[jeep4play]

I have a 2.5/ 4cylinder and wanting to convert to a bigger motor, My thoughts were to change to a 4.0 but was told that if i'm going to do that I might as well move to a 5.2 chevy conversion. So my question is what all mods do I need to achieve this.

Jeep4play

 

[RikRotorhead]

I have a 2.5/ 4cylinder and wanting to convert to a bigger motor, My thoughts were to change to a 4.0 but was told that if i'm going to do that I might as well move to a 5.2 chevy conversion. So my question is what all mods do I need to achieve this.

Jeep4play

The Chevy is a 5.3, and that swap would take a lot more than a 4.0 swap would take.
The 4.0 swap isn't that hard to do, but you need to read up on how to do it before you even start to buy parts to do it.
Honestly, the TJ really doesn't need a V8 when the 4.0 is a very efficient low end torque engine. But... some people want more power to run bigger tires etc... Upgrading to a V8 to run bigger tires requires upgrading your axles and tranny. and drive shafts to handle the increased torque required to turn them over. If you plan to go with 37's or bigger then yes the V8 is worth it. 35's and smaller are easily pushed by the 4.0 efi.

 

[jeep4play]

Thanks Rik, with the advice I did do some reading up on what its going to take to acheive this conversion. I just bought this jeep a few months back for my son, we new going in that there was going to take some work but there is alot of issues with this one so I decide that we are going to sell it and get another one that doesn't as much attention. I have a 78 Golden Eagle that I'm doing a body off restoration on and much rather spend my spare time on it.

Jeep4play

 

[RikRotorhead]

Pics of said Golden Eagle?

 

[jeep4play]

Sure thing, Don't know why I didn't get a before pics before I started the tear down but heres a few in progress. while we are on this subject its a 304 that is pretty much stock, i need to replace the 2 barrel carb but not sure what would be a good replacement... Any suggestions

Pics of said Golden Eagle?

 

[jeep4play]

New here, can someone tell me how to post pics, I have them in my manage attachment file but cant figure out how to post them.

Jeep4play

 

[RikRotorhead]

Two ways.....
You can host ehem on another site like PhotoBucket and then link them here.
Or, when you post you will see a paper clip thingy at the top. Click on that. It will open another window.. Click 'browse' and double click the pic in your file. You can post seveal. When you are done click 'upload' and wait for it to upload them. Once they are uploaded you can close that window and they will appear with your post. You have to put at least ten characters of text into the post also.

 

[jeep4play]

I believe thats what I did the first time, I'll try it again

 

[RikRotorhead]

Wow! Nice work! Keep us updated.

 

[Barrie]

Nice work!

 

[Redjeeper]

Two ways.....
You can host ehem on another site like PhotoBucket and then link them here.
Or, when you post you will see a paper clip thingy at the top. Click on that. It will open another window.. Click 'browse' and double click the pic in your file. You can post seveal. When you are done click 'upload' and wait for it to upload them. Once they are uploaded you can close that window and they will appear with your post. You have to put at least ten characters of text into the post also.

totly off topic but i think that could be my dream frig. budlight corona and a jeep sign ontop.

 

[RikRotorhead]

totly off topic but i think that could be my dream frig. budlight corona and a jeep sign ontop.

Don't forget the Twinkies and Ding Dongs!
My son made the Jeep sticker.
Turned out pretty cool. <--see what I did there? Cool/fridge? Yuck chuckle.

 

[WadiBasher]

Hey how is the golden eagle coming? Looks like you havent posted in over a year? Way cool that you are restoring from the ground up. I would love to have a shop to do that on a vehicle someday.

 

[Ggg]

Changing from the 2.5L to a 4.0L will require a different ECM/harness, trans/trensfer case change, as well as new engine mount locations on the frame. Going to a V8 has nothing to do with that aspect of the engine swap. The 4cyl ECM/harness won't work with a 6cyl., the 2.5L trans (AX5) is too weak for the 4.0 and the AX5 version of the 231 has a different spline count so it will not mate to the 4.0L AX15 trans. The 2.5L engine mount locations only suit the 2.5L. If you want a 4.0L I would just buy a Jeep with it from the factory and be done with it. But if you were to go to the trouble of an engine swap you might as well make it something worth the effort rather than what you could buy stock from Chrysler.
Axles on a 2.5L Jeep are pretty anemic no matter what engine you have, and it doesn't take much tire to overwhelm them.
Having said all that I have a 2.5L YJ with the stock axles (locked), AX5, and 34" tires and it is a blast to drive off road. The engine has enough power to drive the tires yet not enough to break major parts each trip I go on.