98 TJ v8 conversion

[grant_throck]

Hi there, looking for some advice/knowledge from people who have done this before, I'm looking to put a 400sbc in my 98 TJ with also shortening and installing Dana 60 underneath, going to try and keep it road legal also if possible being in WV, but just looking for the do's and don't s of a build like this.
Thanks in advanced

 

[Chris]

Hopefully the resident expert on V8 swaps (@Stinger) will chime in. He has a V8 in his LJ so he knows the ins and outs.

 

[Chris]

BTW, in the meantime, check this out:
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/engines/swap-guides/chevy-buick-gm/tj-swap

 

[Stinger]

Hopefully the resident expert on V8 swaps (@Stinger) will chime in. He has a V8 in his LJ so he knows the ins and outs.

Not sure about "expert" but if there is a way to get it wrong I found it!

After you have read everything that Novak has on line about the swap, check out build threads on sites such as Pirate. However, the last time I looked the one thread was over 4,000 posts long and you really need to read them all for continuity of thought. It took me several days. North Carolina Jeep club and the Reno club also have threads.

So do your home work before you start planning on the specifics of your build. There are many good arguments for keeping the 4.0 and adding a booster or turbo. Check the pros and cons of each.

Because of Utah's road salt-rust damage, my engine swap turned into a frame off restoration in a 2 car garage with a 6 foot ceiling-——--it can be done.

One piece of advise that I picked up from Blaine is to do at least a 1 inch body lift. That way you can move the power plant farther back in the frame. Why? To allow the possiblity of using the mechanical water pump and factory radiator for what ever engine you pick.

Good luck

 

[Bigbill]

I been thinking about this engine swap too. A SBC v8 and a th400 would be nice in my 99 tj. Bolt it up to the 231 tc adapter. A big capacity cooling system and a tranny cooler is very important.

Example, my last engine swap was from a sbc 350 to a 396 BBC. I went from a two row tube radiator to a three row tube radiator. One third larger coolant wise. But that's not the complete answer. Then you need to change out thermostats to see where she runs the coolest. Mine ran the best at 180degrees. Each cooling system will vary.

There's no replacement for displacement. I had a built sbc 350 but the BBC stock torque wise ran all over the sbc. Going from the 4.0L to a sbc is the way to go.

 

[StG58]

Not sure about "expert" but if there is a way to get it wrong I found it! <snip>

A person often times learns nothing from doing something correctly the first time. A smart person learns from other's mistakes so thay can invent new mistakes.

 

[Stinger]

A person often times learns nothing from doing something correctly the first time. A smart person learns from other's mistakes so thay can invent new mistakes.

Well hell! Got that down pat!

 

[StG58]

Well hell! Got that down pat!

That's why I love you, Frank, and I don't even know you that well...

I can't even catalog all my f-ups, mistakes, faux pas and just plain id10t moves.

 

[sgtjdgelinas]

I feel like engine swaps were a lot less expensive before every car had a computer in it. I remember my uncle telling me he would bolt the engine mount to the block, lower the whole thing in, and wherever the mounts hit the frame he'd weld them on.
One of those old timers told me he stuffed a doge engine in a ford truck, cut both driveshafts in half and welded them together eyeball straight.
I know this doesn't contribute to your post, but this is what I think of when someone talks about paying 10k for a V8 swap.

 

[Stinger]

I feel like engine swaps were a lot less expensive before every car had a computer in it. I remember my uncle telling me he would bolt the engine mount to the block, lower the whole thing in, and wherever the mounts hit the frame he'd weld them on.
One of those old timers told me he stuffed a doge engine in a ford truck, cut both driveshafts in half and welded them together eyeball straight.
I know this doesn't contribute to your post, but this is what I think of when someone talks about paying 10k for a V8 swap.

That would/did/does work for that farm truck that never hits the road. It took a LOT of dialing in for mine to hit 100 vibration free. At a legal 55 it is a cat purring, but it took a lot of dialing in to get stuff like pinion angles, driveshaft balance, camber, caster, toe in/out just where I want them. I can't just imagine what it would feel like if I had hacked welded my driveshafts-—-just like grandpa did.

 

[sgtjdgelinas]

That would/did/does work for that farm truck that never hits the road. It took a LOT of dialing in for mine to hit 100 vibration free. At a legal 55 it is a cat purring, but it took a lot of dialing in to get stuff like pinion angles, driveshaft balance, camber, caster, toe in/out just where I want them. I can't just imagine what it would feel like if I had hacked welded my driveshafts-—-just like grandpa did.

And most of the machines my uncle built were for work on our family's cranberry bogs. So yeah.
And that guy with the driveshaft said it worked great until it didn't, left a huge hole in the bed of his truck when it flew apart.

 

[Stinger]

Okay I take part of that back. Stinger never purrs!

 

[Stinger]

Absolutely understand that. I have a farm/ ranch back ground!