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Old 11-16-2008, 11:24 AM
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Hey guys I was wondering if you thought I could drop a straight six into my '85 Chief? I think that would be just enough power for me
Old 11-16-2008, 11:26 AM
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Sorry to break it to you, but you'd be better off buying an XJ with a 4.0 in it already!! There is a lot of crap that has to go with a fuel injected engine swap, like the one you're referring to. ECU, TCU, fuel system...the list goes on and on!! Laters!!
Old 11-16-2008, 11:27 AM
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I think you can do anything you want to...Just have to make sure ya get all the electronics and such like ecm ya need. I dunno if I would do a RENIX straight six of if I would move up to the early say 91ish that had the HO motor..
Old 11-16-2008, 07:03 PM
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Well the engine I have in it is done, finished. So I just want to swap out the engine, period. I would like more power but at this point I just want an engine that runs like it should. Could you tell me what the easiest swap would be if I decided to get a bigger motor or do you think I should just get a better working 2.8?
Old 11-16-2008, 07:10 PM
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I think that the 3.4L is a viable V6 to use in this application. Someone has done that swap on here but I can't remember who. Whowey knows a bit about which engines are a good match for your tranny and everything else. You might PM him if he doesn't chime in.
Old 11-16-2008, 08:06 PM
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carbed big block!!! haha (not really though)
Old 11-16-2008, 08:17 PM
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I seem to remember reading on this site that the engine bay is shorter on the pre-4.0 Xj's, requiring work to the firewall for clearance when swapping in a straight 6..(in addition to all the electrics, etc.)...Probably more work than it is worth, which is why other members here are steering you towards getting an XJ with a 4.0 already installed, or going with a 3.4 swap...But hey, if you decide to try it...take pictures and do a write-up!
Old 11-16-2008, 09:15 PM
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I forgot to tell ya'll, I refuse to get a new Jeep. I know it would be easier but my baby bought me this and I intend to keep it and make it AWESOME!
Old 11-16-2008, 09:19 PM
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you have the 2.8L v6 right?
Old 11-16-2008, 09:28 PM
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I know that for S-10/Sonoma's the 3.4L was an upgrade that you can swap in, without much if any modification, it's the same physical size.
And, just buy another complete/maybe wrecked jeep and pull everything off it for your swap. The 2.8L is a big POS one of GM's worst, especially the carb'd ones.
Old 11-17-2008, 07:43 AM
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Originally Posted by offroadnut36
you have the 2.8L v6 right?
Yes I do.

I'll look at the junkyard sometime this week and see what I can find
Old 11-17-2008, 07:50 AM
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I think the 3.4 was used in some pretty fast Pontiacs too. But you don't need speed you need torque. Did you ever get a reply from Whowey? He seems to know a bit more about these V6s and might be able to help you more than we 4.0L Jeep guys.
Old 11-17-2008, 09:12 AM
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i would check into a 4.3 v6 from chevy, they put out great power and they are a dime a dozen. check on length but i think its the same length as your 2.8. and there are some huge upgrades for them. just my .02
Old 11-17-2008, 09:14 AM
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oh and you can get one running out here in cali for about 500 bucks and add about 100 bucks for the harness and ecm, should bolt right in. check around because i have done no research on this.
Old 11-17-2008, 09:22 AM
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just did a real quick search and found this, it may or may not help

http://forums.fourwheeler.com/70/775...wap/index.html


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