Topic: Engine swap imminent

[oldjeep]

Seems that my 2.5L has a flat cam lobe.  Lifter has been replaced and I've still got a consistant rattle.  The motor has some blow by and runs OK but not great.  So rather than wasting a lot of time on a disposable motor I've got a couple options.

1) 97 TJ 2.5L  - guy in a local club has one that comes with a 5 speed I don't need for $500.  Probabally the easiest, but it's still a 4cyl
2) L67 (Supercharged 3800)  - nice and light, plenty around and cheap. I already have the correct bellhousing that would allow me to bolt it to the AW4
3) Cadillac 4.9 v8 - Not as cheap but more power and uses the same bellhousing as the 3800
4) Olds/Cad Northstar/Shortstar - bellhousing would need a couple mods, but also a bolt up.

[chardrc]

ouch that hurts. but sounds like fun in the end...

[oldjeep]

I was going to finally work on the 53 Ford this winter, but this looks fun too.

Mmmm (Not my motor)

[Jeffy]

Tough choices.  I think i'd consider a rebuilt 2.5L with a turbo thrown in.     A 3800SC would be an interesting swap but you'd have to source a bunch of different pieces from different cars.  Then splice the harness so it will work.

The tried and true swap wpuld be a SBC of some type.  I really want to do a 5.3L or a 6.0L and keep it all stock.  Plenty of power without having to change anything.

A Northstar engine would be cool and so would a Shortstar but they aren't cheap.  Shortstars were only used in two cars for a few years.

If there are no emission laws or inspections, I'd honestly look into a IH 2.8L Diesel.  25-30mpg and an oil burner...   

[Shawn_c]

I'm not a huge fan of any of those motors, but if those are your choices.  I'd go with the short star.  I know several people that are very happy with their dakota V-8 swaps.  Thats what I'd like to do when my 2.4 goes.  Although I am more into pre running then the heep these days so I may end up with another 2.4L in it.

[oldjeep]

Tough choices.  I think i'd consider a rebuilt 2.5L with a turbo thrown in.     A 3800SC would be an interesting swap but you'd have to source a bunch of different pieces from different cars.  Then splice the harness so it will work.

The tried and true swap wpuld be a SBC of some type.  I really want to do a 5.3L or a 6.0L and keep it all stock.  Plenty of power without having to change anything.

A Northstar engine would be cool and so would a Shortstar but they aren't cheap.  Shortstars were only used in two cars for a few years.

If there are no emission laws or inspections, I'd honestly look into a IH 2.8L Diesel.  25-30mpg and an oil burner...   

What would you have to source from different cars?  I've got an Isuzu bellhousing that makes the 3800 a bolt in to the tranny.  There is a commercially available left (front) manifold for RWD adaptation.  The wiring is easy, there is a guy who sells a harness to handle the engine stuff.  I've done 4 engine swaps, so I'm not real worried about it

The shortstars are pretty easy to find around here, although they cost about $300 more than a 3800SC.

[Jeffy]

What would you have to source from different cars?  I've got an Isuzu bellhousing that makes the 3800 a bolt in to the tranny.  There is a commercially available left (front) manifold for RWD adaptation.  The wiring is easy, there is a guy who sells a harness to handle the engine stuff.  I've done 4 engine swaps, so I'm not real worried about it

The shortstars are pretty easy to find around here, although they cost about $300 more than a 3800SC.

What I was saying was that you can't just get all your parts from one donor.  The engine's gonna be transverse, then you have to get a N-S bellhousing, exhaust manifolds, engine mounts, starter, cltuch,  etc... from something like a late model F-body.  It's all been done before though.


Seems like you're already pretty set on either of those two engines though.
I'd still go diesel if I could. 

[oldjeep]

Not too many affordable diesel options.  The VW motor is nice but too small, liberty diesel would be great but too much money.  Outside of that you've got a variety of forklift motors and some really heavy Cummins stuff.  And not knowing squat about diesels wouldn't help me much either

Motor mounts will be home built.  Stock starter works fine, belhousing is covered, no clutch since I'll use my existing AW4.

Biggest challenge will be that my wife wants me to finish the streetrod :)

[aw12345]

Decisions decisions, I am sure you will come up with something Chuck you are a pretty handy fellow