The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is already a formidable machine, boasting a potent 6.4L HEMI V8 that delivers exhilarating performance straight from the factory. However, for enthusiasts seeking to extract even more power, refine handling, and personalize their ride, the aftermarket offers a vast array of performance parts. This comprehensive guide will delve into the world of 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT performance parts, exploring various options, their benefits, installation considerations, and potential challenges. Whether you're aiming for blistering track times, enhanced street performance, or simply a more aggressive driving experience, this article will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and unlock the full potential of your SRT.
Why Upgrade Your 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT?
Unleash the Beast: A Guide to 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Performance Parts
The factory SRT is impressive, but performance can always be improved. Upgrading your SRT with aftermarket parts offers several key benefits:
- Increased Horsepower and Torque: Performance parts like cold air intakes, exhaust systems, and tuners can significantly boost horsepower and torque, resulting in quicker acceleration and improved overall performance.
- Enhanced Handling: Upgrading suspension components, such as lowering springs, sway bars, and performance shocks, can dramatically improve handling, reduce body roll, and provide a more responsive driving experience.
- Improved Braking Performance: Upgrading brake rotors, pads, and lines can improve braking power, reduce brake fade, and enhance safety, especially during aggressive driving.
- Personalization: Aftermarket parts allow you to customize the look and feel of your SRT, reflecting your individual style and preferences.
- Improved Sound: Upgrading the exhaust system can enhance the sound of your HEMI V8, creating a more aggressive and exhilarating driving experience.
- Track Performance: For those who enjoy track days, performance parts can significantly improve lap times and overall track performance.
Key Performance Upgrade Categories for the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT:
Here's a breakdown of the major categories of performance parts available for your 2019 SRT:
1. Engine Performance:
- Cold Air Intakes: These systems replace the factory air intake with a less restrictive design, allowing the engine to breathe more freely and increasing horsepower and torque. Look for intakes with heat shields to prevent hot engine air from entering the intake.
- Benefits: Increased horsepower, improved throttle response, enhanced engine sound.
- Considerations: Proper installation is crucial for optimal performance. Some intakes may require tuning.
- Exhaust Systems: Aftermarket exhaust systems replace the factory exhaust with a less restrictive design, improving exhaust flow and increasing horsepower and torque. Options include cat-back systems (replacing everything from the catalytic converters back) and axle-back systems (replacing the mufflers and tailpipes).
- Benefits: Increased horsepower, improved engine sound, reduced weight.
- Considerations: Drone (unwanted resonance at certain RPMs) can be an issue with some exhaust systems. Compliance with local noise regulations is also important.
- Tuners/ECU Tuning: Tuners allow you to remap the engine's computer (ECU) to optimize performance for aftermarket parts and improve overall engine efficiency. Custom tuning can further refine the tune for specific modifications and driving styles.
- Benefits: Increased horsepower, improved throttle response, optimized performance for aftermarket parts.
- Considerations: Proper tuning is crucial to avoid engine damage. Professional tuning is highly recommended.
- Throttle Body: Upgrading the throttle body can increase airflow to the engine, resulting in improved throttle response and increased horsepower.
- Benefits: Improved throttle response, increased horsepower.
- Considerations: May require tuning for optimal performance.
- Superchargers/Turbochargers: Forced induction systems like superchargers and turbochargers can dramatically increase horsepower and torque. However, these are significant modifications that require careful planning and installation.
- Benefits: Massive horsepower gains.
- Considerations: High cost, complex installation, requires professional tuning, can reduce engine longevity if not properly installed and maintained.
- Headers: Replacing the factory exhaust manifolds (headers) with aftermarket headers can improve exhaust flow and increase horsepower and torque.
- Benefits: Increased horsepower, improved exhaust flow.
- Considerations: Can be challenging to install, may require modification to the exhaust system.
2. Suspension and Handling:
- Lowering Springs: These springs lower the ride height of the SRT, improving handling and reducing body roll. They also enhance the vehicle's appearance.
- Benefits: Improved handling, reduced body roll, enhanced appearance.
- Considerations: Can reduce ride comfort, may require alignment.
- Sway Bars (Anti-Roll Bars): Sway bars connect the left and right wheels, reducing body roll during cornering and improving handling.
- Benefits: Improved handling, reduced body roll.
- Considerations: Can make the ride slightly stiffer.
- Performance Shocks/Struts: Upgrading the shocks and struts can improve handling, ride quality, and overall suspension performance. Options include adjustable shocks that allow you to fine-tune the suspension for different driving conditions.
- Benefits: Improved handling, improved ride quality, adjustable performance.
- Considerations: Can be expensive.
- Coilovers: Coilovers are adjustable suspension systems that combine springs and shocks into a single unit. They offer a wide range of adjustability, allowing you to fine-tune the ride height and damping characteristics of the suspension.
- Benefits: Highly adjustable, allows for precise suspension tuning.
- Considerations: Can be expensive, requires professional installation and tuning.
3. Braking Performance:
- Performance Brake Pads: Upgrading to performance brake pads can improve braking power, reduce brake fade, and enhance safety.
- Benefits: Improved braking power, reduced brake fade.
- Considerations: May produce more brake dust than stock pads.
- Performance Brake Rotors: Upgrading to performance brake rotors can improve braking power, reduce brake fade, and enhance the appearance of the brakes. Options include slotted, drilled, and cross-drilled rotors.
- Benefits: Improved braking power, reduced brake fade, enhanced appearance.
- Considerations: Can be expensive.
- Stainless Steel Brake Lines: These lines replace the factory rubber brake lines with stainless steel lines, which are less prone to expansion under pressure, resulting in a firmer brake pedal feel.
- Benefits: Firmer brake pedal feel, improved braking performance.
- Considerations: Relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
- Big Brake Kits: Big brake kits include larger rotors and calipers, providing significantly improved braking power and heat dissipation.
- Benefits: Massive improvement in braking performance.
- Considerations: Very expensive, requires professional installation.
4. Wheels and Tires:
- Lightweight Wheels: Reducing the weight of the wheels can improve acceleration, handling, and braking performance.
- Benefits: Improved acceleration, handling, and braking performance.
- Considerations: Can be expensive.
- Performance Tires: Upgrading to performance tires can significantly improve grip and handling.
- Benefits: Improved grip and handling.
- Considerations: Can wear out faster than stock tires.
Important Considerations Before Upgrading:
- Budget: Performance parts can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Set a budget and prioritize the upgrades that will provide the most significant performance gains.
- Driving Style: Consider your driving style and how you use your SRT. If you primarily drive on the street, focus on upgrades that improve street performance. If you track your SRT, prioritize upgrades that improve track performance.
- Installation: Some performance parts are relatively easy to install, while others require professional installation. Consider your mechanical skills and the complexity of the installation before purchasing parts.
- Warranty: Upgrading your SRT with aftermarket parts may void the factory warranty. Check with your dealer before making any modifications.
- Tuning: Many performance parts require tuning to achieve optimal performance and avoid engine damage. Professional tuning is highly recommended.
- Research: Thoroughly research the performance parts you are considering before purchasing them. Read reviews and talk to other SRT owners to get their opinions.
Table Price of 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Srt Performance Parts:
| Part Category | Part Example | Estimated Price Range | Installation Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Air Intake | K&N 63-1584 Aircharger Intake System | $300 - $500 | Moderate | May require cleaning and re-oiling. |
| Cat-Back Exhaust | Borla ATAK Cat-Back Exhaust | $1,200 - $2,000 | Moderate | Aggressive sound, may have drone. |
| Axle-Back Exhaust | Magnaflow Street Series Axle-Back | $600 - $1,200 | Easy | Milder sound than cat-back. |
| ECU Tuner | DiabloSport Trinity T2 EX | $600 - $1,000 | Moderate | Requires understanding of tuning parameters. |
| Lowering Springs | Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs | $300 - $500 | Moderate | Requires alignment after installation. |
| Sway Bar Kit | Hotchkis Sport Suspension Sway Bar Kit | $500 - $800 | Moderate | Improves handling significantly. |
| Performance Brake Pads | Hawk Performance HPS 5.0 Pads | $200 - $400 (per axle) | Easy | Improved stopping power. |
| Slotted Brake Rotors | Power Stop Evolution Rotors | $300 - $600 (per axle) | Moderate | Better heat dissipation. |
| Stainless Steel Brake Lines | StopTech Stainless Steel Brake Lines | $100 - $200 | Moderate | Firmer pedal feel. |
| Lightweight Wheels | Forgestar F14 Wheels | $2,000 - $4,000 (set) | N/A | Requires professional mounting and balancing. |
| Performance Tires | Michelin Pilot Sport 4S | $1,200 - $2,000 (set) | N/A | Requires professional mounting and balancing. |
FAQ: 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Performance Parts
- Q: Will upgrading my SRT void my warranty?
- A: It depends. Aftermarket parts that directly cause a failure may not be covered under warranty. However, the dealer must prove that the aftermarket part caused the failure. It's best to consult with your dealer before making any modifications.
- Q: What is the best first upgrade for my SRT?
- A: A cold air intake and exhaust system are good starting points for increasing horsepower and improving engine sound.
- Q: Do I need a tune after installing a cold air intake or exhaust system?
- A: While not always required, a tune is highly recommended to optimize performance and ensure proper engine operation.
- Q: Can I install performance parts myself?
- A: Some performance parts are relatively easy to install, while others require professional installation. Consider your mechanical skills and the complexity of the installation before attempting to install parts yourself.
- Q: How much horsepower can I gain with performance parts?
- A: The amount of horsepower you can gain depends on the specific parts you install and the tuning you perform. However, it's possible to gain significant horsepower with the right combination of parts.
- Q: What are the best performance tires for my SRT?
- A: The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, Continental ExtremeContact Sport, and Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R are all excellent performance tires for the SRT.
Conclusion:
Upgrading your 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT with performance parts is a great way to unleash its full potential and personalize your driving experience. By carefully considering your budget, driving style, and installation capabilities, you can choose the right parts to achieve your desired performance goals. Remember to research thoroughly, consult with professionals, and prioritize safety when making modifications to your SRT. With the right upgrades, your 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT can become an even more exhilarating and capable machine.
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