Black89Comanche Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 What is the biggest V8 that i can put in a Comanche without any cutting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 I've seen guys put a Chevy 5.3 in Cherokees without too much trouble. The small block Mustang motor is also pretty popular and fits without too much modification. No matter what you do, you'll have to adjust the motor mount locations which kind of requires cutting, but that's not too bad. After researching a V8 swap for a while, I decided that building a 4.7 stroker gives you V8ish power without altering the engine bay at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black89Comanche Posted November 19, 2015 Author Share Posted November 19, 2015 okay thank you i will have to talk it over with my brother Jeff (blue88comanche) to see what he thinks would be the best choice. One of the big reasons for the engine swap would be to completely fix the engine. It is not currently running properly. It is really hard to describe what is going on with it but what i can tell you is that it starts off running good then it bogs down to 15mph and continues to slowly go down from there. it will continue to idle rough and no matter how much you give it gas it will not accelerate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 hit this list first: http://comancheclub.com/topic/48463-cruisers-mostly-renix-tips/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black89Comanche Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 okay will do thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankTheDog Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Novak-adapt.com for LS/Vortec swap info. If you have cubic dollars you can put the LS7 out of the Corvette in it. 427 CI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budwisr Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 A member of our local AMC club is running a Barry Allen 401 in his Comanche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankTheDog Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Best bang for the buck would be a 4.8 or 5.3 vortec. They can be had for $500-$800 for good running engines. To get them in there though is where the cost is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunnc1991 Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 I feel like doing a complete motor change due to a poorly running motor is not a great idea. Even if it turned out to be something catastrophic or just a tired out motor, swap in or rebuild your 4.0 and keep trucking. Be a whole lot easier and cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Because of this thread I did a bunch of reading last night on V8 swaps and building up strokers .... mostly because both are AWESOME :yes: :yes: It seems like the 4.8 or 5.3 Vortec is a popular option. There is a ton of info out there on the swap and you can even buy adapter kits easily. Seems like this swap runs in the $3k range if you do it right - maybe less if you get a smoking deal on the motor/trans and do all the work yourself. The 4.6 or 4.7 strokers are also popular, and put out some impressive numbers ... especially in torque (more than the 5.3 even). The beauty of the stroker is that it's a direct drop in replacement. They seem to run in the same ballpark as a V8 swap. I guess it comes down to what you like .... or what you have available. Personally, I love the idea of picking up a decent 4.0 from Craigslist for a couple hundred bucks .... building it into a stroker in the garage .... then dropping that 275HP torque monster into my Jeep in one evening after work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black89Comanche Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 All sound like great ideas i belive that i will go the stroker rout. sounds like it should be cheaper in the ling run. i can also take and use the same motar i have seeing as to how i am already driving my dads Cherokee. Thank you all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadan Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Building a 275hp stroker is going to cost more than $3000. Almost every build log of a stroker 4.0 I have seen ends up in the 4k+ range by the time all parts and machine work is considered. Now, if you want to do a budget stroker with minimal to no head work and a mild cam you could be looking at a cool 230ish hp stroker, but realistic costs will still put that in the 2000-2500 range (never underestimate the added up costs of little stuff). You will still have tons of torque. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black89Comanche Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 yeah it is a in the long run project i need to get the body work all good before i start on making it stronger. as well as making it a 4x4 it looks like i will be needing to get a new rear drive shaft built for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 My 4.0 overhaul was about $3k. You simply cannot do a rebuild cheaply and expect it to last as long as the factory motor. Do it right or not at all ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadan Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Not including any porting, the cost of machine work alone for a stroker will probably hit the $500-800 range depending on what all needs done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black89Comanche Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 all true points Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackrabbit41 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 There's a guy here in Bellingham with a comanche and a few months ago he told me he had an ls7 and was about to swap it in. I haven't seen him around anymore though but damn that'd be sick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I've never had one but a lot of the stroker info seems exaggerated,seems that a lot of strokers don't break 200hp at the wheels. they also typically seem less reliable than the original 4.0l. personally i think i would rather have a stock V8 that reliably makes the same or more power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSimon Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I've never had one but a lot of the stroker info seems exaggerated,seems that a lot of strokers don't break 200hp at the wheels. they also typically seem less reliable than the original 4.0l. personally i think i would rather have a stock V8 that reliably makes the same or more power. 200HP on the ground is a ton for an MJ. If you go much more than that you'll have to upgrade the trans, TC, axles, drive shafts, cooling system, suspension, etc. That's big big money. Strokers are perfect for people who want a noticeable increase in power with a mostly plug and play swap. If you need more power than that, then a V8 swap will certainly do it. Just be ready for a big project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I've never had one but a lot of the stroker info seems exaggerated,seems that a lot of strokers don't break 200hp at the wheels. they also typically seem less reliable than the original 4.0l. Says the man with a 2.5. :rotfl2: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 you can make fun of my little 2.5l,4banger Jeepers are use to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I'm not making fun. Wait! Yes I am. :yes: Image Not Found But you are right, a lot of specs are exaggerated because most folks don't bother with a dyno test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnkyboy Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 my squirrels are pissed. I'm kinda curious to stick it on a dyno,gotta be making a lot more than the 2.5l TBI did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I'd be curious too especially on the torque ratings. Looks like you've done a lot of quality go-fast work on it. Do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggcnash Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Going through this exact swap now (5.3 vortec) in the Manche (taking plenty of pics) the 3k estimate is pretty light. I will have around 3k in parts alone my engine and tranny were free! I decided to do it, because some buddy's that have mall crawlers have done it and the power WOW it's exactly what you think would happen if someone shoved a V8 in there trust me. I've rode in a lot of strokers doesn't compare in the "seat of pants" department. Would like to add that I'm not saying a 4.7 stroker won't run with a stock V8 and won't put roughly the same useable power to the ground, but most people will have the same reply when getting out of an LS MJ "Holy $#!&"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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