Im a noob to jeeps but cant daily drive my stang....so as a mechanic knowing the great reliability of the I6 i bought an 89 cherokee

It doesnt have multiport injection and its...well slow compared to the newer ones.

Whats involved in a complete HO swap?

 

full engine and harness with ECM.

 

This might help... You might have to cut and paste the link into your browser if it doesn't work...

NON-HO TO HO SWAP, QUICK OVERVIEW
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/cheroke...p/engswap.html

 

I guess the link doesn't work anymore... If you go to off-road.com and search you may be able to find it.

 

From this statement I take it you got a 2.5l? Renix 4.0 engines ARE fuel injected, I have one.. lol
The 2.5; however, is TBI or Carbed..

If you have the 2.5l; im assuming you do since you mentioned no fuel injection, the easiest way to gain "speed" is to change your gearing. Or sell it and get a 4.0 cherokee...

 

The swap will only gain you about 20hp and about 5lbs of torque. (if you have a Renix)

Just get a good exhaust and intake, do a full tune-up, and maybe gears if you have the money. (some Cherokees with 2.5l I4 had 4.10 geared axles that are a direct swap to yours)

 

Yes it's a Renix 4.0 Its got a brand new stock cat and catback unless I could get money for the stock exhaust im probably going to keep it. I feel like it doesnt have the midrange of the other motors thats all...Its fuel injected sorry, but I just saw the engine during the day.

What kind of gas mileage should I expect also?

 

If its running good you should get better gas mileage with the renix then with H.O.

 

I think some people get like 22mpg with a stock renix...
I dont know what my mileage is, Never have the money for a full tank.

 

I know I get like 14mph, if that. But then again, I'm running 33" tires with stock 3.07 gears. My engine needs a full tune up, new exhaust. Gears will come with beefier axles.

I have driven my dads 1996 with the HO, and it is pretty perky, but it's all stock.

 

i get almost 20 on the highway and about 13-14 in town running 33's with 4.56 gears

 

I get about 20mpg freeway with 31's and stock 3.55 gears and around 14-16 in town..

 

My daughter gets 24-25 average with her 90. No lift, rolling 235s on 3.55s and an automatic. But she DOES work for that mileage. I think the thing is quicker than my 4.0 ZJ...

 

my 89 does decent on mpg.