Sean Unrein

So my friend has a 350 engine for me. I never really considered swapping out my i6 for one just cause i didn't have a engine to swap into it. But now I might have one. Guys, is this a good idea? I'm 16 and this is my first car. I've had it for 3 years since I started high school and its my baby. Ive got a good amount of experience working on cars. Most things on a car or truck ive taken apart or put back together with little to no problems most of the time. I've got the 4.0 with the automatic tranny in her and she's 4wd. Give some recommendations or you can just let me know if im god damn crazy. Thanks

EatonXJ

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge...ick-gm/xj-swap

EvanM

Would be a cool project.
I had a 350 and sm465 kicking around for awhile. I eventually sold them.. just didn't think it would be worth the hassle. Rear driveline would be darn short.

Granny low first gear would be sweet. I think tht would be the biggest upgrade an average 350 is just a 350.

I think I'd go with a 6.0 or something with a 4l6e tranny to get something that is alittle more modern runs smoother and makes alittle power.

Battle

Assuming you mean a small block Chevy 350, that engine could make more or less power than a stock 4.0. Some were smogged below 200 hp. Unless you want to build the 350 up to make more than 300 hp, I see zero reason to swap one in. That's a lot of work for little return.

Cummins93

Forced induction on the 4.0L is gaining popularity as a power adder. Far from the intended target of an engine swap.

TrailerTrash

You bought the XJ and started high school at 13 years old?

as said above, a stock 350 wont give much over a 4.0. A built up 350 would but your talking more money. Then you have to choose carburetor or fuel injection. Along with alot of other issues and then all the little parts and work needed.

I will advise against it if the vehicle is your daily or only vehicle. Or if you think you are gunna do the swap in a weekend or 2 and be all set

RockyMtn96XJ

Well, I have a stock SB350 and it makes about 325hp.

If I ever total my SS, I will get the motor out of it for this purpose. (knock on wood)

RockyMtn96XJ

The range of the SB350 in HP was about 150 to nearly 400. So it all depends on what vehicle the engine came from and what year it was.

Aaaaaaaaand, since the jeep in question is probably about 30 years old, I highly doubt its still making factory power................. probably 150-160hp if I had to throw out a guess.

Battle

I was 13 when I started high school - 17 my freshmen year of college. I was always the "young one" and it kind of sucked. In my 30s now and still look like I'm 17 - sucks even more.

That's exactly my point! I'm just assuming the SB350 the OP has is some smogged piece from the malaise era.

RockyMtn96XJ

With so many years and variants, you'll have to get the numbers off the block and heads to make the decision of using it or not. I saw one place that said the low end of HP was 110 back in '75...

But since these motors are so abundant, there is a plethora of them in junkyards to get "upgraded" parts like heads, intakes, etc (if they fit), and the aftermarket parts are EVERYWHERE.... so it wouldn't take a crap ton of work to get one up into a good HP range.

awg

I would not swap the I6 out of a Cherokee (while it was still good)

It would end up costing a lot of time and money for very little gain imo

The XJ does not really lack power for its uses

An XJ is an off-road vehicle...if you want a really fast car, get one for on road

RockyMtn96XJ

Maybe he is turning it into one of those super rock crawlers and wants 300hp..
If the XJ isn't a DD, and you have the time, resources, money, and will, do what you'd like with your XJ. But like I said, get the numbers off the motor and research them to make sure it IS worth the time and $$$. If you DO have one of the crappy SB350's and it would take another $2,000 to make it a nice 350, I probably wouldn't do it. But like I said, it's your project. If you're only gaining 20hp from the swap.... doesn't seem like its worth it.
If you do end up going through with it, you should certainly do a nice thread on the removal of the 4.0, and install of the 350 along with any modifications it takes to install, and what modifications you do to the 350.

not trying to talk you into it though

4.3L XJ

I know you guys like your 4.0. But honestly unless the 350 comes out of a 73-75 rig, a 350 will out perform a straight six any day. The trick is mating it to the tranny, and adapters are available. The real trick is keeping it cool. The best thing to do is use a ZJ cross member, get a good aluminum radiator in ZJ dimensions and ditch the 4.0 cooling problems while you are at it

MayerMR

I was 13 when I started high school - my birthday was right before the cutoff. Wish my parents would have held back another year though...really hurt my performance in sports as I was effectively a year behind the rest of the boys...football was rough...ha

ridesdirt

I have done several engine swaps in different vehicles over the years. Some have been for major power upgrades. Learning from that, I will tell you, if you have a decent 350 it will find the next weakest link in the drive train. Often times swaps dont stop at the engine. I understand the XJ tranny can probably handle it, but drive shafts and axles may not. Projects like this always cost way more than expected in the long run. Just be prepared for that.

I will say it would be super cool to have a V8 in a XJ. Like said previously, I think cooling and exhaust will be a little challenging.