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

[ShawnMarine]

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

Brian, did you do the engine swap with the 1.9? I'm changing out my 97 TJ with new engine trany and want to get more info?

Thanks,
Shawn

 

[ShawnMarine]

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.

Hey Goatman,
Have you did an engine trany swap on TJ? I'm changing out my 2.5 in my 97. Looking for what combination of 6 cyl works with what trany and will fit in my TJ

Thanks,
Shawn

 

[ShawnMarine]

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.

Hey Whitetrash,

Can you point me in the right direction for TDI swap? I'm new to this posting and looking at threads. Changing out TJ 2.5 and trany

 

[Brianj5600]

Brian, did you do the engine swap with the 1.9? I'm changing out my 97 TJ with new engine trany and want to get more info?

Thanks,
Shawn

Emission testing makes it a pain where I live. Look here for swap kits.

https://www.cotybuilt.com/

 

[Goatman]

Any tranny swap (in my view) should be the AX-15. Period. I have seen a few adds in the JP mag for a new tremeck (sp?) 5 or 6 speed, and some like the old sm465 out of a Ford for the granny 1st.
The AX-15 is the right size, shape, weight, and strength for a Wrangler. I would recommend against the latter 6 speed (which I have) due to noise and lifespan. I think the OD is a bit too high too. Something like .64 i believe without checking.
Full disclosure: This is my first TJ and it is currently in good running condition.
I have had over a dozen various CJ, YJ and have tried almost every tranny that has come in them (stick. No auto.) And the best, by far, in terms of gearing, parts, and ease of repair is the AX-15. Oddly my #2 would be the T150 3speed. With R in 1st position and 1 in 2nd position I loved being able to be able to rock the vehicle back and forth with ease getting unstuck effortlessly. Plus it was easy. 1st to start off. 2nd for any town/city driving. 3rd for open road. Never in the wrong gear.
Stick with the AX-15 for even a mild V8 and you'll never go wrong.

 

[Whitetrash]

Hey Whitetrash,

Can you point me in the right direction for TDI swap? I'm new to this posting and looking at threads. Changing out TJ 2.5 and trany

Check out the CotyBuilt webpage, it will have most of the information you need to get an idea of what you will be doing.