What are good and cheap engine swaps for a Jeep Wrangler TJ?

[Kaptainkid1]

Even though I'm not doing a engine swap. I've been reading alot of cool engine swaps for the Jeep TJ. I go to the Junk yard and I see so many good parts and possible great swaps.
Here are the popular ones stock but I know these can be tuned with a turbo and get major power:
1. LS 325whp stock
2. Cummins 2.8 diesel 275whp
3. Grand Cherokee V8 325whp
4. VW 1.9 TDI coty built 160whp+
5. 2JZ Toyota turbo 300whp+
6. Honda K20/K24 250whp+.
7.
8.
9.
What other options out there?
Which one would you do?
Why?
*My choice VW 1.9 TDI diesel great cheap option with tons of aftermarket parts /junkyard parts cheap. Coty also has a swap kit on the market for this tdi swaps. 30mpg for great range good reason not to carry extra gas needed for long off road trails.
https://www.cotybuilt.com/

 

[Ruby Rubicon]

Im trying really hard to be nice right now PLEASE, change "cummings" to "cummins" it is a major pet peeve of mine!

All of those are definitely not "cheap" especially a "1000hp 2jz" a 600hp ls would destroy every other part in your jeep.

 

[89grand]

There is no such thing as a cheap engine swap. Just regear the thing and be done with it. Way cheaper and easier than any engine swap.

 

[2006TJ1]

Unless you are going to fab everything yourself, there's no cheap swap. If we're looking completely at money, the best bet is a reman. 4.0, but I have a feeling this answer doesn't belong in the conversation this post was looking to start.

 

[Midwest]

My buddy has a Ford 5.0 HO in his CJ7...

 

[billiebob]

PLEASE, change "cummings" to "cummins"

I think that is spell check pissing us all off.

The Ford 5.0L is a great choice cuz it is the most compact V8 out there.
But I'd say the SBC is the best buy. The after market support is incredible.
Someone must build a kit to put it in a TJ.

 

[reddvltj]

Unfortunately unless aftermarket steps up their game with regards to electronics there may come a day when we have no choice but to "engine swap" because of how finicky our ECMs are with sensors

 

[mots]

Define "cheap". This could mean something different to us than it means for you. As the guys have said, typically "engine swap" and "cheap" are not in the same sentence unless the word "not" comes before "cheap", LOL. That said, my guess is that we are focusing too much on this aspect since you aren't actually planning on doing a swap right now.

I would add the HEMI as well. I would love to do a VW TDI swap for fuel economy, but the LS is what I would probably do after doing my homework. Either that or the HEMI since resale would be better IMO.

Strokers, superchargers and turbos are also an option. They can be more cost effective than swapping a completely different motor and all the costs and extra challenges it brings.

 

[mots]

Unfortunately unless aftermarket steps up their game with regards to electronics there may come a day when we have no choice but to "engine swap" because of how finicky our ECMs are with sensors

Sadly, if this day comes and I need a swap, my wife will be looking for the cheapest option, LOL.

 

[L J]

What are good and cheap engine swaps for Jeep TJ?

What are good and cheap engine swaps for Jeep TJ?

choose one

 

[Airjunky]

No such thing. I rebuilt my 4.0 liter on a budget and still came in around $1800.

 

[2006TJ1]

No such thing. I rebuilt my 4.0 liter on a budget and still came in around $1800.

Nobody has defined cheap yet- considering most swaps that aren't completely custom fabbed in house don't come in under $5k, $1800 is pretty cheap.

And even if you are custom-making everything yourself, time/commitment may become a bigger issue than money.

 

[Kaptainkid1]

No such thing. I rebuilt my 4.0 liter on a budget and still came in around $1800.

Did you do a stroker motor or just a refresh with new bearing, rings, cams, and seals?
I like the 4.0l but I feel we have many junk yard options that can improve or customize the TJ the way you like it. I wanted to see what other options owners would choose for a swap. Or have actually swapped. Rebuild the 4.0l is always a sound choice.

 

[Kaptainkid1]

Ok people want a budget as cheap. I would start off with $5000. This thread wasn't a budget or just cheap but cool junk yard swaps people would do or has done.

 

[reddvltj]

Ok people want a budget as cheap. I would start off with $5000. This thread wasn't a budget or just cheap but cool junk yard swaps people would do or has done.

Aside from all the V-8 and diesel swaps that everyone has talked about, another viable option that could be done (I have personally seen it done in a 97 TJ) is a Vortec 4.3 V-6 or a Magnum V-6. Considerably lower priced than most V-8s due to less demand.

 

[mots]

There is a guy on here doing a Kubota diesel swap. Search and you will find his build thread. Quite an interesting swap.

 

[Flivver250]

To my way of thinking, cheap = inexpensive. An engine swap discussion without a defined goal is like having a condom machine in a convent. What do you wish to achieve? Slap a Kohler 16 HP single lung in there and mow your lawn? 850 hp SBC for Saudi sand dune hill climbs? An inline six can be modified to achieve almost any objective you could have for the Jeep. If you just want V-8 power, a used Grand Cherokee used can be had for less than an engine swap adventure. Heck, a JK has 65 more horsepower, but off road my venerable tractor engine clad TJ seems to out perform the JK guys I run with. A supercharger would be a cheap bolt on upgrade. Cheap is of course relative.

 

[DrDmoney]

The 2.8 would be my choice but not allowed on a 2000 and newer.

 

[oldb]

I have swapped a few engines. But all mechanical analog stuff, nothing with an ecm that needs to communicate with the body module, and transmission, at my age I am not sure I want to venture there. The devil as they say is in the details. Novak has quite a bit of information on various engines, transmissions, and transfer cases, pros and cons of each, and of course lots of adapters, mounts and other things you would need.
Rule of thumb on a engine swap is similar to a house remodel. Double your cost estimate and you may be close to what it will actually cost.

B

 

[Big Green]

Curious question. Why do a “swap”?

I’ve had a ton of different vehicles. Several Jeeps while also having other daily drivers. The 4.0 is still my favorite engine. Actually most of my engines have been inline 6s. Four 4.0s, one Ford 4.9 and one 6.7 Cummins. The list goes on for engines but those were the great ones. My LJ will always sport an in-line 6, stroked would be nice one day though. The only swap I would ever consider is for my 95 YJ. Original engine has 88k. If I won the lottery I’d love to have a 4bt. Aside from that kind of influx of money, 4.0 all day, everyday. Jeeps aren’t designed to be hot rods. Low end torque is the fun part. Having said that, I’m sure a high HP V8 would be fun but I’m kinda a purest. No disrespect to those that do it, just not my style.