Engine Swap - Best????

Engine Swap - Best????
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81CJ5baller

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Ridgefield WA
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1981 CJ-5 - currently strippd of body and gutting Iron Duke and frame off restoration in process!!!! Wooo Hooo......
So.....81 CJ5 Owner with a current AMC 150 Duke.....its going going, going..... (Anyone want it or any parts from it???). Anyhows.......looking for input on what you all would recommend as the best swap out.

As far as criteria....I want something that could be a daily driver in the summer (live in portland OR so soft top in the winter up here is not always the best.....must be getting old!), will be doing some offroading but nothing crazy. Want enough power to do 75 on the freeway and have fun but am concious of too much weight versus power.

Anyhow...very interested to hear thoughts and recommendations. V8 or V6 or I6? 302, 350, 327? 283? Aluminum heads or cast? :confused:

Need to consider Transmission as well as i will most likely be dumpuing the SR4 currently in it and swapping. Have no desire to do the frame off only to need a new tranny after grinding the old SR4 to shreads with a big horse up front.

Thanks in advance for any input you may provide!!
 
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Im a ford guy myself but i would say SBC because they are plentiful and cheap!
 
sbc all the way baby. although my dad had a 79 with a I6 and i really like it as far as power and torque. but it didnt get any better mileage than my 350. the 350 weighs more than the duke sure but not enough that i even noticed. a chevy v6 would be sweet to but the conversion isnt any more to do go ahead and go with a v8.
 
The cheapest way out would be to do the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l swap and keep your tranny, after that you could do a 4.0 and 5 speed swap and you would fuel injection. I swaped out my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with a Wagoneer 360 which would probably be the next cheapest. when it dies I am gonna go with the 5.7 HEMI so I will have multi port fuel injection, aluminum heads, and a roller cam :chug:
 
Kilo19 said:
Nice u pull that behind ur 85


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I wish...used to race a 67 Chevelle SS back in the day with a 427. Great engine but may be a little much for the ol' jeep.
 
Since there are so many options out there I will just give you what I like. A fresh AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with a full Clifford top end. Puts out like 200 plus horse and 200 plus foot pounds. I really like the 258s. I also like my T-176 Transmission . A good medium duty 4 speed. It doesn't have OD though. I guess the swap really all depends on your budget. AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with Transmission can be found in CL all the time around here. AMC 304 and 360s are also a fairly easy swap. I looked in to getting a Chevy 350. The swap got expensive sat because of the conversion kits.
 
diddy2003 said:
Since there are so many options out there I will just give you what I like. A fresh AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with a full Clifford top end. Puts out like 200 plus horse and 200 plus foot pounds. I really like the 258s. I also like my T-176 Transmission . A good medium duty 4 speed. It doesn't have OD though. I guess the swap really all depends on your budget. AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with Transmission can be found in CL all the time around here. AMC 304 and 360s are also a fairly easy swap. I looked in to getting a Chevy 350. The swap got expensive sat because of the conversion kits.
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There is a lot of money in a Clifford set up. A lot of mechine work done to the head. Ask me how I know. Thats if you can get them to grind you a cam. I built a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l cost me more then I wanted. But I wanted to keep my inline 6
 
I think going with a 4.0 high output is the best way to go. That way you end up with factory FI. I think it's the best engine Jeep ever used. IMO :)
 
I would have to agree with mtnwhlr the HO 4.0 is a great motor. Can be modified to a stock v8 power
 
How sick is "The Duke"? Terminal?

I may be interested.:eek:

I see that there is a 4.0L EFI (complete) on ebay right now. From what I gather, you'll need to change:
-bell housing.
-mounts.
-radiator.
-fuel pump.

It doesn't sound too difficult.
 
It runs. Kinda noisy....one bad compression cylinder. It sat for a long time. I am in construction and right after I got it of college I have had a company rig ever since.

If you are interested, I can provide cheap and complete. All equip on it.

Let me now.
 
I would be looking for a donor vehicle. Some thing with a 4.0 w/FI. Shouldn't nickel dime you to death. :D

Lots of $500 Cherokees around.
 
I can't believe It! Not one vote for a 440? I'm hurt and sad.
 
Tinman22 said:
I can't believe It! Not one vote for a 440? I'm hurt and sad.
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I will vote with you on the 440, oilfield job security! I like single digit fuel MPG's, makes the production bonuses look nice!


This won't be too expensive Dear! That's what I keep saying. Over and over again.
 
thiswontbetooexpensive said:
I will vote with you on the 440, oilfield job security! I like single digit fuel MPG's, makes the production bonuses look nice!


This won't be too expensive Dear! That's what I keep saying. Over and over again.
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I guess that means you like my V10 dodge truck.
I think you should share some of that bonus check with me.:D
 
My 82 CJ7 had a 4.0 HO motor swapped in by the PO. I love it for the most part I have ran it at 85-90 mph on the interstate before no prob smooth and doesn't mind cold mornings like a few of my previous jeeps with AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l 's. ( though I will say the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l 's are IMO the toughest motors ever put in a jeep I ran more than one hard and put away wet)
 
Old Dog said:
I guess that means you like my V10 dodge truck.
I think you should share some of that bonus check with me.:D
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Lol. I have a build thread here, that's what I am currently investing in. I will keep you in mind if I have a change of heart though!


This won't be too expensive Dear! That's what I keep saying. Over and over again.
 
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