I’ve owned more V8s than any other configuration and I’d love a V8, but the numbers on this thing speak for themselves:
For a manual, this engine is as competitive or better than the Jeep 3.6.
The Rubicon can be had for $28K with the manual?
Also--none of us have driven the 2.3 with the 7MT. How could you possibly know what it's like, especially with the fact the 3.6 is less powerful?
The Rubicon's 3.6 has 15 more HP than the Bronco's 2.3 but 50 less lb. ft. of torque. I don't know if that optional 4 for the Rubicon gets a stick, but if it does, it has the same HP but with 15 less lb. ft. of torque than the 2.3.
I'll take more torque any day of the week for my usage.
You kind of answered the question. They already have one and there's been no discernible or proffered reason as to why the package is incompatible with the 7MT.