Cherokee race car?

cotyp

cotyp

91 cherokee
Joined
Dec 5, 2012
Location
lincolnton
So i have been trying to think of a good vehicle to build that would be pre 95,cheap,something i do can a turbo ls swap ,and something different that i can have fun in.

After a little research i have found that a Cherokee would be a great car to build a "race car" out of considering the fact i can pick one up for <$1000 that is in good shape, a 2wd Cherokee weights less than 3000lbs (300zx,camaro and mustang all weight 3000lbs+) , and there are a couple ls swap kits for the Cherokee.

I was wanting to see what you guys thought about such an idea which i know most of you guys are going to think i must be part of the isis for wanting to do something like this.:flipoff2:

Here are a few threads and pics that inspired me.I am not crazy about either one of the jeeps but i see the potential for something crazy fast and different if i put in enough thought.

http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/project-becauseracejeep-173699/

http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/how-lower-xj-go-road-racing-72580/

ai61.tinypic.com_2ylo495.jpg
 
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are you actually going to race it?
The racing series/body rules might dictate a lot of what you do or need to do.
 
RatLabGuy said:
are you actually going to race it?
The racing series/body rules might dictate a lot of what you do or need to do.
Click to expand...

That's another thing i am going to have to put some thought into coming up with, because i don't know if i just want a fast road car or a real race car.
 
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I made it a few pages into the becauseracejeep thread. Need to remember to come back around to that one when I have more time.
 
I think its a great idea. I've always been amazed at how light XJ's were. I'd go for one with an NP242 case though so you have AWD, keep the HP D30, and put a stout axle in the back. My parents had a '90 XJ, 4dr, 4x4, power everything, and it was something like 3300lbs full of fuel.
 
I've thought about doing the same thing before.
Take an XJ, gut it tastefully, add either a well thought out stroker or a turbo to a properly prepped 4.0 and you'd have a fun little street Jeep. Two wheel drive would be great but I'd like to swap in a 249 ZJ case for the added traction in a street Jeep.
8 psi, AW4, 249 with an 8.8 rear? Sounds fun!
 
I would think that IFS could be built to handle better in a race rig. Also, I would want to brace/stiffen up the rig a bit if it is to handle some power/cornering.

I have thought about doing this with a ZJ/WJ, kinda like a early SRT8 kinda thing.
 
shawn said:
.... huh?
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Take out any trim panels, seats, etc that don't have to be there to save weight. But find that balance of functionality and aesthetics. Anyone could cut the interior, add a couple of parts store gauges and a plastic seat and call it a race car. But trim the fat without wrecking how it looks as well.
 
Jody Treadway said:
Take out any trim panels, seats, etc that don't have to be there to save weight. But find that balance of functionality and aesthetics. Anyone could cut the interior, add a couple of parts store gauges and a plastic seat and call it a race car. But trim the fat without wrecking how it looks as well.
Click to expand...

That is crazy talk.
 
AWD will be hard to achieve due to clearance with the front driveshaft and exhaust when lowered. 99+ models are fairly easy to supercharge because a simple piggyback and 7th injector help keep all maps incheck. 95 and below would be easier to turbo unless you want to run a stand alone fuel management like a megasquirt or the like.

Sprintex used to make a supercharger kit for the 4.0L. I havent seen it in some time so I dont know if its still available to be purchased new or not.
 
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