Super fast Jeep for 2500$?

[hjeepxj]

Here is my list of crap, the 1500$ added on is for misc crap that I either dont have, or want to get to make it faster, could include a junkyard 29 spline 8.25 w/gears and welded, ignition stuff, maybe even a borla...

I am picking up this 87 XJ next week, for 300$, I had originally planned on fixing it up to sell to my sister, or to someone else to make a buck this summer, but I think this would be more fun.

So I got bored, and was watching horsepower TV (never a good idea ) and then looked at Dino's site, and devised this list...I have some parts, like the 258 crank/rods. I have a yard with a few HO's, that charges 150$ for a complete long block...so I think this estimate is fairly close...

What do you guys think? What am I missing? Teh Jeep im getting will only be minus the block/head, so thats no problamo.

Another thought will be buying/trading out the 4wd tranny, tcase, and front end for a lighter 2wd setup...that should gain me some 1/4 time.

Specs at a glance will be: 87 XJ w/91+ block/head, Stroked to 4.0 crane cam, 2wd AW4 tranny, 8.25 rear w/4.10s, 75 Shot of NOS.

I have no idea how fast it will be...Dino maybe you know? Should be pretty quick...And if any of this doesnt make sense, maybe I can help decifer my ramblings.

ORIGINAL COSTS:

Junk Yard 4.0, Mostly Complete Long Block: 150$
Jeep: 300$________
450$

FREE LIST

258 Crankshaft/Rods: FREE
Crankshaft pilot bearing #53009180AB: reused
Main bearing studs: stock '00 reused
Crankshaft sprocket #53020443 & timing chain #53020444: reused
Main bearing girdle & retaining nuts: reused
Cam bolt kit: stock free with block
Crank pulley spacer: free
Oil pan: stock '92 free with block
Oil pump: stock '00 reused

PARTS FROM AUTOZONE:

Federal Mogul main bearings #FM7211M.030: 35USD
Crankshaft rear main seal #05018594AA: 7USD
ARP rod bolts (AMC 258) #112-6001: 35USD
Sealed Power 677P +0.020 pistons: 90USD
Hastings +0.020 piston rings: 30USD
Clevite 77 camshaft bearings #SH-549S: 17USD
Crane camshaft CRN-753905 & lifters CRN-99278-12: 179USD
Main bearing girdle spacer kit (14 hardened 5/16" steel washers): 1USD
Camshaft sprocket #53020445: stock '94-'98 27USD
Crank harmonic damper #33002920T: 29USD
Pioneer brass freeze plugs x7: 7USD
Victor Reinz lower gasket set #CS-5713X: 29USD

TOTAL: 486$

LESS 20% Discount: (97$)

TOTAL: 389$

PARTS FOR HEAD:

Head: FREE (already included)
Standard Abrasives Deluxe porting kit 40
Valves lapped and polished: FREE
Head surface milled: FREE
Valve seats reground & polished: FREE
Head hot tanked: FREE
Mopar head gasket: 19
Combination manifold gasket: 15
Intake & exhaust valve stem oil seals, t'stat housing gasket: 14
Cylinder head freeze plug: 4

TOTAL HEAD COST: 92$

LESS 20%: (18$)

TOTAL HEAD COST: 74$

Mopar Performance valve springs #5249464, retainers #4452032, & locks #4529218: 153USD (Minus 20% = 140$)
Victor Reinz upper gasket set #HS-5713Z: 45USD

STROKER HEAD WORK: 185$

MACHINE WORK: FREE

65 Mustang TB: ???
00 Intake Manifold: ???
TB Spacer: Have one
NOS: 500$
2.5” Exhaust w/Cutout: Have it
MISC STUFF (plugs, wires, air filter, etc): ???

ESTIMATED REST OF COSTS: 1500$

TOTAL COST: 2598$

 

[XJCasper]

Where are the pictures?

 

[hjeepxj]

I dont have the Jeep yet, but this is it:

http://community.webshots.com/album/328486052sAclfj

 

[JJacobs]

Let me know if you find any extra 2wd aw4's, can't seem to find any in the area.

Or- you could always go with a crank trigger ignition CPS, and a 2WD 727 with manual valve body etc.

 

[Atl XJ]

If you arent afraid of shipping costs, 2wd XJs are everywhere in the south. I'd say probably at least half of the ones I see are 2wd so I'd think that the wrecking yards around here would be full of them.

Btw, 2wd XJs with bolt ons are surprisingly quick so I'd think you'll be impressed with your 1/4 mile times.

 

[JeepSpeed]

Btw, 2wd XJs with bolt ons are surprisingly quick so I'd think you'll be impressed with your 1/4 mile times.

Yeah they are....

 

[hjeepxj]

Let me know if you find any extra 2wd aw4's, can't seem to find any in the area.

Or- you could always go with a crank trigger ignition CPS, and a 2WD 727 with manual valve body etc.

Ill keep you posted on what I do.

I know the yard up here has some 2wds...but im not 100% sure they arent 84-86's (crappy trannys)

If you arent afraid of shipping costs, 2wd XJs are everywhere in the south. I'd say probably at least half of the ones I see are 2wd so I'd think that the wrecking yards around here would be full of them.

Btw, 2wd XJs with bolt ons are surprisingly quick so I'd think you'll be impressed with your 1/4 mile times.

I am certainly not afraid of shipping!

I bet it would cost around 50-75$ to ship one...i could do that...

I might also be up for trading my tranny/tcase for a 2wd tranny for someone who's doing a 4wd swap...

 

[John(XJ)Jeep]

I don't know about you but that looks like a heavy model.

Go find a Base model 2 door 5 speed inline 6 and save yourself about 300 Lbs.
And use the MPI I6.

I find peugeot tranny works good too. I don't know the track recoed of that tranny but my experiences tell me that tranny is indestructable.

I've managed to bow a driveshaft broke the clutch lines, twisting the tranny in its mounts from an extremly bad down shift (don't ask), the tranny is perfectly fine except everything around it.

 

[JeepSpeed]

I find peugeot tranny works good too. I don't know the track recoed of that tranny but my experiences tell me that tranny is indestructable.

No personal expierience, but I think most would disagree with you. The affectionatley named "Pukegoat" has a horrible reputation for reliablity. Why even risk it when the AW4 and AX-15 exist? Those are your end all be alls.

 

[John(XJ)Jeep]

Well you may be right, in that case mine was probably made on a monday and the boss and superviser were watching.
The clutch was replaced once in its lifetime and other than that it never had a problem ever. No funny noises no bad shifting or anything, I banged the crap out of it daily. Which just leaves me to wonder how then.