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Learned the hard way V6 to I6 engine swap


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I did a V6 to I6 swap on my 86 jeep Comanche a few years ago.  

 

I pulled all the needed parts from a local salvage yard to include wiring harnesses and hte like.  This was a Big job! as the Radiator supports needed changed, the motor mounts, and all the wiring under the hood.  I decided to go with the AW4 4 speed automatic transmission which required the transmission control box which is installed under the glove box. 

 

When I was installing in the engine I learned that the firewall needed pushed back about an inch.  Nothing a sledge hammer could not accomplish.  

 

The strangest thing I learned was the need to wire the torque converter disconnection circuit which operated off a separate vacuum switch associated with the cruise control.  It was not hard to fix, I just wish I would have done this 30,000 miles ago.  

 

I also added the comfort power switch in the dash that required some minor wiring and the addition of a new fuse in the fuse box that provides power when the key is on.  This switch adjusts the shift points of the transmission.  

 

The truck drives like a different vehicle with the disengagement of the locked torque converter when I step on the brake pedal.  Additionally it shifts through the lower gears more smoothly when the converter is not already locked up. I think it locks up now about 35 to 40 mph.  

 

I hope these comments will help you not repeat my failure to completed the AW4 torque converter disconnect wiring correctly.  Happy Trails

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There's no way I'd repower with a 4.0, not now.

 

 

Let the purists pounce.

 

 

There is just that thread ongoing here, I remained silent.

Not even with a supercharged 4.0? :D

 

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

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There's no way I'd repower with a 4.0, not now.

 

 

Let the purists pounce.

 

 

There is just that thread ongoing here, I remained silent.

Not even with a supercharged 4.0? :D

 

 

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

Read all the threads of disappointed XJ owners who went down that rabbit hole. 

 

Over and over and over. 

 

 

 

I decided to start this thread because it can help someone. I got a lot of inspiration from other's threads like from racer32, John D, PhotoJared, Frank Z, Jeff 98XJ WI, etc.. I would like to thank all the XJ LS swapers. Excuse my english.

 

My XJ is a 2001 sport. I put a M62 supercharger in it to get more power, but I was not very satisfied. Then I put a comp cam 232-4, piggyback ecu, wideband, headers but the results was poor for the effort. So I decided to go the LS route because I knew the engine from Corvette and I very like the V8 sound and torque production.

 

Now I am at the middle of the swap. (I hope).

 

This swap began in Feb 2017 when I got the package from ebay:

 

 

 

Very current thread from 'elsewhere'.................I have read this statement dozens of times. I learn from the mistakes of others. 

 

 

Spending thousands of dollars chasing the illusive HP/torque from a 4.0

 

 

No thanks. 

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For the carbureted XJ/MJ plunking a carbureted chevy ought to be straight forward once the oil pan and engine mounts are sorted. I believe there is a adapter to fit the ax-15 to chevy small block.

I like the idea of a 318 too.

 

 

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I'm leaning towards a non-Jeep engine swap also. My MJ has a 2.5L and it would be about the same money for me to swap an LS vs a 4.0 unless someone gave me a 4.0 XJ for free to swap it all over.

 

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