i read some where online(dont remember where now) that its possible to swap a turbo 350 tranny into the XJ's. is this possible and what would be the advantage of the 350 over the stock XJ auto?
has anyone heard or seen this done?

 

No advantage, that I can think of, u would loose overdrive and gain weight.

 

Well a Turbo 350 would be a much better transmission as far as strength goes. The AW4 is listed as either a light duty or medium duty transmission. Besides not having an overdrive I do not see any other downfall. Novak Conversions makes an adapter kit for it too. If you switched to a 700R4 you would have an OD transmission which would still likely be better than your AW4. Plus to the best of my knowledge neither of them are computer controlled.




http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kit_437amc5.htm

 

not to mention the availability of a much larger selection of aftermarket stuff for the TH 350

 

Excellent point

 

My gf and I have put a AW4 thru hell and it still comes back for more, just needs a trans cooler to be happy. I dont see why you would get away from it, more headaches than benefits

 

They both actually weight pretty close to the same amount.

 

that cooler is such an easy and effective unit. i havent had a single issue with overheating since the install... not to say the fluids wernt in rough shape... a really good flush and some new hardware= very easy and your jeep will thank you.

on top of that, i recently did a bunch of replacing on things like plugs, wires, cap, rotor, IAC, TPS, then pulled TB apartand cleaned it... due to this weird hesitation thing... i ended up with pretty smooth revs, and a slight increase in MPGs', and maybe a half a pony. id still like to do the o2's and the coil. these parts end up at around 30 for coil, and about 75 for both o2's... maybe soon, there is a small list of other random **** to fix first...

 

I am not saying the AW4 is a horrible transmission mine has 210k on it and still shifts. I just added a trans cooler and changed the fluid in mine and it seems to shift better. A turbo 350 is a better and stronger trans though. If I needed a trans I would consider it but I wouldn't put a 350 in just to do it.

 

Finding rebuild parts and options would indeed be easier.

I'm just not convinced the TH350 would be the best choice.

 

Both the OBDI and OBD II style engines with the AW4 are computer controlled. The computer for mine is located underneath the kick panel below the glove box.

 

I would go more towards a 700r4 because of overdrive if I were to go with an auto.

 

+1!

I've never seen anyone blow up an aw4 that was taken care of in less than 500 000km

I'm keeping the aw4 as long as i possibly can.

 

I've got a 5 speed manual in my 87, so I haven't really looked into anything involving autos.

I'd do some serious research before settling on any trans if I were doing a swap.

 

It is not like there are a ton of options there are only 2 a Chevy Trans or an AW4.