I have an 86 cherokee with a 2.8L V6 with to many issues to keep fixing once a week so i know the 4.0L inline 6 is a good long lasting motor i was wondering if i could get an 6 in there and match up to the tranny its a auto. thanks

 

i don't think you'll have a problem with the motor, but you probably will have a problem matching it up to the tranny.

 

if so you can get a trans off of craigslist for about 200 bucks.

 

No, it wont, without a lot of work. The pre 1987 XJs fire wall was closer towards the front, and there isn't enough room, not to mention the issues with the ECM, TCM, yada, yada. Your best option is to find a 4.0 XJ, and buy it, rather than throwing money at the 2.8. There is a 3.4 upgrade you can do that will bolt to the trans. It is a GM V6 that is the same bolt pattern as the 2.8. IMHO, the 4.0 is the only way to go, unless you want to swap in a V8, or something.

 

isn't 3.4 like 180 hp? that might not be that bad of a deal?

 

It was built from 1991 to 1997. From 1991 to 1993, it used tuned multi-port fuel injection, made 200-210 hp (150-160 kW) at 5200 rpm and 215 lb·ft (292 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm. From 1994 to 1997, it used sequential port fuel injection, making 215 hp (160 kW) at 5200 rpm and 225 lb·ft (305 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm. It had four large valves per cylinder.

 

3.4s are 160 hp, 10 hp less than the Renix 4.0L. It is a bolt in and needs only to use the Chevy flex plate or flywheel. It is the best bang for the buck.

 

would the 3.4 fit in the pre 87 jeep due to the firewall issue

 

The firewall issue mentioned is a myth. The firewalls are the same. However the difference you will run into is the front clip and radiator cowling and hoods. The Renix era hoods have two latches while ours has a single latch. Also our radiators sit back from the grill while the 4.0 radiators are a different shape and sit on the cross member. To convert this over takes a fair amount of work. Trust me, I have done it. The 3.4 is a much better conversion and lighter than the 4.0. You will also get significantly better gas milage

 

The renix is 177 hp.

 

On a good day

 

The 3.4 L32 160hp, isn't the only option, it came on '93 to '95 camaro/firebird, quite a short time.

There is also the 3.4 LA1 (170-185hp) that was found (mounted transversally in some cases) on the following vehicles:

1996 Chevrolet Lupima APV
1996 Pontiac Trans Sport
1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette
1997-2005 Chevrolet Venture
1997-2005 Pontiac Trans Sport/Montana
1997-2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek
1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am
1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero
2000-2005 Chevrolet Montecarlo
2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala

 

mine feels more like 120...

 

So does my son's.

 

Thanks for the info.

One other thing I might add is to check your local smog laws. Some areas have none while others are fairly tight. In my case, if I used any of these OBDII engines, I would have to use the gas tank that came with the donor car. It is pressurized and that alone could be a small nightmare to make happen in a manner that is practical. The local smog referee made several conversions using new Vette engines on some local 4X4s convert the tanks. There are some instances where you have to use the donor instrument cluster to make the ECM not throw codes. It is best to stick with pre 96 engines. They have their quirks, but are much easier to get past some of the smog laws since they require less. One other note. The OBDI and II engines require a vehicle speed sensor. This might be tough with our older trannys. However there is an adapter made that will convert the speedo cable to a VSS. Whether or not the local smog police will allow this is another matter.