xj92
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Junction City, KS
So after all my work converting an '88 2.5 to MPI, electric fan, etc. to give it more power, it just isn't enough after my ax-15 install, 4x4 conversion, 8.8 rear, etc. I've been thinking about different engine swaps that would make it nicer to drive. I've ruled out the 4.0 simply because IMO there are much better engines available now (better power & mileage). Here are the two that I'm currently thinking about:
The 5.3 chevy would be nice and is one candidate, but it seems like you'd have to get one from a camaro or a car to avoid hood mods or the engine hanging down lower. I believe the intake manifold, oil pans, etc. can vary a lot on these. The advantages to this one are that novak offers most of the parts if you don't want to fabricate them yourself. The downside is cost (if you buy the parts) or time, research, & difficulty if you do it all on your own (not much room in the MJ engine bay).
The other candidate that I've been thinking about is the LLR Vortec 3700 GM straight 5 engine that is in 2007 and later Colorados and Canyons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Atlas_engine). It seems to me that a straight 5 would fit nicely between the narrow frame rails and generally be easy to swap in. Granted I would be custom fabricating everything. They are rated at 242hp/242 torque though and are supposed to get pretty good mileage. If it uses the 60 degree chevy pattern I might even be able to use my AX-15/231 behind it, but I could also use the tranny it comes with if necessary. I'm broke and it will be a year or two until this engine swap happens, so this is just future planning at the moment, but if anyone else thinks it might be interesting or has more info on this engine or has done this, please chime in on how feasible it would be.
Other thoughts:
Because the engine is narrower than a V engine I could possibly use the stock exhaust manifold and just have an exhaust system made from the down pipe back. Or if that doesn't work I'd have to just use the stock flange and create my own (I'd rather not).
For dashes and wiring, I'd probably just use a stock wiring harness for the engine, then either make the stock colorado gauges work or get aftermarket ones rather than try to mate them up to the mj gauges. I may end up building a custom dash at some point anyways because I'm tired of plastic that cracks and rattles on the stock dash.
The 5.3 chevy would be nice and is one candidate, but it seems like you'd have to get one from a camaro or a car to avoid hood mods or the engine hanging down lower. I believe the intake manifold, oil pans, etc. can vary a lot on these. The advantages to this one are that novak offers most of the parts if you don't want to fabricate them yourself. The downside is cost (if you buy the parts) or time, research, & difficulty if you do it all on your own (not much room in the MJ engine bay).
The other candidate that I've been thinking about is the LLR Vortec 3700 GM straight 5 engine that is in 2007 and later Colorados and Canyons (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Atlas_engine). It seems to me that a straight 5 would fit nicely between the narrow frame rails and generally be easy to swap in. Granted I would be custom fabricating everything. They are rated at 242hp/242 torque though and are supposed to get pretty good mileage. If it uses the 60 degree chevy pattern I might even be able to use my AX-15/231 behind it, but I could also use the tranny it comes with if necessary. I'm broke and it will be a year or two until this engine swap happens, so this is just future planning at the moment, but if anyone else thinks it might be interesting or has more info on this engine or has done this, please chime in on how feasible it would be.
Other thoughts:
Because the engine is narrower than a V engine I could possibly use the stock exhaust manifold and just have an exhaust system made from the down pipe back. Or if that doesn't work I'd have to just use the stock flange and create my own (I'd rather not).
For dashes and wiring, I'd probably just use a stock wiring harness for the engine, then either make the stock colorado gauges work or get aftermarket ones rather than try to mate them up to the mj gauges. I may end up building a custom dash at some point anyways because I'm tired of plastic that cracks and rattles on the stock dash.