304 into in an XJ?

[go4wheeling]

has any one ever herd of anyone doing a 304 into a xj?

[goodburbon]

yes.

[go4wheeling]

its the jeep 304 out of a cj-5, is it a pain in the ace?

[Lawn Cher']

its the jeep 304 out of a cj-5, is it a pain in the ace?

Bolt pattern is the same as the 4.0, so assuming you can fab or acquire engine mounts you should be good to go.

[go4wheeling]

the bolt pattern?... for what?... tranny or motor mounts or what?

[87manche]

the bolt pattern?... for what?... tranny or motor mounts or what?
for the trans.
You'll have to figure out a flexplate/flywheel, but the bellhousing will bolt up.

[go4wheeling]

oh well the one that im looking to buy comes with the tranny and transfercase so i wouldnt have to worry about that shit. thanks

[Lawn Cher']

oh well the one that im looking to buy comes with the tranny and transfercase so i wouldnt have to worry about that shit. thanks

Which T-case? Any of the small jeeps from which a 304 would come would have a passenger side drop, unlike the XJ which has a driver side drop.

[dfreeman616]

while you can do it, a good question is why? depends on what drivetrain you're replacing i supose, but as i recall, the 304 specs for power are no better than a 4.0L, renix or HO.

[RedHeep]

oh well the one that im looking to buy comes with the tranny and transfercase so i wouldnt have to worry about that shit. thanks

You obviously have no idea what you're doing. A 304 swap with a foreign tranny and tcase into an XJ is going to require two things: Time and money. One can be subsituted for the other, but it sounds like you need to rethink the process. Like LC said, you can't put a passenger side drop tcase into the xj without an axle swap, etc., etc. Can it be done? Sure, but why? That 304 makes the same horse as a good stroker motor, a stroker causes none of the headaches.

[j99xj]

You better have a stick if you want to swap a v8. The AW4 needs the 4.0s computer to work, as far as I've read.

Anyway, I think a 4.0 stroker would be better and cheaper.

If you want a V8 Jeep, buy one, they are everywhere. The Grand Cherokee 4.7, 5.2, and 5.9 are all good engines, and perform great stock. Plus you get the blessing of fuel injection, something the AMC V8s never had.

[dfreeman616]

i believe the aw4 only needs the 4.0 computer on 91 and newer, but i could be mistaken. i know renix aw4's have a seperate computer located behind the passenger side knee bolster.

[MogifiedXJ]

If you want a V8 why not just go with a chevy or even (god forbid) a small block ford. Both engines will be cheaper, easier to build, and if you don't want to do all of the fabricating there is already kits out there to do it. Just a thought though.

[87manche]

i believe the aw4 only needs the 4.0 computer on 91 and newer, but i could be mistaken. i know renix aw4's have a seperate computer located behind the passenger side knee bolster.
you still need a TPS input for that
Unless you shift it manually

[go4wheeling]

You obviously have no idea what you're doing. A 304 swap with a foreign tranny and tcase into an XJ is going to require two things: Time and money. One can be subsituted for the other, but it sounds like you need to rethink the process. Like LC said, you can't put a passenger side drop tcase into the xj without an axle swap, etc., etc. Can it be done? Sure, but why? That 304 makes the same horse as a good stroker motor, a stroker causes none of the headaches.

Please dont tell me i dont know what Im doing because you dont know what I run. I can get a 304 for cheap and i need a new motor so this is why Im asking this question. Thank you

[ROBZ95Xj]

needs the 4.0s computer to work, as far as I've read.

you need to read some more, he can still use the AW4 with BrettM's shifter and controll it manually
http://www.awshifting.com/

[Israel]

Please dont tell me i dont know what Im doing because you dont know what I run. I can get a 304 for cheap and i need a new motor so this is why Im asking this question. Thank you

I think the concern is that your questions are pretty basic for someone who will be performing a complete drivetrain swap. Stuff that you should already know if you were going to be able to perform the job successfully.

Are you sure this is what you want to do? V8s in cherokees are unique and kind of cool, but the one you are wanting to swap will be a gas guzzler with little or no power gains over a 4.0 and definitely no advantage over a stroker.

Just because you can get it cheap doesn't make it a good choice.

[JONNYD]

My local engine shop guy has done 3 older cherokee's with small blocks. Width of the engine was the biggest problem... getting headers and steering and all that jazz to fit. He did 1 with a chevy 350 and the others were 304's....but they were built 304's (250+ hp). I gotta believe a junkyard running 4.0 direct swap will be much easier, create the same power, have better gas mileage, and cost less....even if you are getting this drivetrain for next to nothing. I have seen used (100k-150k miles) renix 4.0 engines with tranny & t-case attached go for less than $500. Just my $0.02. Good luck with the swap if you do it. It should be cool looking. Post some pics! They say necessity is the mother of invention...maybe you can change some minds out there!
-Jon

[mgfabpd]

It is possable, and I have done it, with the exception of using a 360, which is basically the same block.
My reasoning was about the same as yours, I needed a new motor, I got it for free, it only had 54 k on it, and I just happen to run a fab shop, so I knew I had the tools & know how to make it work.
I dont want to make this too long, but here are some tips:

1. You will have to build your own motor mounts

2. The stock V8 manifolds fit the best

3. You will have to clearance the firewall in order to place the motor far
enough back to use the stock transmission crossmember

4. I used the stock AX-15, with the V8 flywheel that I turned down to the
same thickness as the AX-15 flywheel

5. You have to make your own pilot bushing

6. If you dont want to cut your hood, get a drop down air cleaner

This is about as easy as it gets w/ the exception of the machine work, take you time, and think ahead.
One more thing, before you install the motor, it would be a good idea to atleast install a cam, intake, and carb if you want to see a V8 type power gain, especially with a 304. Good luck!

[rebel68]

Have you finished it yet. I'm wanting to do a similar swap, except with a built 401. (lets see a 4.0l or even a stroker get 500+hp). I have a 727 out of a grand wagoneer. and would like to use a np231 or np242 t-case, if I can get it to all work together. If you have any tips for me it would be appriciated.

[sandmcrew2]

ooo

[BBeach]

Not to hijack the thread, but how hard is it to put an LT1 into a cherokee and does anyone know if theres a difference with a police package LT1?

[ROBZ95Xj]

Not to hijack the thread, but how hard is it to put an LT1 into a cherokee and does anyone know if theres a difference with a police package LT1?
i wouldnt bother with a LT1, LS1's are alot better

[DeadEyeJ]

I'd like to put a thermonuclear powerplant in my XJ. I'm guessing that I can push at least 2 million horsepower with this, and I can get one for next to nothing. With the cost of gasoline these days, I'm really looking to switch to enriched uranium or plutonium. My dad has Craftsman tools, so it should go smoothly.

Has anyone done this swap before? Is there an adapter plate for it? Will I need a bigger radiator, or one from a YJ work ok?

Please help,
Jared

[BBeach]

i wouldnt bother with a LT1, LS1's are alot betterLS1's arent waiting for me on an engine stand once i get a couple hundred ready...Id take an ls1 anyday but this one's at my uncles, I just gotta talk to him about it some more and save up some money, it wouldnt be any time soon at all seeing as im a broke college student, but its nice to dream and see if its even feasible right? :laugh:

[BBeach]

I'd like to put a thermonuclear powerplant in my XJ. I'm guessing that I can push at least 2 million horsepower with this, and I can get one for next to nothing. With the cost of gasoline these days, I'm really looking to switch to enriched uranium or plutonium. My dad has Craftsman tools, so it should go smoothly.

Has anyone done this swap before? Is there an adapter plate for it? Will I need a bigger radiator, or one from a YJ work ok?

Please help,
Jared
Talk to novak adapters, be sure to have at least a d60 out back.... :explosion

[fitbmxseries1]

with a chevy engine what tranny would be the best choice? id probably never do a v8 swap into an xj but the thought is there. or unless i could get a rolling shell of an xj id just pull the engine tranny and engine managment system out of my trans am ( and put an ls7 in the t/a)......... only if i had the money. *deep sigh*

[Root Moose]

Has anyone done this swap before? Is there an adapter plate for it? Will I need a bigger radiator, or one from a YJ work ok?


N00B! Search.

Cooling tower on the hood is what you need.

:D

[aszaunmi]

I'd like to put a thermonuclear powerplant in my XJ. I'm guessing that I can push at least 2 million horsepower with this, and I can get one for next to nothing. With the cost of gasoline these days, I'm really looking to switch to enriched uranium or plutonium. My dad has Craftsman tools, so it should go smoothly.

Has anyone done this swap before? Is there an adapter plate for it? Will I need a bigger radiator, or one from a YJ work ok?

Please help,
Jared
Just talk to marty McFly from back to the future. He has a friend that can hook you up with a flux capacitor and some other goodies. With is 1.21 jiggawatt mod you can just travel thru time and jump from place to place before rocks were created. No lift or horse power will be needed if you use is mod....:passgas:

Hell, my jeep has a few gerbils with a brownie hang'n in front of them... It still gets me where I need to go..

Good luck with your big engine dreams...

[mattyg]

i thought this board was an information resource not a bunch of yahoos that when they don't like something they mock, makefun of and belittle
grow up yahoos i thought it was a ligitimit q at least he didn'yt ask to swap a 350 or 5.0 when you search this topic you find a lot of the above

heres a good place for you trolls www.pirate4x4.com

[rebel68]

i thought this board was an information resource not a bunch of yahoos that when they don't like something they mock, makefun of and belittle
grow up yahoos i thought it was a ligitimit q at least he didn'yt ask to swap a 350 or 5.0 when you search this topic you find a lot of the above

heres a good place for you trolls www.pirate4x4.com (http://www.pirate4x4.com)




Good point. There are lots of other threads out there with info on the basterdized chevy conversions, The original question was about an AMC engine made to work in an AMC designed vehicle. It seems there are alot of people out there who seem to know everything about everything but nobody can seem to give a complete answer to a simple question, and that question is has anybody put a 304 C.I.D. ( or any other AMC V8 for that matter ) into a XJ??????? If you have, please responde to this question and show me that this site isn't just full of a bunch of concrete cowboys and people who have their oil chnged at the dealership.

[WB9YZU]

i thought this board was an information resource not a bunch of yahoos that when they don't like something they mock, makefun of and belittle
grow up yahoos i thought it was a ligitimit q at least he didn'yt ask to swap a 350 or 5.0 when you search this topic you find a lot of the above

heres a good place for you trolls www.pirate4x4.com (http://www.pirate4x4.com)

Good point. There are lots of other threads out there with info on the basterdized chevy conversions, The original question was about an AMC engine made to work in an AMC designed vehicle. It seems there are alot of people out there who seem to know everything about everything but nobody can seem to give a complete answer to a simple question, and that question is has anybody put a 304 C.I.D. ( or any other AMC V8 for that matter ) into a XJ??????? If you have, please responde to this question and show me that this site isn't just full of a bunch of concrete cowboys and people who have their oil chnged at the dealership.

Only 10 posts..., nice. Sure there are some loose lugnuts around here, but that doesn't excuse the attitude.

To answer your question, well, likely not. You see the XJ never came with a V8 "AMC" engine, only a 2.5, 2.6GM and a 4.0L. Older XJs 84-87 seemed to work well for V8 conversions due to a slightly different engine bay and different radiator support.
In newer units, they modified the radiator support to mount the horizontal radiator and the fire wall is slightly different.

Can a V8 go in a XJ, yes.
Can you use bolt in parts, no.
Will it be easy, no.
Is this truely and Advanced Engineering question, Yes.
Is this much different than landing a SB Chev, SB Ford or SB Mopar engine in that bay, no. The job will be easier though if you have an entire donor drivetrain.
Is it a popular mod that there will be a list of parts you need to purchase and a write-up somewhere explaining in detail how to do it, no.

It's all custom from the point you decide to drop in other than a factory engine. There are, as you say, a number of SB Chev and even some SB Mopar articles around here to look at and a search wouldn't hurt.

The end run is that it IS easier to find a used 4.0L than to put in that free "Other Brand" engine.

Good Luck!
Ron

[CanJeep]

you stupid shit amc jeep xjs never came with a 2.6 they came with a 2.8 CHEVY it was a 173 cid get your facts right. maybe you should look at the ford I6 4.9L maybe the H.O model they were torque monsters that you could lug down to almost 100 rpm and you can also get them dirt cheap from 80-87 ford half tons

[rebel68]

Still waiting for an answer to the originall question. I know from reading other threads there are people out there who say they have put AMC v8's in XJ's. But they are not responding to this thread. those of you who have done this modification know how difficult it is and I would hope they would share their knoledge so others may not make mistakes maybe they have. And please this thread was started asking about AMC V8's in XJ's so if youre just going to suggest alternitive power plants and not help at all then start your own thread and suggest any wierd ass thing you want .

[WB9YZU]

you stupid shit amc jeep xjs never came with a 2.6 they came with a 2.8 CHEVY it was a 173 cid get your facts right.

Sorry about the typo.

Rebel68, did you look at this thread?
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20309

Ron

[mattyg]

Only 10 posts..., nice. Sure there are some loose lugnuts around here, but that doesn't excuse the attitude.


does the number of posts give you some sort of credit when someone asks about a V8 swap the the reply is "how are you gonna mount the flux capacitor you got from marty mcfly" lame if you ask me there is trekky web sites around if you have nothing informitive to add

as for swaps why not a 4.3 to 700r to 231 the chevy 231 will work witha current sye kit and the front yoke should be swabalbe, with a v6 you can position the tcase in the stock location and use current dshafts
the 700r is as tough as the t350 but has overdrive and a better first gear

thats what i would do if i had the time and money
i still have 2 diesal xjs one torched one vandalized to make something out of
later

[DirtyMJ]

The reason this thread is a joke is that the origonal poster obviously has NO CLUE about what he was going to be doing. This is advanced fab; not we're going to hold you hand through an engine swap.


As I see it, an engine swap isn't really fab/engineering anyways. Unless you're going to make your own adapters or do something really funky (think rear engine conversion).

[WB9YZU]

does the number of posts give you some sort of credit when someone asks about a V8 swap the the reply is "how are you gonna mount the flux capacitor you got from marty mcfly" lame if you ask me there is trekky web sites around if you have nothing informitive to add

No, but it does indicate a certain intollerance for the shinanigans of folks who not only have been here a while, but some of them were club Members. A bad foot to start off on here, trust me.

Ron

[Root Moose]

as for swaps why not a 4.3 to 700r to 231 the chevy 231 will work witha current sye kit and the front yoke should be swabalbe, with a v6 you can position the tcase in the stock location and use current dshafts
the 700r is as tough as the t350 but has overdrive and a better first gear

Indeed, why not?

If you (vernacular you) would search you would see that these topics have had much discussion.

If you (again, vernacular) came back with pointed questions to SPECIFIC ISSUES WITH THE CONVERSION(S) some of the "old-timers" or people in the know may be inclined to offer some insights.

Or maybe not; between the attitude displayed and the likelihood of people who have done the swap camping on the site just waiting to answer every little post about this type of conversion you still may hear crickets responding to your questions. With some searching you may even obtain the user name of someone that has actaully done the swap.

Oh! The novelty!

The first prerequisite to getting quality help is showing that you've at least attempted to help yourself.

<tossing_a_bone /> The AW4 bolts to the 242/258... So it bolts to a AMC V-8 as well. Think about that and everything it implies.

HTH

[juryrigjalopy]

There are so many other alternatives........
rocket straped to lincoln (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpUMSarCSQw)
http://www.darwinawards.com/i/art/zeebarf/jato2.jpg
http://www.ronpatrickstuff.com/images/SCOOTE2PScopy.jpg
http://www.ronpatrickstuff.com/images/VW_Rear_Open1_PScopy.jpg
(http://www.ronpatrickstuff.com/images/VW_Rear_Open1_PScopy.jpg)

[JJacobs]

Good point. There are lots of other threads out there with info on the basterdized chevy conversions, The original question was about an AMC engine made to work in an AMC designed vehicle. It seems there are alot of people out there who seem to know everything about everything but nobody can seem to give a complete answer to a simple question, and that question is has anybody put a 304 C.I.D. ( or any other AMC V8 for that matter ) into a XJ??????? If you have, please responde to this question and show me that this site isn't just full of a bunch of concrete cowboys and people who have their oil chnged at the dealership.

Yes, it's been done, by myself and several others. It's no big deal. However, I am pretty much a "concrete cowboy" these days and your attitude doesn't really make me want to help much. Not to mention I have posted pics and detailed instructions before, usually not even garnering so much as a thanks.

So, yep it's possible, let me see it when you're done- that's about how mine went.

[rebel68]

Sorry about the typo.

Rebel68, did you look at this thread?
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20309

Ron


Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. This is exactly what I'm looking for. I don't Know why I could not find it on my own. I tried the advanced search and scrolled through tons of threads and never came across this one. I guess Iam better in the shop than on the computer.... This thread answers almost all of my questions and the link in the thread is awesome.

Much apreciated

[rebel68]

Yes, it's been done, by myself and several others. It's no big deal. However, I am pretty much a "concrete cowboy" these days and your attitude doesn't really make me want to help much. Not to mention I have posted pics and detailed instructions before, usually not even garnering so much as a thanks.

So, yep it's possible, let me see it when you're done- that's about how mine went.

Sorry to offend you with my attitude. But I was just getting tired of people responding with useless info. I've read some of youre other posts and replies and found them very usefull. I think I found the thread that you posted your pics on but they did not come up.. Too bad cause I'd really like to see them