engine swap AMC 360 or chevy 350

[jlake1]

What's with all the stroker vendors going out of business? That sucks.

Anyways, I keep hearing people say that V8 swaps cost too much, but I put a 5.0 in my XJ for less than $2000. I don't see a stroker competing with that. Plus, the 5.0 (and 350 chevy) is so readily supported by the aftermarket that getting your 325hp should be NO problem.

Just my $.02

 

[cherokeeproject]

a ford?

 

[tetsulo]

What's with all the stroker vendors going out of business? That sucks.

Anyways, I keep hearing people say that V8 swaps cost too much, but I put a 5.0 in my XJ for less than $2000. I don't see a stroker competing with that. Plus, the 5.0 (and 350 chevy) is so readily supported by the aftermarket that getting your 325hp should be NO problem.

Just my $.02

so..cough up the details of how you did it....maybe everyone is just missing the secret.

Matthew

 

[jlake1]

so..cough up the details of how you did it....maybe everyone is just missing the secret.

Matthew

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=61209&page=2

It's at the bottom of the page. I really attribute the cool running to the fan control, and the GoJeep fan mod I got from this site.

Plus, I really don't think it's a secret, it just seems like sometimes there is a lot of, uh, regurgitation on this forum.

Jay

 

[JJacobs]

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=61209&page=2

It's at the bottom of the page. I really attribute the cool running to the fan control, and the GoJeep fan mod I got from this site.

Plus, I really don't think it's a secret, it just seems like sometimes there is a lot of, uh, regurgitation on this forum.

Jay

Haven't you heard? That extra .6 (or so) liters is the ultimate in Jeep performance. Tom told me so.

 

[tetsulo]

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=61209&page=2

It's at the bottom of the page. I really attribute the cool running to the fan control, and the GoJeep fan mod I got from this site.

Plus, I really don't think it's a secret, it just seems like sometimes there is a lot of, uh, regurgitation on this forum.

Jay

Sorry if I sound overly aggressive but I'm at work and have to write this quick. The difference (imho) with your comparison is used stuff to new stuff though (unless you got a great line on reman 5.0 long blocks). I also see no value accounted towards the labor of the actual installation. I also think you meant to say NOT the easiest installation, but I don't see any details. Glad you got stuff for free, but (pardon the pun) you can't bank on that always being the case.

Matthew

 

[jlake1]

Sorry if I sound overly aggressive but I'm at work and have to write this quick. The difference (imho) with your comparison is used stuff to new stuff though (unless you got a great line on reman 5.0 long blocks). I also see no value accounted towards the labor of the actual installation. I also think you meant to say NOT the easiest installation, but I don't see any details. Glad you got stuff for free, but (pardon the pun) you can't bank on that always being the case.

Matthew

I agree that the motor is used, but it only had 50K on it. I would say that most people building a stroker generally start with an engine that has way over 100-150K (since the 4.0 generally lasts this long with no issues).

As far as labor goes, I did all the work myself, therefore I had no hard cash in the install. If you can build the stroker yourself, then I don't think you should count that either. The only thing I got for free was a transfer case (which I am not using) that can be had for pennies anyway. Everything else was new (fans, fuel system, motor mounts, etc.).

As far as the installation goes, I DID mean easiest. Five wires make the 5.0 run. It runs on the stock fuel pump, it fits in the engine bay, hell, even the water lines line up to the radiator!

Look, I am not trying to say that V8's are better than strokers. I am just trying to offer a counter point to the popular misconception that EVERY V8 swap is difficult, costs crazy$, and ends up running too hot.

Jay

 

[tetsulo]

I agree that the motor is used, but it only had 50K on it. I would say that most people building a stroker generally start with an engine that has way over 100-150K (since the 4.0 generally lasts this long with no issues).

As far as labor goes, I did all the work myself, therefore I had no hard cash in the install. If you can build the stroker yourself, then I don't think you should count that either. The only thing I got for free was a transfer case (which I am not using) that can be had for pennies anyway. Everything else was new (fans, fuel system, motor mounts, etc.).

As far as the installation goes, I DID mean easiest. Five wires make the 5.0 run. It runs on the stock fuel pump, it fits in the engine bay, hell, even the water lines line up to the radiator!

Look, I am not trying to say that V8's are better than strokers. I am just trying to offer a counter point to the popular misconception that EVERY V8 swap is difficult, costs crazy$, and ends up running too hot.

Jay

I didn't think we were discussing the performance merits of a stroked I6 vs a V8. (or that you were suggesting that a V8 is better). I was just curious about the cost break down for a complete $2000 V8 install.

Your cost analysis still seems subjective to me and not typical of what any one can reasonably expect to encounter (or reproduce) on a regular basis. If you have the tools, time, parts and consider your labor as free then I guess ANY engine swap can be done 'inexpensively'.

I had an early 80's 5.0 given to me about 11 years ago. It certainly was a fun engine to sit behind... Ultimately when I moved I couldnt' bring it with me and I gave it to a friend who transplanted the engine into some old wagon.

Matthew

 

[Lucas]

I didn't read the entie thread, but just had this bit of opinion. Back in high school and early college I abused (not "drove") several cars/trucks with some form or another of the 350. I also totally destroyed a FSJ with the 360.
In my opinion the AMC wins hands down in terms of pure torque and useable horsepower on the trail. The 350s, overall in all their configurations, seemed gutless in comparison, but they were much more streetable and spun a little more smoothly on the highway.

 

[streetpirate]

sorry i wouldnt know the diffrencs, im more into Elephants

tee hee...

if i put an elephant in my xj would i have to cut the hood so it would shut over the VALVECOVERS?

 

[dizzymac]

you can "punch" the 4.0 out 5.0 but you'll be boring it .060 over, I would worry about block probs. with that, do the 4.6 way less work than going to a v8.

 

[cherokeeproject]

ok im back to posting on one of my old threads just because my question still stands. heres the update...

my 87 xj threw a rod before i got hte chance to do a storker or anything of that sort soo i recently purchased a 96 xj with the HO 4.0 and plan to bore and stoke that engine and continue on my origional plans

as for the old jeep im stripping and parting it out in order to make a little extra $$ but i still have a cherokeee frame and body and would like to build a beast out of her.

i was thinking of chopping the rear end and putting a scrambler bed on it, ive seen many people do it and it looks pretty tight. i also plan to go down to the junkyard and pull some kind of common v8 where aftermarket performance parts are readily available to attempt to get roughtly 500 hp and at least 450tq out of it and stay naturally aspirated off pump gas. yes a heavy duty tranny and Tcase (i was thinking dana 300 to handle the power)
as for axle i was ganna pull a full length high pinion dana 60 for the front and rear and truss them both. 4 wheel disc brakes, coil overs shocks front and rear and anywhere form 8 to 10" of lift. yes roll cage, custom snorkle, gear ratio's and things of that nature will also be replaced.

i basically want a rig so stout and beefy that i could jump her off a 100 ft cliff and just keep on drivin (metaphorically speaking)

anybody got any good engine suggestions? i would like something that fit in the engine bay with little to no cutting on wheel wells ( even tho i will cut em out anyway to fiut my big ass tires and axels) def no alluminum block and i still need room for proper cooling.....

any suggestions?

josh

 

[streetpirate]

big block. tight fit, gobs of torque. cheapest would be 460 ford, or 500 caddy.(dunno about getting a t case on the caddy trans though)

 

[Root Moose]

It's been done (Caddy).

IIRC there are adapters.

 

[cherokeeproject]

It's been done (Caddy).

IIRC there are adapters.

ya it can be done but how strong is it ganna be?

 

[cherokeeproject]

and honestly i was planning on sticking with a modified small block. cheaper and like it was said the big block would be a tight fit. im pretty sure ide have to cut into the wheel wells and firewall wich i would like to avoid if at all possible.

 

[Root Moose]

ya it can be done but how strong is it ganna be?

Caddy engine to 4x4 TH400/NV4500? I dunno, how strong does it need to be?

If you were thinking adapting to the stock sh!te downstream from the engine, well, give your head a shake and it'll be our little secret.

SBC swaps are probably the easiest way to go - lots of resources. There is probably enough data on this site alone to make your eyes bleed for the next few weeks.

 

[ROBZ95Xj]

the unibody is gonna twist into a pretzel

 

[Root Moose]

Oh ye of little imagination...

Cage it, plate it.

If you are in for the big mods you need to do the big work.

 

[cherokeeproject]

ya im defanently doin a custom roll cage and reinforcing the unibody all the way around... like i said i want this thing to be a beast!!