V8 research

im looking to drop a v8 into an XJ im getting, i want to keep it 4wd because my over all plan for this jeep is a street pounder. like i said i want to to this, but i want to do it right the first or second time. i have seen some 350s in xj's, but i have no clue if thats what i want to do. im also looking to swap in a standard trans as well. i searched and came up with nothing. im hoping to be enlightened for my new project. i just dont know where to start, well other then asking for help.

what would be the easiest v8+standard trans combo to fit under the hood?


-Ian

i just dug this up, very useful.
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/xj_swap.htm

gen III chevy is going to be the best bang for your buck motor wise, for $500 in the junk yard you can get a low mile 5.3... factory roller, aluminum heads, 300+ hp etc.

as far as easiest to fit under the hood, ford 5.0 is tiny compared to a gen III

From my understanding alot of people are installing ls motors in the xj, easy adapter kits and you can keep all your own wiring with the plug and play kits they have now!

http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1033464

This is a nice build IMO.

Swamprat said:

im looking to drop a v8 into an XJ im getting, i want to keep it 4wd ... what would be the easiest v8+standard trans combo to fit under the hood?
-Ian

Click to expand...

I used the Novak motor mount kit, headers, and radiator to install a gen II Chev 350, 700r4 and a driver-drop NP241C. Novak also has a bell housing that mates an AX-15 to Chev if you want a manual transmission. In my opinion, it's best to find a motor and gearbox combination that works without a transfer case adapter. Be prepared to spend money on the cooling system. http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee365/larsen1962/CIMG0006.jpg http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee365/larsen1962/CIMG009x377.jpg http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee365/larsen1962/100_1960.jpg

hmm interesting. im leaning towards the ls1 with the ax15 that way i can have less adapters and crap. and maybe the gear shift will be in the right spot rather then far forward.

Few thoughts/comments:
If you're converting an auto XJ to a standard, keep in mind you'll have to source a whole new pedal assy. to get the clutch pedal.
AX-15 is going to be kind of "iffy" if you stick a big motor in front of it. They work fine behind a 4.0, but that's near the top of it's rating. The NV-3550('00/'01s) is a version of the NV3500. The -3500 is available with a Chevy bell housing. It's a little stronger then the -15.
Take the cooling issue to heart. The stock system is already about at it's limit cooling 200HP.

well, im starting small. if i can just manage to get a v8 in this XJ and have it all work fine i'll be happy for a little while. then i can start making more power, and breaking stuff. and my mind is on cooling, its going to drain my wallet for sure. thus why im planning out so i know what to buy, and exactly what to do.