Turbo vs engine swap

Just kinda guessing by your goals and requirements here, but doing your own budget turbo kit might well be the way you should go. You can do it on the cheap with research and some elbow grease. If you are willing to take the time to do it, tuning is really the only thing I see you not being able to DIY. Assuming you the 4 bangers use the same JTEC ecu, you could probably find someone to do that for you.

If it were me and I was planning to turbo my '98 4 banger, I'd start off asking around about tuning specifically your rig. Then determine what injector upgrades are available (do they just use the same as 4.0s?--if so, that's easy). I would assume the fuel pump is the same which should be plenty for a small turbo. Then you need to figure out how to mount a turbo and route all the intake/exhaust piping. You'd have to spend some time looking up his other people have done custom turbo installs, but it's all basically the same while all being custom fit. A water/air intercooler setup would probably be easiest to package but there's more plumbing involved. Turbo selection is the easiest part of it all.

How is your welding?
 
Just kinda guessing by your goals and requirements here, but doing your own budget turbo kit might well be the way you should go. You can do it on the cheap with research and some elbow grease. If you are willing to take the time to do it, tuning is really the only thing I see you not being able to DIY. Assuming you the 4 bangers use the same JTEC ecu, you could probably find someone to do that for you.

If it were me and I was planning to turbo my '98 4 banger, I'd start off asking around about tuning specifically your rig. Then determine what injector upgrades are available (do they just use the same as 4.0s?--if so, that's easy). I would assume the fuel pump is the same which should be plenty for a small turbo. Then you need to figure out how to mount a turbo and route all the intake/exhaust piping. You'd have to spend some time looking up his other people have done custom turbo installs, but it's all basically the same while all being custom fit. A water/air intercooler setup would probably be easiest to package but there's more plumbing involved. Turbo selection is the easiest part of it all.

How is your welding?

I have read threads where Ryan indicates he has tuned several 2.5 turbos and strokers. Step one will be an AX15 trans. With that comes a need to move the engine forward. Due to my double I cannot accommodate longer drivetrain. Seems to be an endless circle. Lol
 
I have read threads where Ryan indicates he has tuned several 2.5 turbos and strokers. Step one will be an AX15 trans. With that comes a need to move the engine forward. Due to my double I cannot accommodate longer drivetrain. Seems to be an endless circle. Lol

Do it Golly! We will support you!








(Edit: Ahh, but by supporting you I may mean that we will sit back, point, and laugh 😉)
 
Just kinda guessing by your goals and requirements here, but doing your own budget turbo kit might well be the way you should go. You can do it on the cheap with research and some elbow grease. If you are willing to take the time to do it, tuning is really the only thing I see you not being able to DIY. Assuming you the 4 bangers use the same JTEC ecu, you could probably find someone to do that for you.

If it were me and I was planning to turbo my '98 4 banger, I'd start off asking around about tuning specifically your rig. Then determine what injector upgrades are available (do they just use the same as 4.0s?--if so, that's easy). I would assume the fuel pump is the same which should be plenty for a small turbo. Then you need to figure out how to mount a turbo and route all the intake/exhaust piping. You'd have to spend some time looking up his other people have done custom turbo installs, but it's all basically the same while all being custom fit. A water/air intercooler setup would probably be easiest to package but there's more plumbing involved. Turbo selection is the easiest part of it all.

How is your welding?

This is spot on. Though I'd probably just put an air/air intercooler in front of the radiator. Make some brackets to space the rad back. The 2.5 has a ton of room between the fan and radiator
 
I am really just brainstorming still at this point. Once I hit the dirt I can go as fast as my tolerance for my suspension allows. It is not like I am blowing through AX5s at this point anyway.
 
Aren't most v8 swaps moved forward anyway for firewall reasons? If going magnum the gc or durango front dress would be my choice for clearance

No actually a few guys who didn't want to have to buy new driveshafts beat up the firewall and shoved the magnum engine back so it would bolt up to the stock AX15 in it's stock location.

The kit that AA sells is for use with the 46RE transmission but I can't tell you where it places the engine. Some people either move it backwards some or like on mine Evan moved it forward.
 
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Yes but there is something about no boost, no bottle just throttle.

Very true.... And this coming from the guy who has almost 3X the displacement that my TJ came with stock...... 2.5 vs 6.7? Which has more throttle response do ya think? But I do miss my little squirrel that could sometimes too.
 
Did you read the DIY thread on doing a turbo?

yeah, a couple of times… I just saw that kit and thought one stop shop for all the parts… I have an LS, and a 4L60 and I have access to a 5.3 magnum and transmission… I’m just on the fence about it might be overkill for what I need… The little 4 banger gets the job done, it will run 65 all day long and that’s fast enough for me for the most part…I just would like to have the ability to have a little extra umph if I needed it!
 
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Guess it has done its job on my 98’. Looks to be original trans. Still running. It is no heavy duty trans be any means, however I think part of the bad wrap is due to being beat on with bigger tires and no gear changes.