xj restoration w/383 stroker

[smalltime75]

Like to introduce myself, first post. I have a 2000 xj, got it with blown motor. I live in Maine so there is plenty of rust that needs to be fixed. I haven't had a lot of luck finding any v8 carb 97 an up builds. I am hoping to get some advice along the line. Gonna take some pics and post them up later.

 

[ktm racer 419]

You probably haven't found any carbureted builds because nobody wants a carburetor this day in age.

any specific reason you want a carb over fuel injection?

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Novak conversions makes both frame and block side adapter mounts, headers and such.

 

[smalltime75]

I have a 500 hp 500 ft pds tq 383 stroker, put a holley 4x4 avenger carb on, why do I need fuel injection? My novak mounts should be here tomorrow. I got the marine clean step done today, metal prep tomorrow. Not sure if I will start applying the por 15 tomorrow. What is the best way to upload pics. Will any blockhugger style header work?

 

[Johnnie Walker]

I believe that if you use the Impala SS manifolds/headers should work alright for the pre gen 4 block. But teh framerails are tight.

 

[ktm racer 419]

I have a 500 hp 500 ft pds tq 383 stroker, put a holley 4x4 avenger carb on, why do I need fuel injection?

so you can keep wheeling when upside down.

 

[smalltime75]

so you can keep wheeling when upside down.

I deal with fuel injection all winter with my turboed snowmobile. With the 4x4 holley avenger you can do most of the same stuff as you can with efi. When you have a highly modified motor, efi can get pretty expensive. Standalone ecu's and the time it takes to build maps. Besides, I have this motor sitting here begging to be in xj. Still trying to figure out how to upload pics

 

[MoparManiac]

I had a holley 770 I did the avenger mods to. Did not work even close to as well as fuel injection. I understand why you are doing it though.

Look into Megasquirt and adapting GM TBI throttle bodies. It's much cheaper than most EFI setups, but yes you do have to do your own tuning. It's really not that hard, and being a Chevy engine I guarantee someone has a close enough fuel map to get you going.

 

[smalltime75]

I would like to remove the steering wheel with airbag, possible? The floor brace that the seat bolts to, does it need to go back in if I plan on going with a older xj seat? I have a 91 that is going to donate lift axle's bumpers. I plan on using a th400 bolted to the 231. 91 has 8.8, locked d30 w Detroit trutrack, 6in RR skyjacker lift and some other goodies. I plan using most of the novak stuff in less I can find better deals. When I pull the motor out of the 91 I will have a built 4.0 if anyone local is interested. I also have a couple of d60's older gm. Not sure if the front 60 is a good option to build.

 

[ktm racer 419]

I had a holley 770 I did the avenger mods to. Did not work even close to as well as fuel injection. I understand why you are doing it though.

I had an edelbrock with pretty much the same mods as moparmaniac. Both of our rigs sucked pretty hardcore offroad. But at least mine didn't dump half a gallon of fuel into cylinder 2!

I would definitely look closer into efi. I'm sure once you get the rig going with the avenger you will find its limits and further consider it. Or maybe it wouldn't matter with the wheeling you do. I just know if I kept the carb it would have gotten me into some pretty sketchy situations offroad. While wheeling a constant fear of mine was stalling out when I needed to drive out of something. Along with having to be "that guy" who has to call for a strap when I stall out and cant restart it at an incline.

 

[smalltime75]

Thanks guys, you have convinced me, I just researched the avenger 4x4. It isn't going to meet my needs as far as the type of wheeling that I like to do. I have the street avenger on the motor now. I will just stick with that for now. Thanks because I was thinking about purchasing the truck avenger. I am going to get this project running an driving and then I will look into efi. I have spent tons of time building my own maps for my boosted 800 2stroke sled.

 

[smalltime75]

I will take some more today. I have tons of the old 91. Need to take some more of the newer jeep

 

[smalltime75]

 

[smalltime75]

 

[smalltime75]

 

[superdave]

Give these folks a call about fuel injection. It's a pretty simple system that they offer.

Howell Engine Developments, Inc.
6201 Industrial Way
Marine City, MI 48039
810-765-5100

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Give these folks a call about fuel injection. It's a pretty simple system that they offer.

Howell Engine Developments, Inc.
6201 Industrial Way
Marine City, MI 48039
810-765-5100

Holley has their "pro-jection" setup that is simple as well. I would run something like megasquirt or FAST tho.

 

[superdave]

I've read lots of good things about Megasquirt, and if you want to do the tuning yourself or just want to get absolutely every bit out of it, then it's the way to go. The Howell setup doesn't have all that customization.

 

[smalltime75]

Project is going well. getting close to being all done with por15. I am gonna paint the engine compartment and the underside. I am looking for a place to send my wiring harness to have it simplified. If not, can I get some suggestions.

 

[jbsjunk]

Here's mine. Been putting it together and refining things for 5 years. Takes time when you don't have any extra money. Been driving it for 5 months now, it's reliable and hasn't left me stranded. I had a goal when I started this to have a reliable driver. I succeeded there, now I get to refine little things. It does have a carb, but injection is down the road.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1000211