v8 swap in a tj.

adam greene

adam greene

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Location
morganton
hey i wantin to do a v8 swap sometime in my 97 tj, what would be the best way to go with it, what motor? are there adapters to fit up to my tranny? and what bout wiring thanks.
 
thanks i no someone on here has done this swap before im wantin to use my ax15 and everything found the adapter to fit to a gm engine what engine would be best and what about wiring?
 
adam greene said:
thanks i no someone on here has done this swap before im wantin to use my ax15 and everything found the adapter to fit to a gm engine what engine would be best and what about wiring?
Click to expand...
Given your questions, I'd REALLY recomend getting one of the crate engines and kits from somewhere like 4wd.com
AS for what engine, something newer than 97, and a 350.
Cause you can fit a 350 in anything :)
(There are also kits for the hemi swaps, but they actually seem pricier)


That being said, don't forget everything else.
You might as well look to a wrecked unit, get a transmission that's MADE to handle v8 torque, and then don't forget the other things.
New axles, since if you have a d35 you'll explode that with the new power, etc etc.
 
are you definitly set on a V8 motor? Have you ever looked into strokin your 4.0? I personally have not done it yet, but it sure seems much easier.
 
matt97sport said:
so putting a 96 rebuilt 4.0 in a 97 would technically be illegal?
Click to expand...
Not so much "illegal" as if you have emissions in your county, it won't pass the inspection test.
So it will only be "illegal" when you try and drive it on the road.
 
yea i looked into the stroker last nite you can buy a long block for bout $3,500 or the kit for $2500 gives almost a hundred horses.
 
i think most people come out cheaper peicing a stroker kit together rather than ordering those like accurate power or hesco jeepstrokers.com has a lot of good info for this
 
matt97sport said:
so putting a 96 rebuilt 4.0 in a 97 would technically be illegal?
Click to expand...

No.

You can put an older engine of the same type, 4.0, etc., but it must have all the emissions components of the 1997 model year and pass emissions inspections. Because the 4.0 was offered in that vehicle, you'd be just fine with just about any of them in there, as long as the emissions passed.

Because a V8 was not offered in that vehicle, I'm not sure how you'd do that to be technically "legal". I'd imagine that you'd have to have that model year engine or newer and still be able to pass emissions for that vehicle regardless of what engine is in there
 
Easiest power upgrade would be a 4.6 or 4.7 stroker. Would be a no brainer emission inspections wise- most inspectors would not be able to tell the difference visually.

IMO a small block Ford swap would be quite easy if you are set on a V8. SBF's are narrow, easy to cool, and in a small package. 5.0, to an AOD to an Atlas is a very easy swap into a YJ or TJ.

Looking back, I wish I had done this instead of the 360 swap in my old YJ.

But emissions becomes an issue with any V8 swap. No undoable, just complicates things.
 
Back
Top