01 engine swap ?
 

I know this has been covered but I'm trying to cover my basics , with all the misleading info on an engine swap that's online. I have a 2001 XJ. it needs a motor ( head cracked ruined bearings yada yada) I have a buddy wanting to give me a low mile 98 ZJ engine. I plan on using the 98 block and head. I know that I need to do the ignition thing. I know I will need to use the 98 exhaust manifold. And I'm assuming I will use my 2001 intake manifold with a new 2001 intake gasket. Am I on the right track here ? And is there any other things you've come across? Thx.

Can someone at least refer me to a link that pretty clear on the subject Thanks

If u use the 98 exhaust manifold, and it's a California emissions. Where are u gonna put the pre cats and the extra oxygen sensors?

That's a good point. Our state doesn't check emissions though. A perso could always add a bung into the pipe somewhere. But from what I've read or at least tried to understand the 01 exhaust manifold won't work on the earlier heads. This is why I'm trying to ask from people who have done this swap personally to see what they encountered along the way

XJwonders I can also buy a header for the 98 engine which has the two precat bungs already in place for around $200 so that will take care of that problem as another option

you might would need to change the PCM to a 99 I have done tupy head swaps on 00-01 engines. But not putting a older block/head combo and trying to convert it.

Next time I encounter a cracked head I also plan to go down the same route you are doing; putting a 97-99 engine and converting everything to fool the jeep into thinking its a 97-99.

So far I figured you would need a computer because of the converting from coil pack to distributor set up, I'm not sure if the Check Engine Light would pop up if it get confused because the PCM was set up for a coil pack instead. I may be wrong though and maybe the PCM would be fine.

No I don't plan on using the distributor. I'm gonna use the 01 everything but the block and head. That's what the donor engine is for. I hope I haven't confused anyone. Lol

Are you distributor less ignition right now? My buddies 01 xj had a distributor. As far as doing the swap, I've done an older head on the new block, and we just used an 01 gasket with a 99 gasket. If the ZJ is distributor, you'll want everything under the hood.

Yes my 01 is coil pack. I plan on just putting all the 01 goodies on the 98 block and heads minus the exhaust

I have done (3) 00-01 Cherokee swaps with 99 and older motors.

1) Swap your intake and all its sensors to the new motor
2) Swap the Cam Sensor (where distributor usualy goes) This can be a pain, you need to put cylinder 1 at "top dead center" and put a toothpick #2 in to lock the sensor in place before placing it in (pointing it kind of how it was in your old motor) - I have always tuned it by ear after running, but you are suppose to use a fancy dealership computer to set the cam sensor right.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f26e5f5b70.gif

3) The older heads (0630 & 0720) have bigger exhaust ports, USUALLY your 0331 head exhaust manifold WILL NOT WORK, it will not cover the exhaust ports of the earlier heads, first one I used a Rugged Ridge Header, the last two I used a eBay Header - Just search on eBay "2000 Jeep 4.0 Stainless header" or here is an example

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STAINLESS-RACING-MANIFOLD-HEADER-EXHAUST-00-06-JEEP-WRANGLER-TJ-4-0L-l6-AMC-242-/400369205658?fits=Year%3A2000%7CMake%3AJeep&hash=item5d37dd419a&vxp=mtr
Getting the bottom two bolts in the bottom center of header is a FRICKEN PAIN IN THE A$$ to get started and tight (took me about an hour each), a little easier if done while the motor is outl - Also use some lock-tight on the 4 bolts that hold the precats to the header - two have loosened up on me.

Per a suggestion from a drag racing buddy I always coat both sides the gasket with a very thin layer of with "Permatex Ultra Copper Sensor Safe High-Temp RTV Silicone Gasket Maker 3 oz 81878"

4) the coil you can just slip on the plugs, I usually cut the sleeves that are used to feed the bolts down to the head about 1/2", so there is room for the bolt head and I can put the bolts up from the block side up and bolt the coil to a bracket going to the valve cover bolts (Chevy Starter Shims work great for this - just drill one hole bigger) I usually use two.

Some think its stupid, but I got rid of that long pain in the butt coil and replaced it with a Dodge Caravan (or Viper) coil and plug wires on one of my Jeeps - Google "Jeep 4.0L Viper Coil Swap"

As always with a motor swap, make sure you get that damn Torque converter back enough in the trans so your fingers can't fit between trans and torque converter, can't say how many times I did not get it back far enough and it was binded up and I had to loosen all the bell housing bolts and play with it to go back right.

If you have any questions let me know, I can do these swaps in my sleep now.

Good Luck

PS: You really don't want to go with an earlier model exhaust manifold, you don't want to mess around with the (4) O2 Sensors that are before and after those PreCats.

People talk about O2 eliminators and such, but your Jeep computer uses these sensors to set the fuel and air intake, I would not suggest getting rid of them.

Also with the header, add some Neon Injectors and a Cowl Cold Air Intake and the motor will be a bit peppier on these swaps. (I have dumped the Cat further down on the exhaust and added a decent muffler)