318 mated to a AX-15

ls197tj

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Location
wingate/apex
I've got a 97 wrangler that i've given up putting a ls1 in due to money reasons and a buddy of mine has a 5.2 out of a zj, Would there be any major difficulties in swapping the 5.2 in the wrangler other than changing up the motor mounts.

Would it be easier to run the automatic out of the zj??? Or is all this to much of a hassle and i should just throw in a 4.0???

thanks
matt
 
From what I've gathered at naxja.org, you'll have to use the 42re out of the zj. Personally, I'd ditch the whole thing and build a stroker out of the 4.0 to a 4.7 or 4.8, It'll end up being the same amount of money, possibly, and put out just as much torque, possibly (all depends on what you want out of it). Check jeepforum.com, tons of info on there.
 
well to answer your question, yes you can put an AX-15 behind it... Will it hold? Probly not too long, esp combined with wheeling... But there were some dakotas made with the AX-15 behind them... so you need a V6 or V8 bellhousing from a dakota for the AX-15, and probly the clutch for that as well... Also, you might haveto do something with the computer, as it will think there is an auto...

It would be easier to go with the stock GC tranny... or stick with a 4.0L...
 
The 42 re wil not bolt to the 5.2. The 42 has the AMC bolt pattern, which the 5.2 does not. You will need a Dakota manual from behind a V8 for a bolt in swap.
 
WNC Custom Jeeps said:
The 42 re wil not bolt to the 5.2. The 42 has the AMC bolt pattern, which the 5.2 does not.
Click to expand...


ok....Go tell Jeep that all those 42re's are falling off the 5.2 cause they are the wrong bolt pattern.

42re came behind damn near every 318 put in a Jeep from the factory

EDIT:
DAMN! I just burned myself.. it was the 44re god I hate when I do that.
 
thanks for the info from what i can gather its going to be a hassle with what ecu to run. And i can see how the Ax-15 won't hold up esp with the way i thrash on my stuff

Its looking like stroking a 4.0 will be my best bet.
 
mbalbritton said:
EDIT:
DAMN! I just burned myself.. it was the 44re god I hate when I do that.
Click to expand...

You get like that after your junk sits (without being wheeled for 3 or is it 4? years!). Right Rob? :flipoff2:


ls197tj said:
thanks for the info from what i can gather its going to be a hassle with what ecu to run. And i can see how the Ax-15 won't hold up esp with the way i thrash on my stuff

Its looking like stroking a 4.0 will be my best bet.
Click to expand...

And you think it'll live any longer behind a stroker (more HP/TQ than the 5.2)? :popcorn:
 
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