Topic: slapping a 350 Chevy(FI) with TH700R tranny into my 94 YJ 2.5L(First swap)

[Android20]

I am ditching the 2.5L, this is my first time swapping and I  have a few questions
I am on a budget so I would like to do this as cheap as possible
First of all what make and years of vehicles in junk yards should I be looking for...... for parts like intake mani, exaust mani, valve cover, oil pan, fuel injection system ect
Would I be able to use my 2.5L's rad to cool the beast?
Should I just try to find a piece of crap car or truck with a 350 in it and take all the parts off it since I will need alot of parts like computer, Harness ect?
Any advice or input will be greatly appreciated and needed because this is my first time swapping an engine
 

[Jeffy]

I'd go with a pre Vortec 5.7L.  They are simpler to swap in then the later OBDII engines.  It would be a lot easier if you have a donor truck to start with then just swap things over as needed.  You could probably sell the rest of the truck off to cover the cost of the swap as well.

Also, you'll probably have to swap over to a new radiator since GM's inputs and outputs setup for the opposites sides.  Not to mention, you probably have a single core radiator.  You'll want a dual core minimum.  Oh and if you're going to go auto, you might as well get a radiator that's for an auto so you have the cooler in the radiator as well.

[Android20]

Thanks for your advice....what years would be pre vortec and are they fuel injected? I am hearing that it is better to stay away from carbd

[Jeffy]

Thanks for your advice....what years would be pre vortec and are they fuel injected? I am hearing that it is better to stay away from carbd

Pre Vortec,  well technically they are called Vortec still, are TBI injection.  They run from 1987-1995, I think.

Carbed 350's suck.  Well, unless you're going to be running something fancy.  Gas mileage on a carbed 350 sucks as well.  I've got a '79 that gets 12-14mph but it's pretty strong even with the TH350.  It needs a rebuild though.

The engine code you want is L05.  Stick with a truck engine since they make better power lower down then the car engines.

[Rob the plumber]

I also think you might want to a trans and transfer case from a "little" blazer or Jimmy from the earlier 90's. The 4.3L has the same bellhousing pattern as the 350.

[chardrc]

I also think you might want to a trans and transfer case from a "little" blazer or Jimmy from the earlier 90's. The 4.3L has the same bellhousing pattern as the 350.

that is true but the nv3500 and what every auto trany they have behind it are different than the v8 versions...aka they are weaker. but its an option

[Clem]

What about axles and a radiator? There are conversion radiators that would cool this 350 properly. Not knowing if you have done an axle swap or not, that would also be a concern. A Dana 35 is easily broken by a four cylinder let alone a chev 350. You would want to grab as much of the "donor" vehicle as you could. This includes the wiring harness, the transmission, and even the t-case. Another consideration will be the over all length of your driveline out of the donor vehicle. Remember, you have a short wheel base vehicle. It can be done. Plan, plan, plan....

[Jeffy]

I also think you might want to a trans and transfer case from a "little" blazer or Jimmy from the earlier 90's. The 4.3L has the same bellhousing pattern as the 350.

Why mix and match?  Get the donor and forget about hunting for parts.  Most 1/2T's with the 5.7L will have a 700R4 in them already.  If it's not 4wd then he'll have to swap out the tail end.  GM's use a 5bolt pattern for the transfer case so unless you want that you might want to convert it to a 6 bolt which is more universal.

that is true but the nv3500 and what every auto trany they have behind it are different than the v8 versions...aka they are weaker. but its an option

It's the same auto transmission.

[Jeffy]

What about axles and a radiator? There are conversion radiators that would cool this 350 properly. Not knowing if you have done an axle swap or not, that would also be a concern. A Dana 35 is easily broken by a four cylinder let alone a chev 350. You would want to grab as much of the "donor" vehicle as you could. This includes the wiring harness, the transmission, and even the t-case. Another consideration will be the over all length of your driveline out of the donor vehicle. Remember, you have a short wheel base vehicle. It can be done. Plan, plan, plan....

If you go to radiators.com or radiatorbarn.com you'll find conversion radiators.  The SBC is a common swap.

I would consider an axle swap for both ends.  For axles, you could go with a 14B rear and maybe a D60 front from a Chevy or Dodge.  You'd be full-width but you can bring the tires in with some H1 or H3 wheels so it's no wider then stock axles with 3.75" BS.  Another option is to go with some SJ axles.  You can get a front from as far back as 1981 but make sure it doesn't have the vacuum disconnect in the housing.  The rear will be a Model 20 up until 1987 where it was changed to a Dana 44 till 1991.  Keep in mind that Corporate 14 Bolts are cheap compared to anything else.  If you can find a CUCV 1.25T GMC it will have a Detroit in it as well.

[chardrc]

as for the length.. remember that our jeeps have hood space for a straight 6 which leave a little extra room with a v8 to move it forward a bit id think... and most chevy  v8's are actually lighter than the 4L motor 

[damon54]

Jeffy are the Chevy transfer cases set up for a passenger side drop in the front axle?

[Jeffy]

Jeffy are the Chevy transfer cases set up for a passenger side drop in the front axle?

It will depend on the transfer case in question.  NP203, NP205 and NVG-241C will be passenger side, I think.  NVG231-C or HD will be driver I believe.  Really what you want to do is locate axles and then that will decide if you want to switch form passenger side to driver side drop.  Since he's swapping everything he can choose which way he wants to go.  He could go with a D300 or a D20 if he wanted lower gear options and get rid of the chain drive.  The D20 would be the shortest.  Although I'd probably go with a Stak 2-speed or even a 3-speed.

[Android20]

Thanks for all the info I will definitely do lots of research to do this swap right the first time

[enginethatcould]

It will depend on the transfer case in question.  NP203, NP205 and NVG-241C will be passenger side, I think.  NVG231-C or HD will be driver I believe.  Really what you want to do is locate axles and then that will decide if you want to switch form passenger side to driver side drop.  Since he's swapping everything he can choose which way he wants to go.  He could go with a D300 or a D20 if he wanted lower gear options and get rid of the chain drive.  The D20 would be the shortest.  Although I'd probably go with a Stak 2-speed or even a 3-speed.

What vehicle's came with the dana 300 Tcase?