Trust me! if you build a conservative 4.4 or 5L stoker at approx 250 HP you'll peel the tread of you tires.

 

I would say find a Wrecked Cherokee or Wrangler with a newer engine and buy the whole thing and swap the H.O engine over with harness and computer. But its also dependent on your States laws on what can go back in.

 

see there is my other thought... is a stroker from the older weaker renex engine different from stroking the newer HO engine? Is that a pain in the *** to swap out? Is it even worth it at that point?

My dad is twisting my arm pretty hard about going to a V8 although my canadian friend teaching me all these lessons has been GREAT and informative beyond my expectations.. and really makes a good case for the stroker as well.

So renex stroker ?
HO swap then stroke it?
350 swap?

is the 350 the easiest v8 swap if I were to go that route?

Fuel injectors I know are differernt for the Renex and the HO based on the flow rate. So there is a small difference there for sure and the head ? I guess.

Thanks guys.. I will keep asking and plugging away LOL Until I get myself informed enough and find what I can afford to do as well. Like I say I count on this taking 6 to 8 months to complete. So I have quite a lot of time also.

 

OK no more answers till you get the lady in that shirt to call me! LOL
The Renix block should be able to handle the relatively small HP gains a stoker gives. If your aiming for more than 250HP then spend the bucks on a newer block. The 00 engine is supposed to be much beefier in the bearing girdle area.
If you get the HO engine do the stroker to it before installing it.
Sometimes part of growing up is telling your dad "I'm doing it my way" Just remember to duck after saying that.
Can't tell you if the SBC is the easiest. Haven't done on in a Cherokee. Now if you want it in a Chevette, I've got some new swear words I bet you've never heard.
There are several threads on Fuel Injectors that can better explain the Renix VS Chyrco. Do a search on those.
One last note. If you go stroker I would change the computer etc to a newer one. I'm sure some one has done it on this site. do a search on that or start a new thread.

 

if you go with the SBC, how would you handle the rest of the drivetrain? IMO your better off with the stroker. I think you will have less money and headaches in it and it will perform just as well.

 

OK so I lied... Im gunna go stroker after a lot of thought.. it seems much cheaper and easier... I have an 88 like I said.. so I have a couple more questions.

Hopefully my canadian friend is still around...

IF I do this stroker setup with the newer manifold and head? or engine? Or whatever is better.. what do I do with the renix crap?

Or do I get a 95 head or whatever and all the parts and use my old block? or .. do I get all the new parts.. build up a newer block and use the renix stuff still or does that have to be replaced? Thats the only parts I dont understand now.. is weather all my "computer" stuff has to be replaced or will the renix stuff work?

Can I stroke the engine I have now? As I dont need to drive it.. or is that 88 block enough of a turd I shouldnt worry about it?
I have read thousands of writeups.. mostly for 91 or newer jeeps... so Im in the 88 with the renix stuff.. I do have an open coolin system which works great... so at least I got the bottle outa there LOL.


SO lets do this..

Can I stroke the 88 engine safely without changing the renix "computer" stuff out? what parts do I need there? Just the crank rods and pistons? Oh and injectors?.. Also I have some yellow top ford injectors... I dont know if theyre the right ones.. I dont see 4 points? on them... just one. I dont know what Im looking at. Really.

OR

Do I need to swap the computer system out to a 91 or newer computer system along with changing basically the whole engine out anyways? Is that easy or hard? Is it realistic for a guys whos NOT a mechaninc... I have lotsa know a lot friends.. but I am not a mechanic really but have lots of nice tools and a decent garage and some builder type friends...

So I know my canadian buddy recomended the stroker I am taking his advice... now I need to put it in action.. I just need to know what to purchase... and what to use?

I CAN get another block and whatever I need... Id just rather not take the long hard way to do it now.. LOL... so with the renix stuff does it just need to be replaced or can it be used... after that.. basically what do i need? pistons, cam crank, 96 intake manifold and rail? 00 head? I hear this and that about all that stuff.. I just need a list so I can get to buying it LOL.

I have an empty engine stand and a ton of tools ready to go! Thanks guys!

As I get this going I will keep track of it.. as an 88 to a Stroker.. and make a document to help others with questions like myself. So your help will be used for more than myself.. thanks again!

 

one more tiny question... I have a 4 inch lift.. it has rear blocks.. they suck.. give me a couple links to something to replace them properly... springs? Thank you!

 

I have a complete HO engine and wiring harness with PCM still there out of a 93 if your interested. Since your stroking it, the whole motor probably wouldn't do you much good being I'm in NY, but the top end (head and intake) and wiring harness may be what you need. As for easiness, wiring harness is pretty common sense stuff, stroking a motor is not so easy for someone without serious mechanical knowledge even having a shop do all the precision work.

I have a buddy with a stroker that got 250ish on the dyno and honestly, my HO (210ish hp with minor upgrades to pistons, intake and exhaust) can pull right with his, light them up just as well, and gets way better gas mileage.

As for the spring issue, Jeeps get spring wrap, get rid of the blocks, use HD springs (or build a set like mine using springs from another Jeep) and lift shackles.

 

Are there aftermarket like.. 4 inch springs? to replace the blocks or do I build a leafpack from like an S10 or dakota? I heard doing the swap to the Ho setup can be harder than stroking the renix engine.. I dont really know what the difference would be honestly.. but thats why I am asking. Thanks!

 

(wow i agree Jamie57 amazing).Do what he said it is the best way.Plus the simple way to go,everything is there.

 

I don't see how a HO swap would be hard so long as you get everything you need to do it before you start. I would make sure I had a wiring harness, PCM and fuse block off an HO. I don't think it changed anything inside the Jeep. A wiring harness swap is easy, a motor swap isn't too hard, so I don't see how it would be complicated.
The springs, I build a bastard pack using the 2 longest springs off a cherokee and added those to my existing pack. Netted about 2 1/2 inches, 2 inch shackles and I would have 4 1/2 inches. But you could do the Dakota or s 10 spring bastard pack, then use shackles to get whatever else is needed. I would definitely do that instead of running blocks. A member of the local club I belong to was running blocks and we all learned why they are bad when he was at Rauch Creek ORP in Pa a couple of weeks ago. His springs sounded like China scattering across the rocks when they let loose. Limped his Jeep home and I'm not sure what he used to make a bastard pack, but that's the route he took when he got back.

 

I'm back!

From everthing I've read and know from experience, and if I were you, this is how I would go. I'll give you several options as I go.
First check out ALL the stroker pages you can find. Lots of good info but some of them contradict each other. DO your homework on how you want it built. Do you want a mild (4.3 225 HP) or wild (5.0 350 HP+) engine. This will dictate what parts you need to buy and what machining you need to get done.

Easiest. Least expesive
Get a hold of a 4.2L (258 cu.in.) out of a cj. I had a chance to buy a complete running gear here in london for about $150. That was engine tranny and both axles. missed it by 10 minutes. Offered the new guy $200 but he wasn't biting.
There are deals out there.
All you really need are the crank and rods. Actually you might need only the crank for some types of stroker.
Use your 88 short block for the build. You will need new pistons and rings (and bearings). I would however get a newer head and intake. You can then use all your renix stuff. The newer head and intake just breath so much better. Do get a new cam with a better profile. Don't go nuts on this unless you go for a BIG stroker.
All the usual stuff you do for any rebuild apply. Magnafluxing the crank rods, head, and block. Don't want to spend all that money and cough an engine the first time you put the boots to it.

Mild difficultly and expense
Hunt down a 98-06 block. Yes they only made XJ's to 01 but the 4.0 lived on in other jeeps till 06. The newer block was beefed up in all the right places. After 00 they went with coil pack ignition so provisions for a distruibuter might be gone. Haven't checked yet. Buy a new 4.2 crank and rods. Get .30 over pistons. I've read that you can use SBC pistons. Have the block prepped and decked. Find a newer head. Casting #'s are found on other threads. stay away from 0331 unless you can confirm it's not the one that was prone to cracking. Find the thicker head gasket. Your compression will be higher on this engine.
Use a newer HO intake and bored out throttle body. 60mm should be fine for this build. upgrade the fuel pump and run the Ford or Neon injectors. Don't bother with the spacer. waste of money. Spring for the header. Lots of choices. I'd find the one that doesn't need modifications if you later decide to install the 99-06 intake.
You can still use all the renix stuff to fire this puppy up but I would go with a hi performance coil and a MSD module.

More difficult more expensive.
same program with block and head. mess with rod length, deck block, larger pistons, and wilder cam. 99-06 intake with performance header. Use the 62-3mm throttle body and upgraded fuel pump and injectors.
Now we mess with instaling a newer ECU. I haven't tried it myself but it shouldn't be that difficult. I'd go with the newest I could get my hands on.


In all these engines spring for the Mopar High performance oil pump. Like buying million dollar insurance for pennies.
Plugs are personal preference but I like the (Wait I have to put on my flame proof suit first) Bosch Platinums. OK Flame on guys.

Now I'm not 100% sure on this but I can't see any reason why you can't go nuts on a stoker engine and still use just about all the ELECTRICAL stuff, meaning ignition and ECU and guages. You will need to change the fuel pumps and injectors and some of the plugs that go to the injectors. Stuff like that but it's not difficult.
The only thing I do know is that I'm not sure about the renix intake to newer head thing. My experience here is ummm next to none.

Good luck.
and I'm still waiting for that phone call from the babe in the Tshirt.

 

Awesome Jamie57 exactly what I needed to confirm! Thank you!

 

Check out his thread!

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/strokers-15710/