400SB Chevy into a 94' XJ

[SSCherokee]

my suggestion is get a detailed plan set up. set everything in stages and in as much detail as you can before you start any buying or starting on the project and change your "master plan" as you go. this may prevent you from running into problems later down the line and find yourself wasting alot of money. also take pictures, this may not be as important for you swaping engines and all but it will probly prove itself usefull when your putting it all together.

I agree... and i am planning on pulling the engine out of the Trans AM and preping it completely befor i even start messing with the XJ... i think it would be much easier that way.

And Pictures would be a great idea, if only to keep you guys informed on the progress.. i'll start by trying to get some pictures of the crappy cond. the XJ and the engine (of which is still in the firebird) is in at the moment. and try to post them soon. and i warn ya.. there in pritty ruff shap.

 

[SSCherokee]

Not if you're careful. Besides, you'll find that going with fuel injection will actually give you MORE power, BETTER fuel economy (both in small but significant amounts) and you will have an easier time wedging everything in under the hood.

Consider this - a 1972 Datsun pickup with 1995 Corvette running gear, from the engine fan to the axle. It all fit - and wouldn't have if it weren't carburetted (not my project - but I almost bought it from a guy in Pacifica. I just didn't feel like going to a Smog Referee every alternate year...) It all fit under the hood, without breaking the hoodline. Talk about a sleeper!

Don't get too married to anything specific - you'll find a lot of projects like this will change as you work on them.

I don't want to discourage you - I think it's an admirable project, and I can't wait to hear how it comes out. But, remember that 71 Bug I mentioned - that one took me about two and a half years to get working right... This should be easier, but it won't be easy. REDSHIFT should be easier - it's mostly machine work!

5-90

Hmmm i so don't wanna make this any harder then it allready is, at least untill i find out for sure what kinda engine it is for sure... because i'm having a sneeking suspition that it might be a tid bit harder if it's a pontiac 400 insted of a Chevy 400 >.>

also i don't think i can get around cutting into the firewall.. the engine is just to long. maybe after i get a pic of it up someone can tell me what it is.. I'll try to get one tomarrow, if i think about it...

Jesse

 

[MaXJohnson]

speaking of torque, here's a graph on the Pontiac 400:

To compare how much torque the engine mounts have to deal with,

The Pontiac 400 with Turbo 400 automatic would be
low gear X torque converter multiplication X stock torque peak

2.48 X 2 X 370ft/lbs = 1835.2ft/lbs

The Cherokee with 4.0 and AX-15 manual tranny would be
low gear X low range ratio X stock torque peak

3.83 X 2.72 X 225 = 2343.96ft/lbs

Keep the transfercase with the big cube engine and low range would be a killer with 4991.74flt/lbs of torque sent to the motor mounts.

Of course, all of these numbers would be slightly less due to drive train losses

 

[SSCherokee]

Here's a few pics of the engine.

Can anyone tell me what it is.. as you can see it takes up an offal lot of room underneath that Trans Am's hood... in fact thay couldent even fit the air filter under the hood.

lol pritty dirty and needs to be cleaned up and spit and pollashed befor putting it into the jeep.

This Jeep that's in this picture is identical even in color to the one i'm doing the swap to... only this one is in better shape. (Also restoring the other one a bit.) i'm just a little embarressed of what the otherone looks like right now...

 

[2001XJeep]

That's a small block chevy. From this picture I can't tell you for sure whether it's a 350 or 400cid, but it is definitely NOT a Pontiac 400. If you think this takes up a lot of room then you've never seen a Poncho V8. They are massive! The little Chebby is small comparatively speaking.