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V8 swap help


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I'm sure this has been covered many times. So forgive me I'm new.

I’ve just acquired a 86 4wd with the 2.8🤢  ive found a old school 283 Chevy that I'm considering installing. I'm keeping it very mild just 250 hp or so. Will my stock 5spd trans hold up? Can I get a small block flywheel that will fit in the jeep bell housing? Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated.

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Lord no! That ax-5 transmission could never take the power of the v8. It barely handles the 4cyl /V6 at 121hp. Finding a way to adapt the bellhousing would probably be hard too.

I don’t know what will work but it should be a do able conversion just do . I’d check with Novak to see what their guide has.


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There is a adapter available that would allow me to bolt the small block to the existing bell housing. Of course that don't mean it would survive that marriage. I've done many engine swaps in my 30+ years mechanicing. Just never done one quite like this. 

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Not exactly it's advertised as a adapter to bolt a small block turbo 350 to a 2.8 v6. Maybe it will not fit at all but for 70 bucks I was willing to try assuming I could. A get a small block flywheel to fit in the bell housing B the transmission could handle the hp and torque. And it sounds like no chance of that 

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Watch this vid. 

 

Go to comments, see my question regarding the AX15, see Jonathan's response. 

 

When you watch the vid you will see the AX15 in action and you will see the adapter. 

He puts the AX15 behind 450-550hp. 

 

This particular FJ is diesel. 

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3 hours ago, L8rg8r said:

Not exactly it's advertised as a adapter to bolt a small block turbo 350 to a 2.8 v6. Maybe it will not fit at all but for 70 bucks I was willing to try assuming I could. A get a small block flywheel to fit in the bell housing B the transmission could handle the hp and torque. And it sounds like no chance of that 

AX15 are available NEW, if you are serious, I would recommend NEW. 

 

I'll be doing this swap myself in the next year, look to Novak and Advance Adapters for specific info. 

 

 

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I wouldn’t suggest doing it, but a Caddy 4.1, 4.5 or 4.9 Northstar will bolt up to the 60 degree bell (trans won’t last long either) I saw a couple of the early XJs with T4 or T5s in them but those weren’t World Class either. (I know where there is a 2wd WC X tagged T5 but it has a Ford Roller 5.0 in front of it with a carb in a ‘79 Mustang 4 eye.
The 80 to Early ‘83 AMC Eagles and some CJs came with 2.5 Iron Duke which had SBC 90 degree pattern bolted to T4/5 or 904 automatics. It’s the simplest way to go for a 283 V8 or 4.3L V6 swap.
Chev ran 700R4s and T5s behind the 2.8 in early S10 and T10 Blazers.


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First off thanks for all the info guys it’s appreciated. My 283 is just the engine no transmission at all. It’s my understanding I’ll have to aqire a different transmission. A automatic isn’t going to work for me I’m just not a automatic fan. But what about this 

I know of a mid fifties or early sixties Willy’s three speed and a Dana 18 transfer case. I know it’s stout enough to hold up behind the 283 but how would it fit in the mj chassis 

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I suspect the Willys trans is geared low, you'll likely be twisting 32-3400rpm at 65mph. 1st is likely a granny.

 

The Dana 18 is a passenger side drop. 

 

I have no idea where the shifters will come through the floor. 

 

You still have to contend with engine mounts, trans mount, xmember, cooling, exhaust, new drive shafts, bell, clutch, adapter for clutch slave..........etc.........

 

I guess the trans would be perfect for rock crawling........however, your carbed engine won't, you'll need to go injected. 

 

It's an involved swap. 

 

 

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I would go with propane for carbed off-roading but the AX15 will handle the 283 easy enough. Much as I dislike integral slaves, this would be where I’d put one but run only the good fluid in it.
Keeping the V8 motor cool has been the hardest problem to deal with in the past.


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Ok I may have found a better option please tell me what you guys think about this. 

Ive found a 94 grand Cherokee low miles 5.2 with the automatic transmission I can get it for cheap the drive train is in perfect working order. How about that swap? 

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