I think I am going to switch my 2.8 v6 to the 2.5 I4. I have the 3 spd transmission but the donner motor came off of a 5 speed. Research says they should bolt up but my question is the flywheel. Do need to get one off of a I4 that was hooked up to an automatic or are they the same. Thanks for any help.

 

Manual transmissions have a Flywheel, autos have a flexplate. Very different.

 

Ok so i assume motors are not made for speciffic transmissions so would it be a big deal to remove the flywheel and install a flexplate on the I4?

 

It would be easier, cheaper and a FAR better end product if you just buy a cheap ($500, easy) '87+ XJ 4.0/AW4 and swap your other stuff over. They built nearly 2.9 million Cherokees, there's no good reason to spend a bunch of money on a pre-Chrysler XJ.

 

^x2

 

Swap in a GM 3.4 V6. The external block dimensions are identical as the 2.8, so the swap is as if you put another 2.8 in. Horsepower jumps to 150 and torque is a bit over 200ftlb with your stock Rochester 2 barrel carb and HEI ignition. Thats close to the old 4.0s power, but at higher RPMs. It takes a second to build power, not right off the bat like a 4.0, but its a Rippin, cheap, simple Swap.

 

I have been thinking about the 3.4 swap. The reason I was thinking about this I4 is because it has been built and has alot of torqe. I was able to drive the jeep it is in now. It looked like a simple swap and when I did some research, I found that my 3 spd auto tranny was used for both motors. That is why I was wondering if it was hard to switch from a flywheel to flex plate.

 

No it's not hard to switch from a flexplate to a flywheel. It's just a few bolts.

 

Thats what I was hoping for. Thanks

 

Here's a pick of the work in progress



They both mount to the motor the same way. Only the flexplate has the torque converter bolted to it where the flywheel is surfaced for the clutch to grab hold of.

 

Do the 2.5 liter it's still better than any 60 degree gm junk even a 3.4 p.o.s. You can even get parts from a 2.5 liter dakota also so a possiable stronger t.c swap.

 

I heard someplace that the 4cylinder engine actually had a higher horsepower rating than the 2.8 V6.

 

Great idea on the swap. It is nice to see someone build what they have, and not go the easy route that ends up with another XJ scrapped. Good Luck