Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

96 Engine rebuild, what mods to do?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-16-2014, 09:31 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
jhc7399's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default 96 Engine rebuild, what mods to do?

Looking to have a friend help me with a rebuild on a 96 4.0 to put in my 99. Just curious what mods and what all parts you would replace on the rebuilt engine as new.

I plan on getting a 62mm TB, Injector upgrade, of course all usual tune up parts. Sending the block out and getting it back as a small block. The engine I am buying, seller says it had a 3 angle vavle job 3 months before he pulled it out so I will send that to a shop to have it looked at to make sure everything is good with that.

Any other ideas? This will be my daily driver hopefully for many years so fuel economy is a big deal.

Thanks
Old 05-16-2014, 11:15 AM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
JeepCoMJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Late 99 and up intake, apn header, 4.2 crank and rods, autolite plugs ("performance" plugs have negative effects on 4.0), hi flow tstat housing, and a good quality tstat.
Old 05-16-2014, 11:38 AM
  #3  
Junior Member
 
BigBadBob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Florida & Utah
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7 Stroker
Default

When I spun a bearing in my 96 XJ I decided to make it a 4.6 stroker. Forged pistons and crank, upgraded injectors, new water pump, valve job, and larger throttle body. I haven't noticed any reduction in city gas mileage and highway mileage has actually increased to about 15mpg. it's not a daily driver and I've only put about 3,500 miles on the rebuild (2 yrs ago) so I feel it's still breaking in. I have much more torque and a lot quicker off the line than the stock 4.0. Works for me. Good luck, Murf
Old 05-16-2014, 01:02 PM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
JeepCoMJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

If you are only getting 15mpg out of any 4.0, you need to drive nicer, or regear to match your tire size.

24mpg out of my stroker...4.10 and 33x10.50 tires with auto trans.
Old 05-16-2014, 05:58 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
Fred/N0AZZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by JeepCoMJ
If you are only getting 15mpg out of any 4.0, you need to drive nicer, or regear to match your tire size.

24mpg out of my stroker...4.10 and 33x10.50 tires with auto trans.
24mpg that would be the only XJ I have ever heard of that came even close to that. In fact 14mpg would be more realistic, my Lincoln Town Car only gets 24mpg on the hiway.

On the engine swap you will need to do something about the ECU switching to an engine of that year. You said your taking your engine to the shop (the 99 ?) and getting a small block back, do you mean a short block? If that's true just find an early 99 head not the one you have they switched mid year and have it rebuilt complete long block.
Old 05-16-2014, 10:38 PM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
JeepCoMJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Fred/N0AZZ
24mpg that would be the only XJ I have ever heard of that came even close to that. In fact 14mpg would be more realistic, my Lincoln Town Car only gets 24mpg on the hiway.

On the engine swap you will need to do something about the ECU switching to an engine of that year. You said your taking your engine to the shop (the 99 ?) and getting a small block back, do you mean a short block? If that's true just find an early 99 head not the one you have they switched mid year and have it rebuilt complete long block.
Twice in that post you are wrong.

1.). XJ's are rated 18-19 stock. Stroker equals more power and torque. Power increased over weight maintained equals decreased fuel consumption as the engine doesn't have to work...so long as all other components (tires, gears) mathematically equate to stock ratio.

2.). You can run any 4.0 high output off of any year high output PCM, so long as all sensors and drives (distributor, flexplate) are used for the appropriate year connectors and torque converter bolt pattern (there were 3 different TC bolt patterns).

The 96 head is an improvement over the 99 head as the exhaust ports are economically sized.
Old 05-16-2014, 11:10 PM
  #7  
Seasoned Member
 
zeecherokeeman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: maryland
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2 Door 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L H.O.
Default

Originally Posted by JeepCoMJ
Late 99 and up intake, apn header, 4.2 crank and rods, autolite plugs ("performance" plugs have negative effects on 4.0), hi flow tstat housing, and a good quality tstat.
99 and up intake you lose horsepower
Old 05-17-2014, 01:44 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
jhc7399's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by JeepCoMJ
Twice in that post you are wrong.

1.). XJ's are rated 18-19 stock. Stroker equals more power and torque. Power increased over weight maintained equals decreased fuel consumption as the engine doesn't have to work...so long as all other components (tires, gears) mathematically equate to stock ratio.

2.). You can run any 4.0 high output off of any year high output PCM, so long as all sensors and drives (distributor, flexplate) are used for the appropriate year connectors and torque converter bolt pattern (there were 3 different TC bolt patterns).

The 96 head is an improvement over the 99 head as the exhaust ports are economically sized.
So I need to use all of the 99's electronics on the 96 engine and keep the 96 head. Which intake, I have heard the 99 and up is the better design? And use the 99 tk and flex plate?
Old 05-17-2014, 06:25 AM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
JeepCoMJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by zeecherokeeman
99 and up intake you lose horsepower
Incorrect. Late 99 & up increases intake volume x2, thus improving airflow and performance.
Old 05-17-2014, 06:26 AM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
JeepCoMJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by jhc7399
So I need to use all of the 99's electronics on the 96 engine and keep the 96 head. Which intake, I have heard the 99 and up is the better design? And use the 99 tk and flex plate?


Yes to all
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
t.mcginley.jr
Jeep Builds
105
01-31-2024 04:58 PM
Jooman07
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
17
01-03-2016 04:15 PM
Tcq192
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
7
10-23-2015 09:25 AM
Dan Fredrickson
Vendor Showcase
2
09-08-2015 08:47 AM
MyJeepIsATyrant
Introductions
3
09-04-2015 02:10 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: 96 Engine rebuild, what mods to do?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:47 PM.