87Chief Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I was thinking it would be pretty nice to have a v8 in the comanche... Is it possible? I know you would have to basically take everything out of Cherokee wiring ect. But what about axles? Like 44?
jimoshel Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 It's possible. What are your fabrication skills and how deep are your pockets?
Eagle Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I used to wheel with a guy in Rhode Island that had a small block Chevy in an XJ. Nice rig, and the conversion was fairly well done. But ... it was painful to wheel with him, because at least every 45 minutes or hour he'd have to stop and let it cool down for 20 minutes. He's not alone -- many people doing V8 conversions in the XJ or MJ find that there just isn't enough radiator to cool the beast.
whowey Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 As much as I love both my V-8 Jeeps.... I wouldn't want either in my MJ.
Pete M Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 be prepared to spend gobs of money and fight cooling issues. :thumbsup: But if you can it right, you now have a v8 in a 3500 pound truck.
jimoshel Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I have been putting V8's in Jeeps for a couple years. The older full size ones, not MJ's. On the early ones I made my own adapter plates because there wasn't any commercially available. In my humble opinion the Chevy V8 is not the best option for a Cherokee or MJ V8 conversion. My reasoning. 1. They're to heavy. The small block Chevy is close to 600 lbs. Use a small block Ford or Buick. They're under 500lbs. The old Oldsmobile 215 would be ideal. In my opinion a 289 Ford is best. 2. With the smaller engines you have less heat. Less cooling problems. 3. The rear mounted dizzy is a bear to reach in a full size car. Forget it, in a XJ,MJ. What is the purpose of the conversion? A full out race, rock climbing rig where your not worried about it being streetable? Or just a street machine with a little more oomph? Ready to remove the inner fender liners and 3/4 of the firewall? The loss of strength can be made up with a roll cage. I understand the wanting to be different, doing the odd ball or just why not but sometimes it just isn't practical. Been there, done that. I have put a 350 Buick in a MJ. Wouldn't do it again. Awhile back I started to put a BMW V12 in a MJ. 3 things stopped me. The 8in crack in the block where it froze up and busted, The necessity of moving the front axle forward or else having the rear of the engine in the middle of the cab. Sanity. No matter what you put in your not going to beat the reliability of the 4.0. What ever route you decide to go, good luck. And keep us informed. Jim
stewbrew1 Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 here's a Cherokee done http://wichita.craigslist.org/cto/2187995924.html
whowey Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 3. The rear mounted dizzy is a bear to reach in a full size car. Forget it, in a XJ,MJ. There is one on the 5.2 in the ZJs. Its a pain to mess with because you can barely see it let alone get a good luck to work on it.
airspeed Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 One of the better kits I have seen online is the Novak Conversion. I have never seen any of the parts or an actual kit but they seem to hve some nice technical write ups. Seems like they know what they are talking about. Basic conversion kits start at $6700 and go up depending on options. http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/engi ... /mmxj1.htm
shelbyluvv Posted January 31, 2011 Posted January 31, 2011 A ZJ 5.2 will fit in a MJ engine bay like it is made for it. No custom manifolds or oil pans on a lifted rig. You just need to lower the engine in the bay about 1" to get the hood to close. You will also need a custom radiator if you want it to look semi stock. You will also have to cut the floor out to fit the transfer case in there. I have been working on my 5.2 Magnum conversion for about 3 months now. It takes me longer because I am pretty much in uncharted teritory and only have weekends to mess with it. Oh, and the wiring is not a good time at all. I am staying fuel injected.
64 Cheyenne Posted February 1, 2011 Posted February 1, 2011 A ZJ 5.2 will fit in a MJ engine bay like it is made for it. No custom manifolds or oil pans on a lifted rig. You just need to lower the engine in the bay about 1" to get the hood to close. You will also need a custom radiator if you want it to look semi stock. You will also have to cut the floor out to fit the transfer case in there. I have been working on my 5.2 Magnum conversion for about 3 months now. It takes me longer because I am pretty much in uncharted teritory and only have weekends to mess with it. Oh, and the wiring is not a good time at all. I am staying fuel injected. Pics?
Dirteatr717 Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 Pics? I believe he has some of it in his build thread
shelbyluvv Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 Click the Black Betty link in my sig. The engine swap sarts on page 5.
kro10000 Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 I think itd be cool to do a GM gen III motor, id stay away from the LS motors but the 5.3s in iron and aluminum configurations can be found for cheap... Or the 6.0L truck motors
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