Topic: 2.7-3.0 Stroker?

[JC93YJ]

I'm still considering my options for a rebuild of my 2.5 and I've seen some chatter from years ago about a possible 2.5 stroker.  From what I've seen on the forum, Titan offered a 2.7 stroker (not anymore), and two members built strokers with custom crankshafts and had a budget I could only dream of.  My question is, has anyone been successful in building a streetable, reliable 2.5 stroker either using a crank and rods from a different engine or affordable custom parts (offset ground crankshaft, if so, what were the specs used)? I know 505 Performance makes a stroker kit, but I've read enough horror stories and talked to people about them to know to stay as far away from them as possible. Thanks.

Joe

[Jeffy]

For the money and effort, you're better off dropping in a 4.0L.  The only strokers I've ever come across have been race engines.

[JC93YJ]

 Thanks Jeffy. That's what I was finding, too. But I didn't know if there was some mystical combination of parts that would make it work like with the 258 and 4.0. Back to turboing it.

Joe

[Jeffy]

Thanks Jeffy. That's what I was finding, too. But I didn't know if there was some mystical combination of parts that would make it work like with the 258 and 4.0. Back to turboing it.

Joe

The nice thing about a 4.0L is that you can reuse a lot of parts.  All of the accessories will transfer over.  You can reuse the motor mounts as well.  I'll have to remember to use 2.5L mounts but that's not a big deal.  Exhaust should bolt right up as well.

[JC93YJ]

 I've driven a 4.0L YJ and while an improvement over the 2.5, it seems like a lot of time and money for not a lot of gain, especially since people charge a premium for Jeep parts where I live. It would be cheaper to just swap in a small block Chevy, but then everything else has to get upgraded, and this is my only car for now. I've been looking into a Kubota four cylinder diesel, which is lighter than the 2.5 and makes ridiculous power for it's size when you add a turbo and crank it up to run on 20psi, but that's a whole different story. 

Joe

[Jeffy]

Well, it's a lot easier to swap in a 4.0L,  If you have a parts vehicle, you can do it in a weekend.  A complete YJ is cheap.  The only downside is that thwy will have a lot of miles on them but then you could do a 4.6-4.8L stroker.  The only fabrication would be to move the horns on the frame.  If you use a parts Jeep, you can sell everything off and recoup a bunch of it.

The only way a V8 would be cheaper is if you can fabricate and have the time to do so.  Also, you'd be looking at a Carb'ed or TBI V8.  Something like  a 5.3L or better yet a 6.0L would cost way more then a running 4.0L YJ (whole Jeep).  Then you're going to have to figure out what motor mounts to use, transmission, transfer case and axles.  Radiator, wiring harness, gauges, adapters and all the small stuff gets expensive cast.  You're looking at around $500 for an engine to transmission adapter and then another $500 for a transmission to transfer case adapter if you don't use a mated pair.  I wouldn't even bother with a 350 though.  You might as well go with a 383 stroker at that point so you're in the same neighborhood as an LS motor.

If you live in a state with emission testing you can run into more complications.  Federal Law doesn't want to you install an engine that's not DOT.  So you can get in trouble if the police really wants to get technical.    ie., 4BT and Kubota diesels...

I've only seem Kubota's in Flatfenders.  There was a guy who installed one in a TJ but it was slow.  It's not as easy swap either.

While it's considered 'boring', a 4.0L is dependable and easy to work on.  Not to mention, can just about be bolt-in.  Everyone wants to be different and exotic though.

If you want to be different then do a SC or Turbo on your 2.5L.  It's still a lot of work though.

[JC93YJ]

I actually just found a bunch of 4.0s in a junkyard by my house, as well as a TBI 2.5, so I have to consider my options now. It's funny you mentioned emissions, Jersey just made my Jeep emissions exempt a few months ago, which is why I green lit diesels again  Too bad I can't find one for the life of me that I can afford.

I remember reading somewhere that there was a set of mounts that allowed you to put a 4.0 in a 2.5 frame without moving the frame mounts. Does anyone know if those actually exist? Those would make life really easy since I can't weld at the moment, and I don't know anyone that welds good enough to weld on engine mounts for me (think really nasty booger welds).

Joe

[Jeffy]

I actually just found a bunch of 4.0s in a junkyard by my house, as well as a TBI 2.5, so I have to consider my options now. It's funny you mentioned emissions, Jersey just made my Jeep emissions exempt a few months ago, which is why I green lit diesels again  Too bad I can't find one for the life of me that I can afford.

I remember reading somewhere that there was a set of mounts that allowed you to put a 4.0 in a 2.5 frame without moving the frame mounts. Does anyone know if those actually exist? Those would make life really easy since I can't weld at the moment, and I don't know anyone that welds good enough to weld on engine mounts for me (think really nasty booger welds).

Joe

Hmm, never heard of those.  I've only heard od bolt-on mounts for SBC conversions.  It's easy enough to just cut the frame mounts off and move them forward.  Then you can reuse the 2.5L mounts and not have to find 4.0L tabs as well as mounts and brackets.  If you can't weld then tack it and string the tack's together.

[JC93YJ]

Yeah, not sure if they were ever actually made or an idea that went viral. I know Transdapt makes a crossmember for a 350 and an automatic, and they make mounts to put an LS in a car or truck with a 350, so I thought about using the crossmember and the offset mounts to bolt in an LS and then slide it back a bit so the trans isn't super far from it's original location and then mess with the trans mount and gain some rear driveshaft, but I have yet to give Transdapt a call to see if that would all work. I was kind of hoping the diesel would pan out, but I can't find any, so I'm back to either a turbo 2.5 or an LS. I might give Transdapt a call in the morning and see if all the mounts will work. If so, maybe bolt in LS. That's like two and a half 2.5s, so it wouldn't be total blasphemy....right? 

Joe

[Jeffy]

Well, I think if you're not going to be able to weld, installing an LS might be difficult.  You're probably looking at $5000-7000 on just the engine if you're looking at a 4.8L or a 5.3L.  A 6.0L is going to be around $8-9000.  LS stuff gets expensive quick.

[JC93YJ]

Yeah, I'm hoping to find a used one. I know I can find one, it's just a matter of finding one that doesn't have a million miles on it. No matter what I do though, the engine is going to be used that I do a rebuild on to keep costs down. I just don't have the money to buy a crate motor, as much as I would love to.

Joe

[Jeffy]

Yeah, I'm hoping to find a used one. I know I can find one, it's just a matter of finding one that doesn't have a million miles on it. No matter what I do though, the engine is going to be used that I do a rebuild on to keep costs down. I just don't have the money to buy a crate motor, as much as I would love to.

Joe

Those are used LS prices.  

[JC93YJ]

 Surprisingly, not around here. I can get one for $1500 with computer amd harness. They're only 5.3 Vortecs, but that's more than enough for me. I haven't seen any late model Camaro's or Cadillac's in the wrecking yards around here. I did find a 5.7 Hemi, but I couldn't jump on it fast enough. Funny how I can get a V8 complete with computer and harness for less than a 2.5 or 4.0 long block. And a 4.0 is cheaper than a 2.5. Go figure. 

Joe

[JC93YJ]

I realize this thread has gone way off the rails, but in the spirit of asking a million questions and constantly changing my mind, what about a GM Ecotec? Someone was telling me about them today and I did a little research and apparently, they make good power and bolt right to an AX15 and are ridiculously light. And they're cheap as hell, I'm finding them for $500-$600 on Craigslist just doing a quick search. I'm assuming the wiring is similar to an LS, being a GM product, but I also found standalone harnesses and people on other forums have all the parts list to mate the engine to an AX15. This seems in line with my original idea of just turboing my 2.5, but much cheaper, and I lose some weight up front and gain more power than the 2.5 could ever make and gain some fuel economy and tunability with the OBDII system. Just taking a shot in the dark here.

Joe

[Jeffy]

GM uses Ecotec on several engines.  Ecotec3 include the 4.8L, 5.3L and 6.2L  Ecotec 2 is the 4 cylinders but really the only one to look at is the 2.0 Liter Turbo I4 LTG that was used in the Cadillac ATS, Chevy Malibu and Chevy Camaro.

You will need a bellhousing from a Saturn Sky or Pontiac Solstice for it to work though.  You're also going to be fabricating a lot of stuff which takes you back to your other question...