Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => General Talk => Topic started by: BUKI on December 31, 2009, 10:02:29 AM

Title: v8 in a yj
Post by: BUKI on December 31, 2009, 10:02:29 AM
Does anyone know what parts are needed (besides the obvious engine, tranny trans, mounts) to replace a 2.5l with a v8?  whats the cheapest v8 swap (chev, ford, dodge) to do?  Any advise would be awesome.  Also where would a person get good used parts to do this?  I want to start buying these parts soon for the swap to be done in the summer.
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: Justink on December 31, 2009, 10:33:29 AM
Chev 350 would probably be easiest being as there so common.  and do you want efi or carb? 
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: Spinalguy on December 31, 2009, 10:46:40 AM
Does anyone know what parts are needed (besides the obvious engine, tranny trans, mounts) to replace a 2.5l with a v8?  whats the cheapest v8 swap (chev, ford, dodge) to do?  Any advise would be awesome.  Also where would a person get good used parts to do this?  I want to start buying these parts soon for the swap to be done in the summer.

PM somethingwicked on this site. He has done it.
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: BUKI on December 31, 2009, 12:26:12 PM
carb.  actually whatever is cheaper
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: .:.Dingman.:. on December 31, 2009, 01:01:11 PM
I have a 350 with carb and trans with less then 180,000km on it just need an engine lift to get it out.

I'm willing to let it go cheap pm if interested.

Dingman
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: cLAY on December 31, 2009, 01:02:09 PM
EFI is way better offroad and usually not much more money.

Quite a few Chev 4.3L V6(same configuration as the Chev 305/350) swaps going on right now and there are lots of aftermarket wiring harnesses to support them. As well as bolt in motor mounts.

Don't forget that going to a V8 will require an upgrade to a bigger rad, tranny and diffs, custom exhaust, custom crossmembers, custom length driveshafts....... Make sure you budget for it all.

Buying a wrecked truck/SUV with the desired drive train is usually the most cost effective method of getting all the pieces you need.

A 258/4.0L swap is more of a bolt in and less customizing.

Chev4.3/305/350 probably the cheapest if you can fab(assuming only engine/tranny not diffs), 258/4.0L is probably the simplest more direct swap but you'll probably pay more $$$ for the drive train although you can pick up a wrecked Cherokee with a 4.0L for pretty cheap these days.

I would take a EFI 6 cylinder over a V8 carb for wheeling any day.....

Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: BUKI on December 31, 2009, 02:00:50 PM
true i love the 4l too, who doesn't.  BUT it all has to be gutted anyways ax-5 wont work with v8/4l.  np 231 needs to be modified to accept both as well.   Someone once told me that going to 4l will be way more expensive, and the whole point is to keep it really cheap.  EFI seems to be very complicated with tons of issues and to buy a kit is in the thousands of dolars range.  I would like a dual purpose vehicle for ME, the wife just got a new JK.  I am very green at wheeling, and dont get too crazy, so getting really off camber and stalling is not really a concern of mine.
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: BUKI on December 31, 2009, 02:02:34 PM
Oh, and the sound of a v8 with a flowmaster is EPIC.
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: cLAY on December 31, 2009, 03:19:05 PM
A 4.0L will bolt in since it came in the YJ. Any V8 will need custom mounts, rad, crossmemebers and if you move the drivetrain forward and back for clearance you'll need custom length driveshafts.

I've driven V8 carbs offroad and have spent hundreds of dollars on spring loaded needles and seats and floats trying to get them to perform well when on an angle or bumping over a ledge. Never did get it to run decent on the trail when bouncing around.

If you are hung up on a V8 then only a V8 will satisfy you. If you simply want it to run good and reliably off road then buy a wrecked XJ with a good drievtrain and swap it all over, fuel injection included. Should be able to buy something for $500-$800.

Whatever yuo buy plan to spend some money on freshening it up. At the very least new gaskets(oil pan, front/rear main seals, etc). Nothing looks dumber than showing off your engine swap and its still all covered in oil/dirt and leaking.
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: hps4evr on December 31, 2009, 03:40:22 PM
dont forget the ford 5.0L. viable option. they are still kickin around. the ones from mustangs seem the be the cats meow. ive read that the stock 5.0L weighs less then a 4.0L jeep 6 cyl, and about 100 plus pounds less then a chev 350. not to mention it physically fits better as it is smaller all around.
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: Justink on January 01, 2010, 03:37:30 PM
I've driven V8 carbs offroad and have spent hundreds of dollars on spring loaded needles and seats and floats trying to get them to perform well when on an angle or bumping over a ledge. Never did get it to run decent on the trail when bouncing around.
I've drove a few carb v8's offroad and loved it.  Simple to fix not to bad to tune.  Any one I have drove has been running good enough that I haven't had any issues on or offroad.
my 0.02 cents

Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: Ostego on January 02, 2010, 11:50:46 AM
I've driven V8 carbs offroad and have spent hundreds of dollars on spring loaded needles and seats and floats trying to get them to perform well when on an angle or bumping over a ledge. Never did get it to run decent on the trail when bouncing around.
I've drove a few carb v8's offroad and loved it.  Simple to fix not to bad to tune.  Any one I have drove has been running good enough that I haven't had any issues on or offroad.
my 0.02 cents



I've only ever wheeled in V8's, maybe three or four times in a V6. (and of course atv's and bikes!)
Never had an issue with carb. motors....unless its REALLY cold or damp....but my old trucks don't like the cold or damp any who!  :D
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: parabs on January 02, 2010, 08:15:09 PM
dont forget the ford 5.0L. viable option. they are still kickin around. the ones from mustangs seem the be the cats meow. ive read that the stock 5.0L weighs less then a 4.0L jeep 6 cyl, and about 100 plus pounds less then a chev 350. not to mention it physically fits better as it is smaller all around.

The 5.0l is an excellent engine, makes lots of tq at reasonably low rpm, and has an incredible aftermarket...if possible, buy one from an explorer.  They have a superior head/intake design from stock and they likely havent been bagged...as hard.  If you find a wrecked v8 explorer from 96-01 (i think) they are all 5.0l, with an 8.8 rear end, however they all utilize an AWD system that would not be great to pirate.
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: after6queers on January 02, 2010, 09:29:07 PM
I know it has been said before...but I was just at Chanda the other day and Jay was replacing a 4 banger in a YJ for the 4.0 l. I am not sure how much work it will be but it has to be less then putting in a V8.
I also use to own a YJ that the person before switched in the 4.3l Vortec and I have to say that I prefer the 4.0l in my TJ.
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: Justink on January 02, 2010, 10:38:57 PM
I know it has been said before...but I was just at Chanda the other day and Jay was replacing a 4 banger in a YJ for the 4.0 l. I am not sure how much work it will be but it has to be less then putting in a V8.
I also use to own a YJ that the person before switched in the 4.3l Vortec and I have to say that I prefer the 4.0l in my TJ.
I currently have owned 2 4.0 litres and loved them.  They go forever and are relatively easy to work on.  The one I am going to DD has 244xxx k and loads of power.  The one i sold with 303xxx was lacking a little, but was still enough to have fun with.  Also with a 4L you don't have to really worry about upgrading diffs as much and a Cherokee with a decent powertrain can be picked up for around $500.
my 0.02 cents
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: BlackYJ on January 04, 2010, 08:19:22 AM
I did the 4L swap and used a wrecked XJ drivetrain as the donor.  The hardest part is the wiring harness in the engine.  You will need new frame side motor mounts, a new fan shroud and the driveshafts need to be modified but that is it.  All the gauges work fine, the radiator was good, etc
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: Justink on January 04, 2010, 06:02:35 PM
also a 4.0 H.O. puts out not much less then an older 350 does it not?
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: JackstandJohnny on January 04, 2010, 08:51:38 PM
an old carbed 350 puts out around 175hp.   throw on some vortec heads, and exhaust etc, and you can get some better numbers.  don't know if the marginal gains would be worth the extra man time though.......
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: Justink on January 04, 2010, 09:57:09 PM
A 4.0 H.O. should put out about 190 hp and 235 ft lbs of torque. Thats close to a carbuerated 350, might not sound as nice with a set of bottles though....  ;D (I'm still young and I kinda like the sound   ;))
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: mike s on January 06, 2010, 11:24:20 PM
Ah the sweet sound of torque... Forget HP figures and imagine fantastic bottom end grunt. Don't need loud exhaust with a V8, it'll have tons of power anyhow, can't hear myself think as it is without adding that drone on the highway of idiot exhaust. Your 2.5 should be injected already so stick with it, carbs really blow (OK @6000 RPM they work just as good as fuel injection, but crawling.....no). Thinking aluminum small block...
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: Spinalguy on January 06, 2010, 11:48:53 PM
A 4.0 H.O. should put out about 190 hp and 235 ft lbs of torque. Thats close to a carbuerated 350, might not sound as nice with a set of bottles though....  ;D (I'm still young and I kinda like the sound   ;))
i 'hear' ya...
i lopped off the brand new flowmasters and put the bottles on. That 71 4 bolt main sounds saweeet!
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: Justink on January 07, 2010, 07:58:29 AM
yea currently doin up a '81 olds cutlass outtin a 350 in.  After thats done headin to the muffler shop for something loud   ;D  (So what if I'm One of those guys)
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: Kirby350YJ on January 07, 2010, 02:54:40 PM
Build a small block chev. You cant go wrong with the torque and power outcome. I started out with a '93 YJ with the 4.0l and grabbed a cheap 350 block with crank and rods and pistons. Had it machined 30 over and started building. As far as the install went, I used a AA crossmember kit with mounts and bellhousing adapter for the ax-15 with the slave cylinder kit. Got a three core radiator off ebay for this type of swap. Run an electric pusher fan on the trail to help out the mechanical. All in all I spent around $5000 in parts and no labour in the entire swap and got a 398hp/441lbft torque. The ax15 has been alright behind it, but after two years of wheeling and pavement pounding it growls like a rock tumbler and shifts like crap. Not sure if I'm gonna rebuild it or not. The slave cylinder set up from AA gets hot from exhaust and has left me without a clutch twice on the trail. Probably going to go with a cable set up if I stay with the ax15. The whole drive train came forward 3.5"s so new driveshafts are a must. Best improvement you can do to a jeep in my mind. An as far as carb vs. fuel inj. goes I have had my fuel pump starve for fuel from the tank before my carb has gave out. And it works great from idle till it smacks the rev limiter @ 5500.

(http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt87/Kirby350YJ/jeep%20re%20build/P6210059.jpg)
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: BUKI on January 09, 2010, 05:54:14 PM
that looks incredible.
Title: Re: v8 in a yj
Post by: red95jeepyj on January 10, 2010, 12:52:16 PM
Hey i am running a sb 305 5.0 and well its all holding together okay with the stock drive train for now.I am planning on putting in some bigger axels in the future and i am just gonna rebuild the 305 for offroad use put a 2 barrel carb on her and she should get decent full milage but then again its a v8 hahaha