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

[Ruby Rubicon]

A 2JZ in a Jeep would be a waste of a Jeep and a waste of a 2JZ.

100% fact.... Which is why I commented on this saying "im trying really hard to be nice" these kinds of threads are just asking for it anybody who has to ask about swaps like this most likely lacks ability to swap, and needs to do more homework.

https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/10-jeep-hardcore-tech/
There is the link to just about every engine swap done on a jeep, in great detail.

Please do not join that forum and ask questions like this, just browse it, gets lost in builds... "it says newbies beware" on the main forum links...

 

[Kaptainkid1]

2jz Jeep Wrangler

 

[reddvltj]

Unsure why a GM V6 would be considered. All that time and money to get the same power as a 4.0. While costing (again time and money) what a GM V8 would.

There are actually a few reasons a person might want to go this route,
Yes I agree the 4.0 is a strong and reliable engine, there is no doubt about that, but as I said in a previous post, how long are we going to be able to keep them running as quality sensors disappear?

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

While the cost for adapters for a GM V-6 or V-8 is similar, the V-6 can be had a little cheaper than a V-8 with all the electronics. The 4.3 is about 95 lbs lighter than the 4.0 where the V-8 is heavier. GM engines and electronic systems have considerably larger aftermarket support. Not everyone doing a swap wants the added cost to upgrade drive-train that goes along with added hp the V-8s have.

I have personally seen how a Vortec 4.3 works in a TJ with 38's on it compared to a similar set up 4.0l and there isn't a huge advantage in either direction. The 4.3 had better throttle response, slightly better high rpm power and revved quicker and the 4.0 handled low rpm little better without stalling.

 

[Kaptainkid1]

100% fact.... Which is why I commented on this saying "im trying really hard to be nice" these kinds of threads are just asking for it anybody who has to ask about swaps like this most likely lacks ability to swap, and needs to do more homework.

https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/10-jeep-hardcore-tech/
There is the link to just about every engine swap done on a jeep, in great detail.

Please do not join that forum and ask questions like this, just browse it, gets lost in builds... "it says newbies beware" on the main forum links...

Let me start off by saying engine swap are not for the typical Jeep or car owner. On the other hand going to car shows and Jeep meet up that is the case. I see people who have the skills and knowledge to go the extra mile to make their Jeeps speicial. Regardless the point of thread was to see what other engine swaps people would choose or are popular that I did not know about. I recently learn some people are swapping cheap junkyard engines in many cars. The two that stick out to mind are used $400 k24 honda 2.4 motors and trans from pick-a-part or any junkyard.
1. Honda 2.4 i-Vtec base 190hp. Modded with just a ebay turbo 500hp+ bolt on no engine enternal mods needed. They are extremely strong blocks with massive aftermarket support. They are swapped in many cars : Kmiata, 240sx, FRZ/BRZ, Porsche, MR2, other hondas and why not a jeep?
Millions of K24 were in Honda line ups. Accords, TSX, CRV, Element.
2. Of Course LS line up. But this isnt as cheap but very popular. I do see about 10 LS motors in the junkyard every time I go. So they are common block too.

What I learned from this thread people like 4bt diesel which I didn't know about. Interesting and some thing else to learn and consider. That's my point of view and 2 cents.

 

[mots]

Obviously a longer wheelbase is a more stable platform for big power that just physics, look at funny cars and salt drag machines full built crawlers etc... This is an old argument that has been discussed thousands of times for decades, go on pirate 4x4 and check out hundreds of thousands of jeep swaps done, you notice the more power and large tires the longer and lower center of gravity they ended up because they usually have stretched wheelbase etc.... Jeeps are not designed to be super fast cornering champions... Why are we even mentioning this right now?

OP was talking about 1000hp 2jz swaps not how to build a perfect 50/50 balanced jeep that can go on a race track and handle safe on concrete

I think you are missing my point. The original OP was about "good and cheap" readily available swaps. When I replied, I was not discussing 1000 HP Pirate 4x4 beasts with stretched wheelbases. There are some potentially powerful engines we are discussing that can be swapped for ~10-15k and most of us have the shorter wheel base. Nowhere did I mention trying to make a TJ a racing or cornering champion. Forget about that for a second and answer these:

• How do most get to Moab, or their favorite off-road park, if they don't tow their TJ?
• Have you ever gotten into a tight situation on the highway before? How does a short wheelbase TJ handle in these situations?

I am simply pointing out, that for some us, adding 300 HP and pushing the weight distribution closer 60/40 may not be a great idea for a regularly driven RWD vehicle, unless it is properly compensated for. Some may consider this in their thought process, but others like yourself may just want to build a beast, have fun, and not care about it. The answer doesn't have to be the same for everyone.

Others may have their wives, son's or daughters drive their Jeeps once in a while and they don't want something that too much of a handful. At the end of the day, you have to agree you are effectively changing the balance of the vehicle you started with. If it didn't matter, vehicle manufacturers and engineers would never plan for or worry about it. IMO, the HEMI (and others) is a better choice than the 4BT for a TJ swap since it weighs much closer to the 4.0L AMC engine. And yes, I realize there is more than just weight distribution, but what if you don't have to change the balance and COG nearly as much during the swap? What if your brakes (most cheap swaps wont upgrade), doesn't have to stop all that extra weight? I know folks that have lifted their Jeeps (often improperly) too high for their liking and now are trying to come back down to something more practical to improve road manners. Again, some may care about these things in our discussion, and others may not.

 

[Brianj5600]

Nate's 1.9L TDI in 5 way drag race in Johnson Valley.

 

[2006TJ1]

Nate's 1.9L TDI in 5 way drag race in Johnson Valley.

I love Nate's channel. He makes great content and actually knows what he's talking about very very well.

 

[billiebob]

Altho I hate the idea, good & cheap define the small block chevy swap into anything.

 

[Ruby Rubicon]

Let me start off by saying

I think you are missing my point.

ITS NOT CHEAP, leave your engines alone guys unless you plan on really wheeling it, otherwise looking cool at a carshow or meet or whatever you said is just pissing money away dont be a mallcrawler, leave your jeeps stock and invest that cash elsewhere, as said earlier, if you have the mod bug and feeling down on power, its not power you are lacking its your gearing... this goes for 4 and 6 cylinder, figure out what works...

The only reason to swap out a factory oem jeep engine is if you are going all out offroad and with big engine comes big trans big axles big transfer case big everything.... There is no such thing as a damn cheap engine swap.

You wanna go try swapping engines, then try it! Let me know how it goes...I don't know what I am talking about so I will stay off threads like this from here on out... Youre welcome for that pirate link, now go do tons of research, save up a ton of cash, and then when you are staring at that cash decide if you wanna get into building one off vehicles.

 

[mots]

ITS NOT CHEAP, leave your engines alone guys unless you plan on really wheeling it, otherwise looking cool at a carshow or meet or whatever you said is just pissing money away dont be a mallcrawler, leave your jeeps stock and invest that cash elsewhere, as said earlier, if you have the mod bug and feeling down on power, its not power you are lacking its your gearing... this goes for 4 and 6 cylinder, figure out what works...

The only reason to swap out a factory oem jeep engine is if you are going all out offroad and with big engine comes big trans big axles big transfer case big everything.... There is no such thing as a damn cheap engine swap.

You wanna go try swapping engines, then try it! Let me know how it goes...I don't know what I am talking about so I will stay off threads like this from here on out... Youre welcome for that pirate link, now go do tons of research, save up a ton of cash, and then when you are staring at that cash decide if you wanna get into building one off vehicles.

Not sure why you are replying to me with this douche bag response (or even the OP with this response for that matter). Again, you failed to read and comprehend my last post addressed to you, and instead chose to instead rant as the expert and talk down to folks. I see you are new here, I suggest you read the threads closer and think a little more before responding. The average poster here is more intelligent and/or more civil than on Pirate 4x4, that is why we are here. If you would have taken the time to read through and properly follow along with this thread, we are just having a hypothetical discussion. Nobody here said they are swapping motors any time soon. Most of us already replied, said it isn't cheap, don't rush in, plan to double your costs etc.

That said, I do agree with your tale of caution, we all do. Just keep it cool.

 

[Ruby Rubicon]

Not sure why you are replying to me with this douche bag response (or even the OP with this response for that matter). Again, you failed to read and comprehend my last post addressed to you, and instead chose to instead rant as the expert and talk down to folks. I see you are new here, I suggest you read the threads closer and think a little more before responding. The average poster here is more intelligent and/or more civil than on Pirate 4x4, that is why we are here. If you would have taken the time to read through and properly follow along with this thread, we are just having a hypothetical discussion. Nobody here said they are swapping motors any time soon. Most of us already replied, said it isn't cheap, don't rush in, plan to double your costs etc.

That said, I do agree with your tale of caution, we all do. Just keep it cool.

I replied because I couldn't while at work and had a bunch of emails sending me back here. Ive done swaps, i have a tj with a chevy v8 swap, its about to get one tons. And I highly doubt the average poster on here is more intelligent than pirate4x4 members just stop now...

• How do most get to Moab, or their favorite off-road park, if they don't tow their TJ?

They drive

• Have you ever gotten into a tight situation on the highway before? How does a short wheelbase TJ handle in these situations?

you betcha bud

 

[Goatman]

I think the issue is often confused by all the "chrome boys" out there. Any power upgrade to a Jeep should be about USEABLE TORQUE. Unless you are running ultra4 races there is no need not should there be a desire for 1,000 hp.
That is why I feel the TDI (and also the Cummins 2.8) is a perfect fit. It keeps the Jeep light, in fact lighter. Allows the rest of the drivetrain to be stock (if a Rubicon) or just slightly upgraded and will provide all the useable torque a TJ could need. It allows off the shelf parts for maintenance and improves what the TJ really lacks. RANGE. Whether you are a rock crawler or an overlander, the TJ is moving slow and controlled
If you want 1,000 hp put it in a full size PU where it can be used. The TJ isn't heavy or long enough to make use of that power.

 

[q8ieng]

I would re-work the 4.0, or replace it with another 4.0 from the junkyard.

 

[mots]

I replied because I couldn't while at work and had a bunch of emails sending me back here. Ive done swaps, i have a tj with a chevy v8 swap, its about to get one tons. And I highly doubt the average poster on here is more intelligent than pirate4x4 members just stop now...

• How do most get to Moab, or their favorite off-road park, if they don't tow their TJ?

They drive

• Have you ever gotten into a tight situation on the highway before? How does a short wheelbase TJ handle in these situations?

you betcha bud

K. While there are intelligent and savvy folks on that site, members here are typically more tactful with their replies and have better manners than on that site. There are also some very smart folks here. You will find out soon enough. It's not the same kind of place...trust me.

 

[Goatman]

To be clear (and polite) I think (believe) that ever since the birth of the Jeep, but definitely since the birth of the CJ-7 that a 6 cyl is what God intended for the engine bay. As we all know a 4 cyl is just lacking in the torque department, and a V8 is really overkill for all but the most advanced of wheelers. Any (possible) lack of power in a 6 cyl can be cured by appropriate gearing.
TJs were not meant for high speed oval track (or any) racing. They are designed primarily for slower and more technical use off road in conditions that no other vehicle then or now is capable of doing. From pulling a plow after the War to getting to hunting camp, this is what a Jeep is designed to excel at.
Can it be made to do more? Certainly. Probably no other platform is so versatile. But in the end a great engine is the straight 6. Great durability, good low rpm torque. Just exactly what the little 1/4 ton machine needs. With the exception of a small diesel engine, nothing else delivers like a straight 6.
Sand rails and Nascar need something different (although Nascar uses a 6 cyl at certain tracks) but to outshine the 4.0L in all aspects of "Jeeping" is a very tall order.

The sermon is now over.

 

[Brianj5600]

If I never went over 60 miles per hour I would not feel like I needed more power. I also plan a trip out west which will likely be more fun with a little more power. I'm going to build a stroker over the winter to take care of it.

 

[89grand]

I don't know, the other day I got up to 80mph without even trying hard, when I went to pass someone. That was with 4.10's. I couldn't do that with 3.07's though.

 

[hardtopper]

I don't get the Honda K20/K24 suggestion...at all. That's a high-revving, low-torque engine. Even the KMiata swap crowd's #1 concern is whether the HP gains warrant having to rev that high to attain them, and that's in one of the lightest cars on the road, where you don't need much torque to get moving.

To throw a monkey wrench into the conversation, reading through the first page got me to thinking, someone must have made a good aluminum cylinder head. A quick search revealed this:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/4-0-edelbrock-performance-cylinder-head.7806/https://www.jegs.com/p/Edelbrock/Ed...ormer-Aluminum-Cylinder-Head/3170486/10002/-1
$1866 complete is rather steep, as that'll get you a pair of good heads in the V8 world, but compare it to an engine swap and it doesn't sound so bad. I'm not sure how much power it's good for on its own and/or with a custom grind cam, but weight reduction should be significant. I haven't seen numbers, but I would guess 30-35 lbs lighter than the factory cast iron head. That closes most of the gap on the weight advantage of LS swaps (and probably comes out ahead, as no one factors in the extra bank of exhaust piping) and adds in some unknown amount of power to partially catch the 4.0L up.

 

[Whitetrash]

You can do a 5.2/5.9 Magnum swap for pretty cheap, especially if you already have a 4.0/ax-15 combo, since you can easily use the ax15 trans. tons of info on this, the wiring is extremely easy, plus you can always view my build thread and ask questions on there if you had any. Good luck with your decision!

I may add though, I know quite a bit about the various TDI engines as well, and if i had a much larger budget, that wouldve been my go to swap.

 

[InOmaha]

I watch those car shows on the velocity channel and they seem to be able to fix, modify, or swap any engine in any car. Body work usually only takes half the show. So the whole thing doesn't look hard at all. The good ones do it all start to finish in under a week.

Most of them no more than an hour.