Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L Supercharger Kit: HKS Performance Upgrade
Grand Cherokee 3.6L Supercharger Kit: Eaton TVS1320
Quick Summary: The Jeep Grand Cherokee carries over 2,200kg of luxury SUV on a Pentastar 3.6L V6 that was tuned for smooth daily driving, not decisive acceleration. The VT Eaton TVS1320 supercharger kit corrects that imbalance with a bolt-on positive-displacement supercharger system featuring water-cooled intercooling and dedicated oil cooling. For Grand Cherokee owners who want genuine performance without sacrificing the refinement that defines the vehicle, this kit transforms the Pentastar from adequate to authoritative. An HKS centrifugal option is also available through AME Motorsport for owners who prefer a different boost delivery profile.
Why the Grand Cherokee Needs More Power
The Grand Cherokee occupies a specific position in the Jeep lineup. It is not a stripped-back trail rig like the Wrangler. It is a full-size luxury SUV built for highway comfort, refined road manners, and the expectation that when you press the throttle, the vehicle responds with authority. The Pentastar 3.6L V6 delivers smooth, quiet operation in factory trim, but it was never designed to move 2,200kg with urgency.
At kerb weight, the Grand Cherokee already faces an unfavourable power-to-weight equation. Add passengers, cargo, a roof box for a family trip, or a trailer hitch with a boat or camper, and the 3.6L starts working harder than its power output can comfortably sustain. Highway merges require longer run-ups. Overtaking manoeuvres demand aggressive downshifts and full throttle commitment. Mountain passes with a loaded vehicle expose the engine's limited torque reserves, and the transmission hunts between gears trying to keep the engine in its narrow power band.
The Pentastar is a well-engineered, durable V6 with the mechanical headroom to handle additional stress. Its problem is not structural weakness — it is insufficient airflow for the vehicle's mass. Bolt-on intake and exhaust modifications produce marginal gains on the 3.6L. The engine needs significantly more air, delivered consistently across the rev range. That is the fundamental case for forced induction.
The Grand Cherokee deserves to be what its size and presence suggest: a gentleman's beast. Power with refinement. The supercharger delivers exactly that — serious performance wrapped in the same smooth, controlled delivery that Grand Cherokee owners expect.
VT Eaton TVS1320 Supercharger Kit
VT uses the Eaton TVS (Twin Vortices Series) platform for the Pentastar 3.6L application. The Grand Cherokee kit is built around the Eaton TVS1320 — a positive-displacement, roots-type supercharger with four-lobe rotors that provide consistent, linear boost from just above idle to redline.
The TVS1320 is mechanically driven from the crankshaft. There is no turbo lag, no boost threshold to reach, and no sudden torque spike that unsettles the chassis. You press the throttle and the boost follows proportionally — precisely the kind of controlled, progressive power delivery that suits a luxury SUV. The Grand Cherokee is not a vehicle where sudden, unpredictable torque spikes are desirable. The positive-displacement design ensures the power increase feels like a natural extension of the engine's character rather than an aftermarket addition bolted on top.
What's in the Kit
The VT Eaton TVS1320 kit for the Grand Cherokee 3.6L includes the complete hardware package for a bolt-on installation:
- Eaton TVS1320 supercharger unit with 3-year Eaton warranty
- Water-cooled intercooler system — dedicated coolant circuit reduces intake charge temperatures for consistent power in all ambient conditions
- Dedicated oil cooling system — maintains supercharger lubrication independent of the engine oil circuit
- CNC-machined mounting brackets — engineered specifically for the Grand Cherokee engine bay
- Belt drive system — complete serpentine arrangement with tensioner
- Silicone hoses and clamps — high-temperature-rated throughout
- All necessary hardware and fittings — gaskets, bolts, and ancillary components for complete installation
3.0L Pentastar Compatibility
VT also offers a supercharger solution for the 3.0L variant of the Pentastar engine found in certain Grand Cherokee models. The same Eaton TVS platform and engineering approach applies, adapted for the smaller displacement. Contact AME Motorsport for specific 3.0L kit availability and specifications.
HKS Centrifugal Supercharger Option
AME Motorsport also supplies HKS centrifugal supercharger kits for the Grand Cherokee 3.6L. Two HKS options are available:
- Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6 HKS Supercharger Kit — dedicated 3.6L centrifugal supercharger system
- Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6/6.4 HKS Supercharger Kit — HKS kit covering both the 3.6L V6 and 6.4L V8 platforms
The HKS centrifugal design delivers boost that increases progressively with engine speed, similar to a turbocharger but without the exhaust-driven lag associated with turbo systems. This means lighter boost at low RPM that builds to full pressure as engine speed climbs. Some owners prefer this delivery for highway-oriented driving where the engine spends extended time at higher RPM.
Both VT and HKS kits are bolt-on systems designed for the Pentastar platform. Both include water-cooled intercooling. Neither includes ECU tuning, which must be sourced separately.
VT Eaton TVS1320 vs HKS Centrifugal: Comparison
| Feature | VT Eaton TVS1320 | HKS Centrifugal |
|---|---|---|
| Supercharger Type | Positive displacement (roots-type) | Centrifugal |
| Boost Delivery | Linear from idle to redline | Progressive, builds with RPM |
| Low-RPM Response | Immediate, full boost available | Lighter boost, builds gradually |
| Top-End Power | Consistent across rev range | Stronger at high RPM |
| Intercooling | Water-cooled | Water-cooled |
| Installation | Bolt-on, no cutting or welding | Bolt-on, no cutting or welding |
| ECU Tuning | Not included | Not included |
| Best Suited For | Towing, daily driving, mixed-use | Highway cruising, spirited driving |
| Warranty | 3-year Eaton warranty | HKS warranty |
The VT Eaton kit is the stronger choice for Grand Cherokee owners who tow, carry heavy loads, or want maximum low-speed responsiveness for daily driving. The positive-displacement design delivers its full boost advantage from just above idle — when pulling away from a stop, merging onto the highway, or climbing a grade with passengers and cargo.
The HKS centrifugal kit suits owners who prioritize top-end performance and spend more time at higher RPM on open highways or spirited back-road driving. The progressive boost build can feel more natural to drivers accustomed to turbocharged vehicles.
Installation and Cooling Design
The VT kit is a true bolt-on system. No cutting, welding, or permanent modification to the chassis, firewall, or engine is required. The factory cooling system, intake routing, and accessory drive layout are all preserved. A qualified workshop can complete the installation using standard hand tools.
Water-Cooled Intercooler
Compressing air generates heat. Hot intake air reduces power output and increases the risk of detonation under load. The VT kit addresses this with a dedicated water-cooled intercooler circuit. Coolant flows through the intercooler core, pulling heat from the compressed charge before it enters the intake manifold.
This design is more compact than a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler and does not require cutting the bumper or blocking airflow to the engine radiator. The water-cooled system maintains intercooler effectiveness regardless of vehicle speed, which means consistent power output whether you are sitting in city traffic, cruising on the highway at 120 km/h, or climbing a mountain pass at reduced speed.
For the Grand Cherokee specifically, this matters. The vehicle spends significant time in stop-and-go traffic, parking structures, and low-speed urban environments where a front-mounted intercooler would receive minimal airflow. The water-cooled system delivers consistent charge cooling in every driving scenario.
Dedicated Oil Cooling
The TVS1320 operates with its own oil supply, completely separate from the engine oil circuit. The kit includes a dedicated oil cooler to maintain optimal supercharger lubricant temperatures during sustained high-load driving — highway towing, extended climbs, and high ambient temperature operation.
Factory Cooling Preserved
The stock radiator, thermostat, water pump, and cooling fans remain untouched. The supercharger's cooling systems operate independently, so factory engine cooling capacity is fully retained.
Key Benefits
- Significant horsepower and torque increase — the TVS1320 delivers substantial gains across the entire rev range of the Pentastar 3.6L
- Linear power delivery — positive-displacement design provides progressive, predictable boost with zero lag
- Instant throttle response — mechanically driven boost available from just off idle through redline
- Strong low-end torque — additional torque available low in the rev range where a loaded Grand Cherokee needs it most
- Refined power character — boost delivery matches the Grand Cherokee's luxury SUV personality rather than fighting against it
- High-altitude compensation — the supercharger forces more air into the cylinders regardless of elevation, maintaining power where naturally aspirated engines lose output
- Bolt-on installation — no cutting, welding, or permanent modification to the vehicle
- Independent cooling systems — water-cooled intercooler and dedicated oil cooling operate without burdening factory cooling
- 3-year Eaton warranty — the supercharger core is backed directly by Eaton's own coverage
- Proven platform — the Eaton TVS series powers factory supercharged vehicles from multiple OEMs worldwide
- Multiple kit options — both VT Eaton and HKS centrifugal kits available through AME Motorsport for the Grand Cherokee platform
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ECU tuning included with the supercharger kit?
No. ECU tuning is not included in either the VT or HKS supercharger kits and must be sourced separately. This is a deliberate decision. The engine calibration needs to account for your specific fuel type, operating altitude, and any other modifications such as exhaust headers or intake changes. A professional tune matched to your exact configuration delivers better power, fuel economy, and engine protection than a generic pre-loaded map.
How does the VT Eaton TVS1320 compare to a turbocharger for the Grand Cherokee?
The TVS1320 is a positive-displacement supercharger, which means it is mechanically driven from the crankshaft and delivers boost proportionally to engine speed with no lag. A turbocharger relies on exhaust gas pressure and introduces a delay between throttle input and boost delivery. For the Grand Cherokee — a heavy vehicle that needs immediate response for highway merging, towing, and daily driving — the lag-free delivery of the TVS1320 provides a more controlled and predictable driving experience. The supercharger also operates at lower exhaust temperatures than a turbo system, reducing thermal stress in the engine bay.
Can I install the kit on a Grand Cherokee with existing modifications?
Yes. The VT kit mounts entirely within the engine bay using CNC-machined brackets designed for the Grand Cherokee platform. It does not interfere with common modifications such as exhaust systems, cold air intakes (which are replaced by the kit's own intake system), suspension upgrades, or exterior accessories. The ECU tune, sourced separately, should be calibrated to account for your complete modification package.
What maintenance does the supercharger require?
The Eaton TVS1320 is a low-maintenance unit. The dedicated oil cooling system requires periodic fluid checks and changes at intervals specified in the kit documentation. The belt drive system should be inspected at regular service intervals. The supercharger itself has no serviceable internal components under normal operating conditions — the unit is sealed and backed by a 3-year Eaton warranty.
Is there a supercharger kit for the Grand Cherokee 6.4L V8?
Yes. AME Motorsport offers the Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6/6.4 HKS Supercharger Kit which covers both the 3.6L V6 and the 6.4L V8 platforms. Contact AME Motorsport for specific details on the 6.4L application.
Related Jeep Supercharger Kits
The Pentastar 3.6L engine powers several Jeep models. AME Motorsport supplies supercharger kits across the Jeep platform family: