wanting a new engine

[1982 Jeep CJ7]

I currently have a 1982 CJ7 Laredo with an inline 6 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l engine. I am wanting to put something a little bit bigger in it that is around the 2000 dollar range. I want to know if anyone knows what type and size of an engine would fit and what would be the best to go with. I am new to this forum stuff so if I posted this under the wrong place please tell me.

 

[wm69]

Depends on exactly what you want out of it. A AMC 304 /360 would probably be your easiest bet. 350 GM motors are always popular, but then you're looking at adapters to get the rest of the drivetrain to work. What Transmission are you running?

I personally like the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . No HP, but lots of torque, and they last forever.

 

[CJim7]

AMC 304 , 360, 401 are literally a "drop in" engine...just change an engine mount, re-do the exhaust, re-route the fuel line to the driver side of the engine bay, and possibly replace the radiator. That's pretty much it.

 

[Petescj]

AMC 304 , 360, 401 are literally a "drop in" engine...just change an engine mount, re-do the exhaust, re-route the fuel line to the driver side of the engine bay, and possibly replace the radiator. That's pretty much it.

All this and depending what Transmission you have you'll need to swap that as well. The T-4 , T-5 AND SR4 will not handle a V-8. The T-176 will but if you dont have it already there are better transmissions to put behind it. It also depends on how you plan on using your Cj. This thread will help you identify what Transmission you have now.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f105/manual-cj-transmissions-12112/

 

[CJim7]

All this and depending what Transmission you have you'll need to swap that as well. The T-4 , T-5 AND SR4 will not handle a V-8. The T-176 will but if you dont have it already there are better transmissions to put behind it. It also depends on how you plan on using your Cj. This thread will help you identify what Transmission you have now.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f105/manual-cj-transmissions-12112/

Absolutely. A tranny upgrade is definately recommended.

 

[poppatello]

Don't forget the rear axles. If you have the stock axle shafts you need to install one piece axles. If you don't know what you have, once you install a V8 you will soon find out...

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Don't forget the rear axles. If you have the stock axle shafts you need to install one piece axles. If you don't know what you have, once you install a V8 you will soon find out...

Actually if you have an AMC20 rear end with the 2 piece axle shafts they need to be changed to 1 piece regardless of engine size; those 2 piece bad boys will leave you stranded just a quick in the Wally World parking lot as they will out on the trail. Keep your Jeep, Jeep go with an AMC V8 and leave the SBC to the muscle cars.

 

[grozam]

I've got a 1981cj7 with the 350 cu.in. / turbo 350 Transmission conversion. I like it alot. Easy to work on and very dependable. Lots of power. Best horsepower to cost as well. More 350s out there and cheaper parts than any other v8.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

I've got a 1981cj7 with the 350 cu.in. / turbo 350 Transmission conversion. I like it alot. Easy to work on and very dependable. Lots of power. Best horsepower to cost as well. More 350s out there and cheaper parts than any other v8.

In my Opinion: All the accolades to the SBC given, but once you turn your Jeep into a Cheepvy on balance in my neck of the woods the value goes down. Check Craig’s List, the SBC converts are the ones that stay for sale the longest. I know dyed in the wool Chevy guys get all giddy at the thought of stuffing one under the hood of just about anything regardless of flavor and I will give you the fact that it can work fine, and I know a lot of the parts Jeep used over the years were sourced from GM but anyone who respects the CJ heritage will keep their Jeep, Jeep; doesn’t mean we aren’t all brethren out on the trail but…….

 

[poppatello]

In my Opinion: All the accolades to the SBC given, but once you turn your Jeep into a Cheepvy on balance in my neck of the woods the value goes down. Check Craig’s List, the SBC converts are the ones that stay for sale the longest. I know dyed in the wool Chevy guys get all giddy at the thought of stuffing one under the hood of just about anything regardless of flavor and I will give you the fact that it can work fine, and I know a lot of the parts Jeep used over the years were sourced from GM but anyone who respects the CJ heritage will keep their Jeep, Jeep; doesn’t mean we aren’t all brethren out on the trail but…….

 

[mtnwhlr]

I think a good swap is the 4.0 high output out of a '90 Cherokee or Wrongler. It keeps it all Jeep and you get FI. IMO

 

[grozam]

I know the value is more on any original, but i didn't buy it to sell and i get alot of compliments on it for having the 350 in it. It is bad a*s with the drive train that's in it.
Haven't seen an original one that can stay with it and i know chevys like the back of my hand. I like the fact that chevys are more interchangable part wise than anything out there, so it's my favorite choice in the jeep i have to maintain.

 

[1978goldeneagle]

go for the 360 baby.. easiest swap and they are a dime a dozen in the wagoneer. amc motors might not have the high horsepower numbers like the chevy boys do but our torque spanks them evertime. What's needed off road? In my humble opinion its low end torque. and my 360 is going to make all of it between 2500-3500 rpm's oh yeah and keep the jeep, a jeep x100

 

[johnnyreb]

SBC:down: Keep jeep a jeep. I like the 4.0 swap and install a clifford intake and run a MC2100 carb.

 

[jgjeeper]

The original engine in my CJ7 was a AMC 304 . Got completely worn out. A buddy said it cost just as much to rebuild a AMC 304 as it did to build a 360, so why not build and install a 360. So that's what we did. It has been a great engine for the last three years. Swapped it right in. Just this last week we finished swapping a GM TBI onto it. Technically not pure Jeep anymore but mostly. It works even more awesome now!