Swapping a 00 motor with a 98
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 5
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From: Bayboro NC
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 1998 4.0
Here is the scenario, I have a 00 XJ Sport with a blown engine and I have a wrecked 98 Limited but the engine runs great. I know that the 98 has the distributor system and the 00 has the coil on plug. I would like to try to keep the distributor and I was wondering if I snagged the pcm and wiring out of the 98 would there be anything else I would have to take out of the 98 to make this work???
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 897
Likes: 12
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Herp Derp Jerp

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Yes, you can change that stuff over very easily. Remove distributor, install special "not a distributor" that spins the CMP.
You'll have to make two minor hurdles though on account of the head differences. The easy one is bending up some brackets to hold the coil rail down. The valve cover screws are a good spot for that, and so many of them are studs with nuts so that's quite simple.
The other one is fitting the proper exhaust. Your 0331 head (2000 model year) has smaller exhaust ports than the 0630 head (1998). If you're one of the lucky people with Federal Emissions with only the two O2 sensors and one catalytic converter (two manifolds meet at a Y) then you can just use a manifold and downpipe from an earlier model year. If you have the four sensors and three cats, though, you're stuck with the newer style and should buy an adapter to avoid burning up gaskets and excessive turbulence and backpressure
You'll have to make two minor hurdles though on account of the head differences. The easy one is bending up some brackets to hold the coil rail down. The valve cover screws are a good spot for that, and so many of them are studs with nuts so that's quite simple.
The other one is fitting the proper exhaust. Your 0331 head (2000 model year) has smaller exhaust ports than the 0630 head (1998). If you're one of the lucky people with Federal Emissions with only the two O2 sensors and one catalytic converter (two manifolds meet at a Y) then you can just use a manifold and downpipe from an earlier model year. If you have the four sensors and three cats, though, you're stuck with the newer style and should buy an adapter to avoid burning up gaskets and excessive turbulence and backpressure
Yes, you can change that stuff over very easily. Remove distributor, install special "not a distributor" that spins the CMP.
You'll have to make two minor hurdles though on account of the head differences. The easy one is bending up some brackets to hold the coil rail down. The valve cover screws are a good spot for that, and so many of them are studs with nuts so that's quite simple.
The other one is fitting the proper exhaust. Your 0331 head (2000 model year) has smaller exhaust ports than the 0630 head (1998). If you're one of the lucky people with Federal Emissions with only the two O2 sensors and one catalytic converter (two manifolds meet at a Y) then you can just use a manifold and downpipe from an earlier model year. If you have the four sensors and three cats, though, you're stuck with the newer style and should buy an adapter to avoid burning up gaskets and excessive turbulence and backpressure
You'll have to make two minor hurdles though on account of the head differences. The easy one is bending up some brackets to hold the coil rail down. The valve cover screws are a good spot for that, and so many of them are studs with nuts so that's quite simple.
The other one is fitting the proper exhaust. Your 0331 head (2000 model year) has smaller exhaust ports than the 0630 head (1998). If you're one of the lucky people with Federal Emissions with only the two O2 sensors and one catalytic converter (two manifolds meet at a Y) then you can just use a manifold and downpipe from an earlier model year. If you have the four sensors and three cats, though, you're stuck with the newer style and should buy an adapter to avoid burning up gaskets and excessive turbulence and backpressure
🐱🐱🐱🐱
so if I ordered that part from jeepexhaustadapter it should help eh ?
So if I buy or make that adapter for my exhaust and set my tdc and place the csps in correctly then all should be well ? I’m praying it works cus I’ve been struggling w this literally for two years and would love to be jeepin’ again . There’s nothing else like a good ol xj . Some might be better or worse but not much are on the same level lol thanks again for everyone’s input
::CF Administrator::





Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
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