VWerks Sports a 392 Hemi Jeep Wrangler JK-8 at SEMA 2012
- 12 Dec 2012
"We're more than a manufacturer,” explained Vice President of Product Development Engineering, Pat Muldoon. "Our goal is to help customers celebrate their passion, whatever it is, through vehicles customized to meet their lifestyle needs." "We've noticed a trend across the country of Jeeps and trucks becoming the new hot rod. Our inspiration really was a 1932 Ford. We wanted to create the feeling of an old-school hot rod, but in a modern, dependable Wrangler pickup."
SEMA was the perfect venue to announce their new 392 Hemi conversion package for 2012 Jeep Wranglers and JK-8s. This JK-8 build was the debut of their first production Hemi Jeep, and was nicknamed "Steel-Bender". As increasing power was one of their main objectives, they would obviously target the engine early on in the build. Having the 392 Hemi calibrated by B&G Chrysler Specialists, they dropped an engine boasting an impressive 465 horsepower at 6,000 RPMs with 465 foot-pounds of torque at 4,200 RPMs between the fender wells. The VWerks/Jeep Speed 392 conversion kit was an essential element of the modification, as was the VWerks/Hotwire Custom 392 wire harness. Also provided by their company, they installed a Jeep Speed dual battery box and a two-row aluminum performance radiator.
Having a long relationship, in excess of ten years, with K&N, Pat Muldoon was confident in the preferred air filtering system. "We're big fans of their product engineering,” he explained. "K&N makes solid products. We also love that they answer the phone; you can call someone up who knows what they are talking about, and get feedback and help."
With the drive train ready and able to perform, the VWerks crew cast their attention to building a suspension capable of holding up to the rigors that a custom off road vehicle might bring. Putting a VWerks 4” lift kit under the rig, they went with Fox External Shocks. The suspension would not meet their expectation if not equipped with a dual steering stabilizer kit, provided by their company, as well as their front stabilizer bar link kit.
Bolting on Pro Comp 17-inch matte black wheels, accentuated with VWerks custom center caps, they would certainly look for quality and performance while choosing a tire. That in mind, they installed four Pro Comp 35X12.5 XMT (mud terrain) tires. Following their conviction to provide SEMA attendees with an eye-catching ride, they went with a VWerks JK-8 conversion. After attaching a premium hood the VWerks team supplied custom paint, pin striping and graphics.
Moving to the back of the vehicle, a few more modifications were in order. Opting to coat the bed with a spray-on liner, they topped the project off with VWerks tubular bed rail extensions. Although demanding and time consuming, the VWerks team had executed their build to the tee. Having previously showed a project vehicle at SEMA, they were aware of what attendees would be expecting. "The biggest thing about SEMA is every detail will be scrutinized,” explained Muldoon "We like to build running vehicles that are fully functional and operational, yet look really cool, and are aesthetically perfect. We try to look at it from the perspective of a journalist; they might point their camera somewhere our eyes haven't looked closely." "Everything has to be perfect,” he continued. "So we start by analyzing our booth space, and what we hope to accomplish through our vehicle builds. Then we plan the vehicle out, and of course, have to build it. It takes a lot of long nights to get it done, but it's always well worth it.” Other Jeeps at SEMA include AEV Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK, Rebeca Olavarrieta's 2011 Jeep Wrangler, the Project Rescue Rubicon 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, BDS Suspension Modified Jeep TJ, Jeep Grand Cherokee Storm Chase Vehicle, Falken Tire's Rubicon Unlimited and the award winning Jeep Wrangler JK Hemi with 4WD. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
