I have an 87 xj that i having some engine problems started with oil spewing up through the breather on the top of the valve cover after acceleration. Then it turned into a large backfire and I'm sure it wasnt running on all cylinders. Now I can't get it to run. So I have decided I want to replace the motor. I found a great running 96 xj with 174,000. For $200

I plan on swaping everything into it. The dashboard all the wiring and the motor. Maybe the thansmition and transfer case too not sure if I have to.

So my question to the site is will the engines swap, what should I look out for, and any other help would be greatly appreciated. also what parts should I keep before I scrap the 96

Thanks for the help

You'll have to swap every bit of wiring harness and computer stuff with it unless you just want to use the engine only with the old set up but you risk frying that slightly weaker tranny set up for those weak a$$ Renix motors

Swap it as a short block using your dizzy, flexplate, manifolds etc and you'll be fine. I've done this 3 times. Easy.

As far as your trans, don't worry about the 8 whole more horsepower, and not any more torque, of an HO.

Well..... my 97 runs off and leaves Renix Jeeps like nothing but of course I have 5 more ft/lbs of torque... and also running a short block HO in a Renix seems to generate a great deal more than than 8hp. Just saying

Well, I've done it. 8 HP isn't gonna hurt an AW4. I don't see how an HO ina Renix is gonna make more HP than an HO anyway. Renix has a crappier exhaust manifold and a smaller throttle body. That's where the HO got it's little bit of extra power anyway, the bigger tB and better flowing header. Whaddya think strokers do to an AW4? Nothing.

I've done it too and made a 89 MJ smoke a few v6 Camaros and stangs. My deal was that I used the HO intake and exhaust. It was a 94 engine but I didnt' have a problem making things hook up

Correct. It is an easy swap. As far as an HO long block in a Renix vehicle making more HP than an HO is hard to believe. I've done 2 of them with match ported heads, HO eshaust manifold, 60mm throttle body which is bigger than HO. They're quick but not much quicker than my 90 Renix MJ with a 60mm throttle body.

Mine was a 5 speed also if that makes a difference. I had that weird dent thing in the exhaust removed with a straight piece of pipe. BTW, the Pugeot snapped like a twig under that HO. AX15 lasted till the truck was sold. Of course this was 10 years ago so it might not have been any different but it sure seemed that way

Forgot to mention I had new headpipes made eliminating the "crush". Don't take much to scatter a Peugeot trans.

Well on that note, I had another MJ with the Pugeot and it seemed to be about the slowest thing on the road. I sold it to an idiot that managed to shell both diffs in it but the Pugeot held strong. That was 4 years ago so I remember that a lot better

So the motor will bolt right up mounts and all? I haven't looked at the mounts but from what I've read they haven't changed the block on the motor but is the trans mount in the same place?

You'll be fine. Forgot to mention using your valve cover, too, along with the intake/exhaust gasket for the early motor.

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Another thing. Make sure you take a plug out of the coolant galley on the 96, driver's side so you can install your Coolant Temp Sensor. You don't wanna get it all bolted in first.

Any more questions, post them up.

I have read that about the coolant temp sensor. So the valve cove from the 87 I should put on the 96? (why is this) and the intake exhaust gasket. I was going to buy all new and was thinking of putting on the newer style intake from a 98+4.0. Any headers.

Valve cover because the fittings will match your CCV system easier.

Manifold swap isn't worth the hassle. TPS works differently etc. If you're looking for a bit more power, get a 60mm throttle body for your Renix manifold, which is bigger than a 58mm HO throttle body, from www.strokedjeep.com.

Only bolt-on headers are made by Pacesetter.