soon to be cj owner

[battleship]

This is my first post so a little background I have owned several jeeps 'the big cherokees and wagoneers, you know the beasties that get worse mileage than an abrahms M1' and AMC eagles but only one CJ5 when I was younger so I finally find myself in a position to build the Jeep CJ5 I want. preferably a 70 - 75 CJ5 w a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and a four speed and a minimal lift just enough to accomadate 33s none of this is written in stone but the motor will be turbocharged and cammed hopefully generating 275-300 HP other than that I am stiill fleshing it out. I am still shopping and researching right now but will be back from time to time looking for opinions and ideas. So this was my hello thanks.

 

[Vvajk]

Welcome aboard! I'm fairly new to the forum and was quickly impressed by the wealth of knowledge some of these guys have. You should be able to get most of your answers here. Congrats on your new project. Sounds like it's gonna be pretty sweet!

 

[BajaEdition]

I would first want to point out that I think you want a 72 to 75.
pre 72 cjs are what are known as short nosed Jeeps, in 72 they added 2 inches to the wheelbase, it showed up in the engine compartment and was added so they could put a strait 6 in the jeep, before this they used a v6. So to squeeze that 6 in a pre 72 creates problems.
When they did the change they also did a bunch of upgrades, such as putting the brake M/C on the firewall instead of under the body and other things, but the main changes came in 76 when AMC brought the Jeep into the modern age.
I can see that because you want to turbo charge it you do not want to use it off road as the turbo system is not a system to be used in off road use. Off road you want the torque as low as you can get it and a turbo builds power and torque at higher RPMs basically making it useless when you need it. Reving engines while 4x4ing only leads to expensive repairs. Nothing sounds sicker than the sound of popping an axle when you are 15 miles down a trail and off pavement.
A lot better idea would to look for a 4.0 out of a TJ and use it, it runs about 180 HP and even more torque, but it developed 80 percent of it's torque at idle. It is considered one of the best engines anyone has ever manufactured for a 4x4.
Good luck in your search.

 

[battleship]

Thanks for the info about the 72 to 75 yes this jeep will only see Limited off road use, just some beach driving and light get to the fishing spot trails want more of a daily driver W/ offroad ability for what I need. Was thinking today abuot staying normaly aspirated and getting power with more conventional means. Still looking into all of this so when I make my final decision in december my plan will be well laid out. So I have plenty of time to work this out. Was toying with the idea of adding NOS and the turbo but common sense took over, I would be scared to push the button jeeps aint meeant to go AMC 150 MPH lol.

 

[Vvajk]

Thanks for the info about the 72 to 75 yes this jeep will only see Limited off road use, just some beach driving and light get to the fishing spot trails want more of a daily driver W/ offroad ability for what I need. Was thinking today abuot staying normaly aspirated and getting power with more conventional means. Still looking into all of this so when I make my final decision in december my plan will be well laid out. So I have plenty of time to work this out. Was toying with the idea of adding NOS and the turbo but common sense took over, I would be scared to push the button jeeps aint meeant to go AMC 150 MPH lol.

Is this what you have in mind? YouTube - Ferrari vs Jeep Cj-7 0-156mph

Seriously though, Jeeps don't NEED that much power to get the job done. They're small and light enough, it doesn't take that much. But, I get the tempation.

 

[battleship]

Vvajk that was kickass would be real fun but my old cherokee with the 360 started to lift off the ground at 115! Would be good as a pinks racer though. Nah I just want somethin not run o the mill and enjoy the freedom of no roof etc. Just enough beef to shock some folks. Baja had me thinkin back in the day 1hp to 1ci was factory so pulling 250 to 300 from a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l is not all that big a task minus the turbo, but a turbo jeep would be quite the conversation piece. Least round where I live.