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New to CJ-8 World - Looking for Engine Replacement Recomendations

W

wnschoen

New member
City
Saint Helena Island
State
SC
New owner of a 1983. Has a cherokee engine that is OK, but sludge definitely built up.

I want to replace and do it right. Looking for engine recommendations to (a) keep this as a great run around town vehicle (b) hold/increase value.

Thanks!
 

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What is your expected budget? What transmission do you have now? Auto or manual after the swap?
 
Thank you for the quick response.

Manual Transmission. Transmission will remain manual.

If it makes sense and adds value, and makes my life better, the cost does not really matter... I kind of figured if I'm not spending $5-6k or more I'm wasting my time and might as well love with what I have.

I will not be going off-roading any more than down a dirt driveway to a deer stand or across a farm field to a dove shoot. We are flat here, no hills.

I feel the vehicle is underpowered right now, but I think that is due to the age/poor maintenance on the current engine more than anything else.
 

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I would recommend researching Novak Adapters, Mountain Off Road, and Advance Adapter sites. I originally had a t176 trans that has a Ford bolt pattern. So I started down the rabbit hole of going with a 302. You will easily double your HP with a V8 swap but you also can easily go overboard on cost. Dropping a Ford 302 or Chevy 350 with a carb is a fairly easy swap with the before mentioned sites. If you want to go with fuel injection, 5 speed for highway driving, or have emission regulations then life gets more complicated.
 
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With the 4.0 from a cherokee and a manual, if 5 speed, I would guess ax-15. I have a 4.0 in mine that I swapped in a couple of years ago. It has adequate power, but is no V8 for sure. But it does what I need it to do. Much better than the 4.2 that was in it.
 
Thanks for all. This is the second specific mention of a Chevy 350, so I think I will start my research with that. I appreciate it all.
 
I have a 4.0 out of a cherokee in mine with the original T5. I'll be swapping that out this winter for an AX15
 
If you are looking towards a swap, I really don't think there is a better option than an LS family chevy. 4.8, 5.3 or 6.0 are all excellent choices. I feel you need EFI if you care about holding value.

Before going down this road make sure you have an AX-15 if you want to keep the trans. A t4, T5 will not live behind a V8. I would prefer to keep the native GM auto trans with the conversion.

For context I have an 89 TBI 4.3/700r4 in my 8. It does really well but could use a little more power on the highway. GM TBI stuff is really easy to work with. It will also be happy without a custom tune in a swap. I still think an LS is a better choice if starting from scratch.
 
Have had a 95 4.0 from a Cherokee in mine since 2000. T-5 5sp. Wouldn’t trade as it is my daily driver .
 
If you are looking for resale value, bone stock is the best value. Any engine swap will cost more than the value it adds to the vehicle (resell value, not enjoyment value).

For those that do engine swaps, it is done to make the vehicle better for the owner’s enjoyment.

So, the first decision is whether this is for vehicle value or vehicle enjoyment.
 
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