4.6 stroker motor questions

[DaEbLe]

Hey everyone,

I found a line a very fresh i6 4.6 stroker motor. I have a stock i6 at the machine shop now being hot tanked, maged, decked, and honed. That will run me about $500. The stroker motor I found is $275 complete. This Jeep is being built with a rock crawler mentality.

I am curious if I take this motor if I need the ecm also? Is there a better way to get a tune so the ecm can fully utilize the stroker motor? Or is there anything you think I should consider that I may have overlooked?

Edit: forgot to mention my Jeep is a '98 this motor is out of a '94

 

[Goatman]

I would go to Jeepstrokers.com there is a whole forum just on stroking the 4.0 engine, well there are a few other topics, but you should be able to find anything you want to know there.

 

[Chris]

You won't need the PCM, but you can get more power out of the engine by having your existing ECM tuned once you put the new stroker engine in.

For more info on PCM tuning, see this thread: 97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ ECU / PCM Tuning Options

Tuning alone will probably net you a significant horsepower increase, particularly with a built stroker engine.

 

[DaEbLe]

I would go to Jeepstrokers.com there is a whole forum just on stroking the 4.0 engine, well there are a few other topics, but you should be able to find anything you want to know there.

Thanks, I didn't know that site existed.

Also thank you Chris. That is pretty much a solid start to what I am looking for.

 

[Chris]

No problem, happy to help!

For what it's worth, Golan seems to be the king (and go to resource) of Jeep stroker motors. They've got a number of them making 500hp with stroker builds and superchargers.

 

[DaEbLe]

No problem, happy to help!

For what it's worth, Golan seems to be the king (and go to resource) of Jeep stroker motors. They've got a number of them making 500hp with stroker builds and superchargers.

So taboo warning
The reason I'm asking is I found a u-pull scrap yard that has a totalled 94 with a stroker in it asking $275. They don't know it is a stroker. I do bc the motor belonged to a best friend of a friend that died rolling the jeep. Alcohol, no seat belt, and Jeep's are a bad combination for roll cages.
So I know this motor is sitting there with a month of driving on it. It has headers, cam, 4.2 forged crank and pistons. All being said I know nothing else yet. Just wanted to cover my bases before going to the yard to pull it.

 

[Chris]

So taboo warning
The reason I'm asking is I found a u-pull scrap yard that has a totalled 94 with a stroker in it asking $275. They don't know it is a stroker. I do bc the motor belonged to a best friend of a friend that died rolling the jeep. Alcohol, no seat belt, and Jeep's are a bad combination for roll cages.
So I know this motor is sitting there with a month of driving on it. It has headers, cam, 4.2 forged crank and pistons. All being said I know nothing else yet. Just wanted to cover my bases before going to the yard to pull it.

I'm not sure if the engine from that 94 will fit. The crank and pistons will (which is how guys are building strokers), but the block itself as well as the head won't just bolt-in, nor will the wiring plug right in. You'll be opening up a huge can of worms by trying to put a YJ engine in a TJ, this much I can tell you.

If you want a stroker, you need the 4.2 crank (and pistons I believe), but not the engine itself.

 

[DaEbLe]

Wow,
I was specifically told that from the 94 to 98 they we're both multiport engines pre powertec. So they said the block casting never changed. I assumed same block meant same engine mounts.
I absolutely don't want to open up a huge can of worms but was led to believe it was basically going to be bolt up, or at worst a head swap. Do you have any place to point me to confirm this?

 

[Willys LJ]

Even if the complete engine won't bolt up (not sure on that myself), $275 for the engine would work for me. I'd use the crank (and hopefully the pistons) in my block. A stroker is on my long term to do list for my LJ.

 

[Mike_H]

For 275 dollars...Buy it and figure it out. That is a HELL of a deal. I'm putting together my budget list for a stroker build myself. I think its engine sensors and stuff that is different between the years...as long as they are both coil pack or distributor engines, they should mix and match...I think.

 

[DaEbLe]

Both motors are distro, so I might get lucky. Are motor mounts going to match up? My only other thought is I think the stroker wire harness is for obd1 and mine would be obd2. I plan to grab the motor. I figure if nothing else I can turn it for my money if it looks to be a big problem.

 

[Goatman]

I think what they are saying is to buy the striker motor. You can, worst case, use the internals in your current block. That way you have all the wire harness to match (your block and head to go with your wiring and sensors.)

 

[Goatman]

Trying to say use the internals from the striker motor and use all the external pieces that are currently on your stock motor. Move all the accessories and sensors so they all go back in whith the new engine. That should eliminate any wiring or computer issues.

 

[DaEbLe]

I think I am going to pick the motor up Friday. I will keep you updated as to it fitting. I think you are on to something. I may be able to do an intake swap even and keep most of my wiring if the motor mounts match up.
I prefer to keep the block as it was been bored out too.