Thinking of a V8

[theislandnut]

I just wanted to suggest a solution to what the OP posted in the first post about his motor basically shutting down and not going above a certain rpm.

 

Sounds to me like the cats clogged and because of this it`s restricting you to a certain rpm, pull the plugs and look for a crapped out cylinder and inspect the cat.

[Blue88Comanche]

I just wanted to suggest a solution to what the OP posted in the first post about his motor basically shutting down and not going above a certain rpm.

 

Sounds to me like the cats clogged and because of this it`s restricting you to a certain rpm, pull the plugs and look for a crapped out cylinder and inspect the cat.

 

i don't think it was mentioned on this thread but apparently the last owner discarded the cat, or did a very good job making it invisible. but we did think that as well

[Doc.]

As I understood, the reason for swapping to a V8 was to get rid of a crappy running 4.0. So building a stroker 6cyl. doesn't sound like a solution to the problem to me. What spend hundreds of $ to build a stroker when it might be a $50 fix to an otherwise fine engine?  Now if a V8 is what you want, because you want a V8, why not get a wrecked V8 Grand Cherokee for a complete donor vehicle? Personally I'm tired of seeing Chevy engines transplanted into everything breed of vehicle on the planet. Just sayen.

[ggcnash]

As I understood, the reason for swapping to a V8 was to get rid of a crappy running 4.0. So building a stroker 6cyl. doesn't sound like a solution to the problem to me. What spend hundreds of $ to build a stroker when it might be a $50 fix to an otherwise fine engine? Now if a V8 is what you want, because you want a V8, why not get a wrecked V8 Grand Cherokee for a complete donor vehicle? Personally I'm tired of seeing Chevy engines transplanted into everything breed of vehicle on the planet. Just sayen.

My first instinct was to stay with a Chrysler engine just for the reason stated, but after countless hours of research anything other than the sbc is very very very very expensive $! Reason being is no other engine on the planet has the aftermarket support of the sbc and there is literally motor mounts for every vehicle on the planet with a lot of R&D to go along with it. Now that being said it can be done and has been done, but be prepared to spend alot more $ and have someone readily available with some bad to the bone fab skills. Then when it's all said and done there will be no performance gains (you can't get all the power to the ground in an xj or mj with the small 4.8 ls) just the fact you get to tell people you got a hemi!

[shelbyluvv]

Not true, none of it. I bolted a 5.2 Magnum into my truck using ZJ frame mounts and the ZJ crossmember. I did strip a lot of un needed wires out of the ZJ engine harness. It can be done. It isn't that hard. You do need some mechanical skills though.

[FrankTheDog]

ZJ and XJ uni-frame are the same at the engine mount bracket location? Interesting.

[gogmorgo]

The ZJ was originally intended to replace the XJ, and the design was started by AMC before they were bought out. Knowing how AMC was doing back then, it's not surprising that a lot of stuff wound up being the same. They both had overlapping drivetrain options, identical front suspension and also shared quite a few drivetrain and suspension components with the TJ. Heck, the ZJ even looks like a barely updated XJ when compared to the pre-'97 ones.

[ggcnash]

Not true, none of it. I bolted a 5.2 Magnum into my truck using ZJ frame mounts and the ZJ crossmember. I did strip a lot of un needed wires out of the ZJ engine harness. It can be done. It isn't that hard. You do need some mechanical skills though.

Like I said it can be done, but getting the engine in there is not even half the battle lol, is the truck you dropped the 5.2 in operational?

If so then you should know getting the engine in place is nothing. Lol

[shelbyluvv]

I have driven the truck. It runs great. (Well it did until the fuel pump died.) It has been sitting in a storage unit for 3 years do to a divorce. I had to have a rear shaft made. My truck has a 5.2/46RH/242 combo. I am running a 94 XJ dash harness tied into a 93 Z/XJ engine harness. My truck is an 86 and I had special circumstances with the rad support to over come. The wiring is what scares most people away. In all honesty it is an easy swap. I had the mounts and drivetrain mounted in a day.

[FrankTheDog]

Could you use the Novak GM conversion radiator to ease the radiator trouble?

Are the inlet and outlet on a Mopar V8 same as they are on a GM V8?

I didn't care for the radiator hanging down so low on your build.

[FrankTheDog]

The other thing I don't like about going with a Mopar V8 is being stuck with a Mopar transmission.

[shelbyluvv]

My truck is an 86. Totally different rad support. The 87+ would have more real estate up front. I like the 46RH. It is a 727 with an over drive on it. Fully hydraulic .