I have a 1996 Grand cherokee limited with a 318 5.2l. It's starting to smoke and I'd like to find another engine to rebuild while my current one is dying. How hard would it be to put a 360 in it? Like would i have to swap computers, transmission, wiring harness?
And would it be much of a power increase?
Anyone have a 318 or a 360 they'd sell?
Located in Flora Illinois

 

Not that hard to do, but you'll only get about 20 horsepower more.

 

You can get more than 20 hp increase, but you will have to do extensive engine and electronic mods to get it.

 

But you can get almost the same out of a 318 with a lot of work too, but bone stock the 360 is only about 20HP more.

 

Flora, IL? Haven't been there in years! Used to have great-grandfolks who lived in Noble.

The MOPAR 360 should be a direct swap mechanically, but you won't get as much of a power increase as you're hoping for - it would be easier, most likely, to just "build up" your 318.

You could also build up a 360 on the stand and drop it on - that would net more of an increase - but it's just as easy to do with the 318.

360 is the largest LA-block V8 in common use - to go larger, you'd have to go with the LA488 or LA505 V10 engines (they're based on the LA block, just as the LA238ci V6 is,) but I'm not sure about mounting issues - and you would definitely have to bring the electronics along! Would make for an interesting swap tho - and, since the underhood of the ZJ is built to accommodate the AMC six, the extra length of the LA V10 block shouldn't be a big problem...

 

The truck V-10 would be a very tight fit. The bulkhead may need some work, but I bet it could happen.

 

Well right now the jeep is my DD so I can't have it tore apart but maybe for a saturday. I'm not looking to get more power, just a spare engine for when mine quits. I'm just wondering what engines would just be a simple swap without having to redo everything. I'd like to find another 318 and rebuilt it and see how much power I could get out of it. What are some ways to increase power without killing gas milage too much?
My 91 Cherokee started smoking and about a month later it was burning a quart every 20 miles

 

408-Stroker baby!

 

You want more power, or gas mileage? Hard to get both.

 

I'd like more power but not to drop the gas milage down to like 6mpg

 

I would just find a junkyard GC with the same 5.2 318 in it . You can either rebuild one or just get a jy one and replace all the accessable gaskets while the engine is out, then swap when your old one dies.

 

If you do a good rebuild and blueprint the engine, you may see gains in horespower and gas mileage because you're building the engine as it was designed by the factory, and the engine will be slightly more efficient. A more efficient engine will have less friction and you'll gain in both ends of the spectrum.