Renix Block Into Ho, Possible?

[relyt120]

So here's the story...

I have a line on a cheap 96 xj to use as a donor for its tranny, dash, center console, everything under the hood, sheet metal, Chrysler 8.25, and wheels.

I have been wanting to change the tranny and the dash is toast in my 89 4.0l 5speed so this is just what I have been looking for, but the engine in the 96 has 120k more mile on it than the renix engine I already have in the 89. 

So I want to strip the renix down and put all of the HO stuff onto it,  including the head, exhaust/intake manifolds, distributor, etc etc. (everything that makes the HO different from the renix) My question here is: is that really all there is to it? I have seen cruiser's HO into renix guide but I have found little to nothing about going the other way. Also it is of note that I will want to put a new gasket set on the engine while I have it out and will replace anything that needs to be replaced along the way.

 

Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

[mvusse]

Should work. HO doesn't use a knock sensor, though, so leave the Renix knock sensor in to keep the hole blocked off.

 

Also, being a 96, that 8.25 could be either 27 spline (early 96, like my Sparkled originally had) or the stronger 29 spline (late 96, like in the parts truck I had). Depending on early or late it also could have OBD II piggybacked onto the OBD I harness, or use the 97 and up harness.

 

Come to think of it, I think the flex plate is different between Renix and HO (the teeth for the crank position sensor), so you would have to use the HO flex plate. I don't know offhand if an HO flex plate is balanced correctly for a Renix crankshaft.

[relyt120]

I failed to mention that the 96 is an automatic so I'm going to have to switch over to the 96's flex plate no matter what. 

Thank you for your input mvusse

[yxmj]

Just a question....if you are willing to go that far.....why not just put the HO in.....with the amount of work you are willing to do in your post you could have a new rebuilt HO....(littlemore and it could be stroked) ....done deal

[relyt120]

I'm afraid that with number of miles on the ho it will need machining and I don't want to put the money out if I don't have to. not that the renix wouldn't benefit from machining but with nearly half the miles it would be less needed, hopefully. Either way I will want to do new gaskets if the engine is out so its not that much more work to move parts around while they are apart.

[cruiser54]

Here's the no BS straightforward skinny. Go for it. Any questions before or during the swap, post them up.

 

Cruiser’s HO into Renix Swap

This swap is easier than some will lead you to believe, generally those who have never done it. Those of us who have done it, like myself, will share with you the things that need to be done for a successful swap. Just think of it as swapping in a long block.

The HO and Renix have some differences but none that can’t be overcome very easily.

Any HO engine from an XJ or ZJ through 1999 can be used. One running change was that the rear of the head was no longer drilled and tapped for the temperature gauge sender beginning in the 96 model year. The sender can be relocated to the threaded hole in the thermostat housing taken from the HO engine. You’ll have to extend the wire to that location. Some brave souls even drill and tap the HO head for the sender.

You will be using the intake and exhaust manifolds from your Renix, along with all your sensors and wiring. Since the intake ports of the HO are slightly different, you use the Renix gasket. Exhaust ports are identical.
You will need to use your Renix distributor as it is different than the HO because they use different fuel management systems. The  flywheel or flexplate from the Renix must be used so your CPS gets the correct signals. The valve cover from the Renix allows you to keep your CCV system intact and requires no modifications.

The HO block will have a plug in the coolant galley on the driver’s side of the block, closest to the front, which needs to be removed so your Coolant Temp Sensor can be installed in it’s place just as it is on the Renix. It requires a 5/16” square drive or a modified 3/8” drive that has been ground down to fit. Do this before installing the engine.

As for the knock sensor, which is located just above the oil pan on the driver’s side of the engine about mid way, all the blocks I’ve seen are threaded for it. If not, I’ve heard they may be drilled but not tapped. Tap the hole if that’s the case.

Revised 03/28/13

 

[cruiser54]

Should work. HO doesn't use a knock sensor, though, so leave the Renix knock sensor in to keep the hole blocked off.

 

Also, being a 96, that 8.25 could be either 27 spline (early 96, like my Sparkled originally had) or the stronger 29 spline (late 96, like in the parts truck I had). Depending on early or late it also could have OBD II piggybacked onto the OBD I harness, or use the 97 and up harness.

 

Come to think of it, I think the flex plate is different between Renix and HO (the teeth for the crank position sensor), so you would have to use the HO flex plate. I don't know offhand if an HO flex plate is balanced correctly for a Renix crankshaft.

Knock sensor hole is a blind hole threaded into the block.

 

As stated in my writeup, you use the Renix flywheel/flexplate. Balance is not an issue.

[sinkrun]

Great info Crusier theres allot more ho motors out there no than renix.

[cruiser54]

Great info Crusier theres allot more ho motors out there no than renix.

 

I've done 2 of them so far, and soon to do a third. It's SO EASY.

[kolton]

I re-used all of the renix accessory brackets except for the Power Steering Bracket. The belt size I needed came out to 100.5"

[relyt120]

I appreciate the input but I was looking to put a renix into an ho, but at any rate I've decided that its probably not worth the trouble when the engine I have now is relatively young so I'll wait untill I have a better need to do a swap.

[FKreider]

Hey guys, we need help with a swap we are currently doing ASAP. Any advice or help is greatly apreciated.

 

We are trying to swap a HO from a 98 ZJ into a 87 MJ. We have swapped everything required over to the HO engine.

 

Except the flexplate/flywheel. It would appear that the flywheel from the 87 Renix will not bolt onto the 98 ZJ HO. Is this true or are we missing something obvious?

 

The MJ is a manual with an AX-15 trans, the ZJ was an automatic, is this our problem?

[cruiser54]

Obvious. The flexplate only fits on in one position as the bolt holes have one that is "misaligned". Only goes on one way.