Dauntless 392 - Project

[Systems_Engineer]

Fellas,
I had a few years away from the forum; career, law school, son, struggling with PTSD and hearing suicide has taken more people from me than explosive (I was an EOD Tech “bomb tech”).

I spent those years learning everything I could about my 22’ wagon and applied my knowledge as an automation engineer to create a simulation software that I used to determine my performance build. Everything is on order, and ~ 3 weeks I will begin the “massive surgery”.

I am calling this build the “Dauntless 392”
“Dauntless” was the name of an A10 warthog flight in Afghanistan and a story for another day - 392…. Well, as wagon owners you should all know that numbers significance.

The theme is a naturally aspirated muscle truck, “a quiet professional” with a low mild rumble until she’s awakened, yet never forgets her roots as a truck. She’s fast and quick, but focused on even torque distribution and embarrassing same year deleted diesels (for about x4 the cost).

Installed Modifications
*feel free to ask about any of these mods. I recorded hours of running data on them all*
- KC PW Light Bar w/ (x4) 8” KC SlimLite
- Durastep M2 Lumstep “powered step ups”
- BW flip ball gooseneck hitch
- Timbren Suspension Helpers
- Borla S-Type cat-back exhaust
- S&B Cold Air Intake
- Pulsar edge

*Waiting on Deliver
- Brian Tooley Stage 2 Camshaft Master Kit
Includes: Johnson Performance Axle Oiled Lifters (buh bye MDS) vvt locker, news gaskets, bolts, the works
- American Racing headers, long pipe, cat
- HP Tuners unlocked PCM (& now access to a dyno!)

* I would appreciate input or haven’t decided
-90mm throttle body
- need better power distribution “center”
- need better aux switch solution.
Most simulations and talking with others outs next bottleneck at traction; but I’m not willing to part with my KO2’s - so I’ll play with PSI and post results when this phase is done! (And updated pictures this week)

 

[Crusty old shellback]

Sounds like a fun build.
My only question is the need for the S&B CAI. Is it better than the OEM CAI on the truck now?

Now that I'm past 100K miles and out of warranty on my '21, I've toyed with the thought of building the motor.

Thanks for your service Brother

 

[dieselscout80]

Sounds like an interesting build.

I wonder if Johnson Performance makes a Axle Oiled Lifters that are MDS compatible?

 

[poorman_pw]

Subscribed.

Not sure what you’re using for aux switches, I put in an Auxbeam 8 gang switch panel and fuse box, but the one with Bulletpoint Solution’s branding on it. I keep it on the rubigrid and right now only have my compressor paired up to it. It’s okay, but there are much nicer switch / fuse box solutions out there.

Looking forward to your engine build. I drive my 25 year old XJ almost daily, switching into the wagon makes it feel like a rocket ship. So if this doesn’t give you the results you want, I recommend getting an old XJ to drive 5 days a week.

 

[Systems_Engineer]

Sounds like a fun build.
My only question is the need for the S&B CAI. Is it better than the OEM CAI on the truck now?

Now that I'm past 100K miles and out of warranty on my '21, I've toyed with the thought of building the motor.

Thanks for your service Brother

(Regarding my service; it was my pleasure.... to be honest, I'd still be there today if not for destroying my hands/shoulders/back while in country and being forced to medically retire).

Completely Stock Engine with ONLY the S&B Installed (Results)
Short Answer: From a pure performance perspective, you won't see much gains generated from just the installation of a CAI. But from an "all around" perspective: a CAI gives the truck it's "acoustic character" and adds the appropriate "sound" to a "performance" engine.

But, given their cost and my love of a good CAI "whistle," I recommend purchasing one.
(this is just my opinion)

If Buying one:
If you live in a dry dusty area of the world - Get a Dry Filter as they are better for such.
If you live in a humid area of the world - Get an oiled filter but note they require a little more special care.
**DO NOT PURCHASE KN FILTERS: why? horrible construct and terrible filtering capabilities. I have seen the inside of a 392 that ran a KN filter and allows far too much through it's "filter".


The data I recorded showed that:
Stock all around: Baseline Data
Stock w/ S&B: Incremental increase to a few "performance" variables, but one could attribute those "increases" to merely data error (eg: environmental changes when recording as I did this on two separate days.

Pulsar Installed w/ stock (using highest performance level): Notable, but minor, increases across several variables

Sounds like a fun build.
My only question is the need for the S&B CAI. Is it better than the OEM CAI on the truck now?

Now that I'm past 100K miles and out of warranty on my '21, I've toyed with the thought of building the motor.

Thanks for your service Brother

Honestly, no. The CAI doesn’t yield much more than the stock and it’s largely moot unless you’re able to move air out quicker as the manifolds are most restrictive than the air flow in. From my data logging of both - they are largely the same but slightly favoring the S&B. Even with the pulsar, but I did notice a larger delta favoring the same in the realm of temps.

However, I am a child , I love a good CAI whistle, and I anticipate the S&B outperforming when I start truly demanding more air. I plan to do a good write up of the differences and data upon completion.

 

[Systems_Engineer]

Sounds like an interesting build.

I wonder if Johnson Performance makes a Axle Oiled Lifters that are MDS compatible?

That actually is an interesting question, I don’t believe so because their targeted audience typically wouldn’t aim to maintain such a feature.

But you did just remind me that I need to research how those function.

 

[Systems_Engineer]

Subscribed.

Not sure what you’re using for aux switches, I put in an Auxbeam 8 gang switch panel and fuse box, but the one with Bulletpoint Solution’s branding on it. I keep it on the rubigrid and right now only have my compressor paired up to it. It’s okay, but there are much nicer switch / fuse box solutions out there.

Looking forward to your engine build. I drive my 25 year old XJ almost daily, switching into the wagon makes it feel like a rocket ship. So if this doesn’t give you the results you want, I recommend getting an old XJ to drive 5 days a week.

I have a mess of **** right now because I can’t find an aux switch box I like.

So I need to identify one quick because what k have is embarrassing & I REALLY need a power distribution solution. I think I am going to add another battery as well, so I want to solve this soon. I’ll check out your switches here shortly.

 

[poorman_pw]

I have a mess of **** right now because I can’t find an aux switch box I like.

So I need to identify one quick because what k have is embarrassing & I REALLY need a power distribution solution. I think I am going to add another battery as well, so I want to solve this soon. I’ll check out your switches here shortly.

Here is how I mounted mine, combination of these products:

https://www.bulletpointmountingsolu..._nDFjTKfJvI9miYNXhZo4fVYb0BxaacN5pQg-B8mWJ6el

Carbon Fiber/Kevlar Hybrid Mount Arm - Matte Finish

Our Matte finish Carbon Fiber/Kevlar Hybrid mounting arms provide industry-leading stability and durability. For use with any of our standard device holders with integrated 20mm balls. Includes aluminum attachment couplers on each end with thumbscrews designed for use with 20mm ball attachment...

www.bulletpointmountingsolutions.com

Auxbeam + Bulletpoint 8 Gang Switch Panel Mount with 20mm Ball

Looking to secure your Bulletpoint or Auxbeam 8 Circuit Switch Panel to your Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions dash mount? This is the device holder for you! This all-aluminum device holder is designed specifically to secure your 8-Gang Switch Panel (including the Bulletpoint 8 Circuit Switch...

www.bulletpointmountingsolutions.com

2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler JL + 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator A-Pillar Grab Bar Mount with 8-Circuit Switch Panel Bundle

Introducing a complete switch panel solution for 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler JL and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator owners. This discounted bundle includes everything you need to unlock total control over 8 electronic devices in your Jeep. QUICK & EASY MOUNT INSTALLATION The A-Pillar mount installs on...

www.bulletpointmountingsolutions.com

19+ Ram HD Battery Tray AuxBeam AR-800 Mount

19+ Ram 2500 & 3500 Battery mount for AuxBeam AR-800 makes running and/or changing accessory positions a breeze. No more cutting and splicing every time you need to change something, just simply pop the cover off unscrew and move. Mounts behind existing hardware on the driver side where the...

www.nhoverland.com

 

[Vdrsnk]

Excited to see this happen. It’s a build I have only dreamt of!

 

[Crusty old shellback]

Check this place out
I think they have a switch panel that replaced the cover in the lower left of the dash, next to the door.

Switch Panels

Command Your Rig: Switch Panels for Ultimate Control

sdhqoffroad.com