YJ 4cyl. to a GM 350

andysleds

andysleds

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Jul 8, 2005
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Home:Kernersville Work:Greensboro
Hey guys, I am in the hunt to convert my 94 YJ to a 350. I am looking for advice and experience. I have changed motors in vehicles before and am good in the shop. I already have the 350 out of a old Corvette with 70,000 miles. It is a decent motor but is in need of a high performance cam. Any suggestions on the change over would be great. I am not too sure what the better/best trans and transfer are to fit my application. Also, radiator, steering, axles, tires, etc.

Currently the jeep has a 2" body lift with new 31 BFG/AT's. I want a good dependable street vehicle but good off road as well.

Also, if anyone has a trans and transfer I'd consider buying it.
 
Slightly off topic, but how do you plan to pass emissions with the old vette engine? I am assuming you are talking about either a TPI or even carbed 350?
:confused:
 
Well first off check out Novak Conversions web site. They have some good information on swapping Chevy or Ford small blocks into a Jeep. You will need to change the rear Dana 35C axle out before doing this swap or shortly there after. The Ford 8.8 is a good swap and if you can find out of 97 thru 2000 explorer you get rear disk brakes with it. The AX5 tranny that came stock in all the 4 cylinder jeeps is a piece of junk. You will need to get a 350 or 400 tranny and Novak sales a adapter that will adapt the NP231 stock transfer case from a Jeep to it. Stock Jeep radiators are not good for this from what I have read. Big Daddy sales one for this conversion as well as Novak conversions. You can get Big Daddy products at a local NC shop called Go Fer It Offroad. They also have a web site.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/
 
id do a 60 in the rear, an 8.8 wont hold up to that HP, especially if its an LS1. id definately run a th350/241 combo with an SYE, that will be pretty short and should handle the HP if built correctly. and why is everyone so freaked about emmisions? this isnt cali fawkers :flipoff2:
 
the 8.8 will handle the horse power we ran one in a super charged Mustang at the strip and never broke it. The Explorer axle has 31 splines and is stouter then the Mustang version. With that being said I do agree that the Dana 60 is a much stronger axle but it takes away clearance. If you are not running 35" or up tires it may get in the way.
 
Metto said:
id do a 60 in the rear, an 8.8 wont hold up to that HP, especially if its an LS1. id definately run a th350/241 combo with an SYE, that will be pretty short and should handle the HP if built correctly. and why is everyone so freaked about emmisions? this isnt cali fawkers :flipoff2:
Click to expand...

I disagree the 8.8 is very strong. Just look at all of those mustangs that race with it.
As far as lots of HP in a jeep for wheelin you really don't need it. a stock 4.0 has plenty if power. I have a Stock 350 TBI in my 84 J10 with a 4l60e 4sp auto and I have plenty of power and I don't break stuf.
 
8.8's will take most stuff from 351's, 400's, and even 460's in Bronco's and F-150's, they can take a 350 easily. What year is the 350 from? LT1/LS1 YJ would be great...
 
Just to add fuel to the fire... Mustangs run what.. 27" tires, with numerically low gearsets, and do NOT have a 2.7:1 or higher low range. My anemic 305 will put more stress on an axle than a 500hp car.

BUT, if you're gonna hang around <36" or so tires, you should be OK, depending on your driving style.
 
Do you want to run a manual or auto tranny?
 
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