2.8L upgrade questions, parts list, and budget estimations

[DzienManche]

Heyo, I was searching up and down the interwebs and on the forums only to find a few mentions of engine swaps. I was thinking of getting a parts list together for what I will need in order to get a budget in mind for upgrading my MJ from the old stock '86 2.8L V6 to something with a greater than 65 MPH top speed. I know it can go higher, it just shakes and stresses at highway speeds and I don't want to push it too hard and break her.

 

I wanted to know if anyone had a parts list (of parts that are actually still made) that I can start my work off of. I'm a mechanical novice and not sure what all goes into it, but if I can start a stock pile of parts for a newer engine in the event something goes wrong I can still have peace of mind that it is still  something that can be worked on, unlike most of the 2.8L stuff. I originally wanted to keep this as original as possible, but getting some more horses under the hood is a plus in my mind for the longevity of the truck. I also want to eventually put a 3-4" lift and get more beafy tires eventually which the 2.8 wouldn't be too pleased with.

 

Any help is appreciated. I'm on the fence about doing it myself to learn and have fun with it, but will most likely pay a mechanic to do the drop and install to avoid any issue I'd more than likely cause. But I know that definitely won't be cheap. Any info/pics of others who have done it on an '86 would be awesome. I'm no welder/fabricator so a direct bolt in would be preferred, however I know that is likely not as plausible as I think with my stupid mind. lol

[Pete M]

there's a good chance that all your power woes are directly connected to that carb.

 

the camaro/firebird 3.4 swap with the fuel injection system is a good upgrade that swaps right in using your existing mounts, exhaust and trans..    should be a thread or 2 on that in the link in my sig. 

[coheed]

Here would be said link

[DzienManche]

8 minutes ago, coheed said:

Here would be said link

I saw a video that some people are using a 5.3L Chevy engine too

[Pete M]

3 hours ago, DzienManche said:

I saw a video that some people are using a 5.3L Chevy engine too

 

doable, but that more or less requires a whole new drivetrain.  how much of a project are you looking for? 

[DzienManche]

5 hours ago, Pete M said:

 

doable, but that more or less requires a whole new drivetrain.  how much of a project are you looking for? 

I'm probably just going to go with the Camaro 3.4L after doing more digging. Hopefully I can find a good deal on one with a new trans too. My vin said it’s a 4 speed but everyone keeps telling me it’s a 3

[Pete M]

2 minutes ago, DzienManche said:

I'm probably just going to go with the Camaro 3.4L after doing more digging. Hopefully I can find a good deal on one with a new trans too. My vin said it’s a 4 speed but everyone keeps telling me it’s a 3

 

the auto behind the 2.8 is a 3spd.   the 4spd thing comes from chrysler reusing that code for something newer.

[eaglescout526]

Yes it is a 3 speed. Chryslers code ironically for their own transmission probably wasnt the same code on AMCs side orrrrr Chrysler wiped the code out for use with 4spds going forward after the torqueflights discontinuation. 

[DzienManche]

2 minutes ago, Pete M said:

 

the auto behind the 2.8 is a 3spd.   the 4spd thing comes from chrysler reusing that code for something newer.

Ah. Makes sense. So yeah I’d probably want to upgrade the trans if I move to a 3.4 ha. On one of the articles I found I think they were reusing a 5 speed manual. Not sure what to look for or if I should try to grab the trans out of the Camaro I take the engine from

[cruiser54]

Again, a budget and needlessly swapping in an unknown used trans not common to the vehicle? 

 

That 3.4 isn't gonna rip the engine mounts out or twist driveshafts. 

 

Keep it simple. 

[Pete M]

I'm not sure what trans the camaro has.  trans mount location and shifter handle location need to be looked into.  the good news is that the 2.8L shares a bolt pattern with the Jeep 2.5L and so it should be pretty easy to find an AX-5.    

[DzienManche]

2 hours ago, cruiser54 said:

Again, a budget and needlessly swapping in an unknown used trans not common to the vehicle? 

 

That 3.4 isn't gonna rip the engine mounts out or twist driveshafts. 

 

Keep it simple. 

You think my 3speed automatic will be sufficient? If I don't have to look into getting a newer/nicer trans that would be super sweet. I doubt it will be a direct bolt match but finding a bell adapter for it would probably be easier than having to retool and fab other solutions with a different one. If that's what you're saying

[coheed]

The 904 is a desired transmission for classic class drag racing. It'll hold up perfectly fine to the 3.4. The only limitation would be lack of overdrive, and needing to get the flex plate neutral balanced. No overdrive can be compensated for with gearing and tire size. 

 

Also, just so you know the transmission you have will bolt directly to the 3.4 with no mods aside from rebalancing the flex plate.

[cruiser54]

THIS^^

[DzienManche]

13 hours ago, coheed said:

The 904 is a desired transmission for classic class drag racing. It'll hold up perfectly fine to the 3.4. The only limitation would be lack of overdrive, and needing to get the flex plate neutral balanced. No overdrive can be compensated for with gearing and tire size. 

 

Also, just so you know the transmission you have will bolt directly to the 3.4 with no mods aside from rebalancing the flex plate.

That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. That’s perfect. You’re talking about the Camaro 3.4 I mentioned above? That would be incredible and the pricing of those engines isn’t terrible either. Assuming I can find one locally ha. Thanks for the help

[grainofsalt]

On 5/24/2023 at 1:58 PM, DzienManche said:

Heyo, I was searching up and down the interwebs and on the forums only to find a few mentions of engine swaps. I was thinking of getting a parts list together for what I will need in order to get a budget in mind for upgrading my MJ from the old stock '86 2.8L V6 to something with a greater than 65 MPH top speed. I know it can go higher, it just shakes and stresses at highway speeds and I don't want to push it too hard and break her.

 

I wanted to know if anyone had a parts list (of parts that are actually still made) that I can start my work off of. I'm a mechanical novice and not sure what all goes into it, but if I can start a stock pile of parts for a newer engine in the event something goes wrong I can still have peace of mind that it is still  something that can be worked on, unlike most of the 2.8L stuff. I originally wanted to keep this as original as possible, but getting some more horses under the hood is a plus in my mind for the longevity of the truck. I also want to eventually put a 3-4" lift and get more beafy tires eventually which the 2.8 wouldn't be too pleased with.

 

Any help is appreciated. I'm on the fence about doing it myself to learn and have fun with it, but will most likely pay a mechanic to do the drop and install to avoid any issue I'd more than likely cause. But I know that definitely won't be cheap. Any info/pics of others who have done it on an '86 would be awesome. I'm no welder/fabricator so a direct bolt in would be preferred, however I know that is likely not as plausible as I think with my stupid mind. lol

Back in the day i had an '86 XJ that had an Edelbrock intake and a 4 bbl Holley carburetor. Way better than the stock setup!

 

Also, Regearing the axles is something to consider as well.

[The86manche]

21 hours ago, grainofsalt said:

Back in the day i had an '86 XJ that had an Edelbrock intake and a 4 bbl Holley carburetor. Way better than the stock setup!

 

Also, Regearing the axles is something to consider as well.

At this point that intake has been discontinued and is quite difficult to find. I got lucky and found one used on ebay a while back.

There's also very limited info on these intakes, what you need for the swap, hardware. Ive been doing this basically blind and figuring it out one piece at a time at each roadblock.