Originally Posted by
Purv-Dawg
I've had to reduce the spark tables down to 12 degrees in the cruising speed range to get the ping down enough while climbing after dropping down out of overdrive. The locked torque converter only worsens the problem and I have added about 15 degrees of retard when it's locked.
I'm going to replace the rear gear within the next couple of weeks but I'm trying to decide on a 3.42 or 3.73 ratio. My main goal has always been to get the best fuel mileage possible so I will likely try the 3.42's. I just don't want to be pissed off at myself for being unable to either stop the ping or decreasing my fuel mileage to the point I don't want to drive it any distance. Power is great but this engine has serious limitations without more modifications than I can afford. These are the main reasons I've stuck with the stock heads, which most people consider garbage. If I dropped a pile of cash on a set of summit racing heads it would still cap out at around 330 horses unless I change the intake, injectors, etc. It would be far less expensive to swap to an LS and it would still get better mileage.
I never intended to increase my tire size as much as I did but I found that there are tons of people who buy brand new jeeps and want wider tires. I don't understand the logic but they sell brand new sets of wheels with tires for considerably less than a set of new tires on the original wheels. I got sick of replacing the original hubcaps every few months. The jeep wheels do require adapters and about an hour of grinding out the ring that prevents them from fitting the spacers but it's not difficult. Although I wouldn't advise an inexperienced person to to it.