatly appreciated in all the testing you and your team does. Very excited for your input on this kit especially since you have hands on with two other SC kits. 👍👏
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      Here's another newly-released pic. Still not quite sure where the coolant reservoir moved to (I erroneously previously said it was moved to upper right of image; but then I edited):

    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      Stock engine compartment for comparison:

    1. Snarf77's Avatar
      Snarf77 -
      I can't wait to see how those pipes are routed. It appears like a large portion of the front of the jeep will have to come out to do the install.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by Snarf77 View Post
      I can't wait to see how those pipes are routed. It appears like a large portion of the front of the jeep will have to come out to do the install.
      I want to see if the oil pan gets modded. I was told it would by someone who has nothing to do with prodigy. Its all speculation until we get to see the instructions.
    1. Snarf77's Avatar
      Snarf77 -
      Don't they advertise the kit as bolt-on or nearly bolt-on? That can be loosely used, I know, but that seems fairly extreme. Like you said, we'll know when the instructions come out.

      I recall the RIPP supercharger was "bolt on" basically, but that install required some cutting and modding, and a lot of removal of this and that. Only time will tell!
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      The 3.8 kit required drilling a hole in the oil pan to mount an oil fitting for the return line. I expect the same will be needed for the new kit. See the bottom of page 13 of the install guide for the 3.8 kit: http://www.prodigyperformance.com/v/...1%20Manual.pdf
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      Looks like they do describe the 3.8 kit as a "complete bolt on Jeep turbo kit". I think "bolt on" for major mods like a turbo kit has a bit of leniency to mean "a competent DIY home mechanic can do this in their garage/driveway with basic tools that you probably already have; no plasma cutter or welding required"
    1. Snarf77's Avatar
      Snarf77 -
      Quote Originally Posted by UselessPickles View Post
      Looks like they do describe the 3.8 kit as a "complete bolt on Jeep turbo kit". I think "bolt on" for major mods like a turbo kit has a bit of leniency to mean "a competent DIY home mechanic can do this in their garage/driveway with basic tools that you probably already have; no plasma cutter or welding required"
      Exactly- same as the RIPP supercharger. Competent shadetree mechanics that can read instructions should have a good chance of success!
    1. Pznivy's Avatar
      Pznivy -
      If this thing is so close to release, You guys should be able to at least get a copy of the instructions.

      Climb in thru the bathroom window or something. I read this site because you manage to get this stuff first.
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      How about a JeepLab recon mission? Pay for my round-trip ticket from Detroit to Palm Beach and a night in a motel, and I'll do some interrogations and take pictures. Maybe I'll even convince them to let me drive their test vehicle for some exclusive pre-release impressions
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by UselessPickles View Post
      How about a JeepLab recon mission? Pay for my round-trip ticket from Detroit to Palm Beach and a night in a motel, and I'll do some interrogations and take pictures. Maybe I'll even convince them to let me drive their test vehicle for some exclusive pre-release impressions
      the mission impossible theme song plays in the background....
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