I see the validity in this point. XJ's have the stigma of being "disposable." The 4.0 IMO is adequate for the Cherokee, but is adequate really fun? LS drivetrains are cheap (relatively,) and with a tune, cam, heads, and maybe a convertor, you're making big power. All in a light weight package that fits in about any rig.

OP, I say go for it. I have been nothing other than impressed with the 6.0 in my 7000lb beluga whale of a truck. I could only imagine what one or a 5.3 would be like in a light rig.

 

yup, dont get me wrong i love the 4.0, probly has the most power and torque of any stock 6 cylinder ive ever driven, but the 5.3 is also a fantastic motor, its a little more modern, more efficent than the 4.0 and make great power at a stock level. plus i like the challenge of swapping the motor rather than putting in a new 4.0.

 

I did what you are thinking about but I went all chevy 4.8 & 4L60 chevy trans.
I purchased a adaptor that connects the trans to the Np231 along with the spline that connects the trans to the TC.

I purchased all the adaptation pcs. From Novac. He also has a tutorial on how to do it. He flashed the brain and built the wire loom to go from chevy to jeep.

Why reinvent the wheel when it's already been done

I did a lot more to the Cherokee then I'm writing about. If you would like to discuss, send me a PM with a phone # and I would be happy to discuss it with you.
There is a lot of BS in some of the replies. I love it and it's more fun to drive then then you can imagine.

Dennis

 

Your info was, for the most part, on point and very helpful. On the other hand, your grammar and spelling is atrocious and incredibly hard to read. Clearly, you're an intelligent dude, so why type so poorly?

 

Its not just the engine though, its also the brakes have to be rebuilt completely, the unibody twists up with all the torque, and so on. The XJ just isn't a performance platform.

OP should do whatever he wants though. I did an engine swap on a mid-80s FWD Cadillac, so I know all about having fun with stuff that has no business with it.

 

People swap big engines into so-called "non-performance-platform" vehicles all the time. Being a car guy means doing stuff like this, and when stuff breaks, fixing it or making it better so it won't break again.

I have long sold the XJ I had when I started this thread because it was simply far too rusty to sink any kind of time/money into, but if I can ever find a good, solid foundation I will be doing this.

 

Feel free to still stick around CF.