Vortec 4.3 V6 swap.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,104
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
And not to mention with that kind of weight and power it would rip your frame rails in half without stiffeners/ reinforcement. If your dead set on a swap then V8 ls swap all the way. Look up serious offroad's swap it's probably the most in-depth for the 5.3L
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1007477
But it takes a lot of work and fab skill that most people aren't willing or able to do. If you want more power out of your 4.0l then look up doing a stroker, it gives you a bit more power and drops right back in it also requires no other modifications from stock besides higher flowing injectors. And if that power isn't enough for you then you can always throw on a supercharger and have it tuned.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1007477
But it takes a lot of work and fab skill that most people aren't willing or able to do. If you want more power out of your 4.0l then look up doing a stroker, it gives you a bit more power and drops right back in it also requires no other modifications from stock besides higher flowing injectors. And if that power isn't enough for you then you can always throw on a supercharger and have it tuned.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 864
Likes: 4
From: Arlington, Texas
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Any time I hear about someone wanting to do an engine swap, my first questions is "why?"
Unless you are building a huge rig with 35"+ tires and planning on King of the Hammers kinda wheeling, or you want your XJ to show off to the ricers and US muscle in stoplight drags, I just don't see the point. And in those cases the engine is just the start. For the time and money involved there are a ton of other improvements that can be made, to the 4.0 and elsewhere, that will have higher returns on investment.
It also doesn't help that most of the shadetree types don't stop and think about the vehicle as a system, and plan for all the interrelated issues. They'll put a huge motor in, but leave stock axle shafts. Or they put 33's on and don't re-gear, and then wonder why they have no off-the-line power. They cut and slice and cram 35's on there, and then leave the stock front a rear brakes and use cheap AutoZone tie rods and ball joints.
The 4.0 is quite adequate during normal street use. Once off-road, proper transfer case usage coupled with proper tire and gear combo (and driving skill) will get you through damn near anything. I've seen older 4 cylinder Toyota trucks (properly set up from soup to nuts) do amazing things with comparatively little power and torque.
I'd suggest forgetting an engine swap and the myriad of complications and considerations involved, and instead beef up axles, look at a gear change, and possibly doing an Atlas T-case, adapt a Rubicon 4:1 T-case, or something similar if you want more off-road grunt.
If you really must have more power, look at upgraded injectors, better exhaust, bored throttle body, and the like. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to squeeze an additional 30 HP out of the 4.0 with comparatively cheap bolt-ons. You could also go full-tilt and do the supercharger, which if IRC nets you an extra 90 HP.
Unless you are building a huge rig with 35"+ tires and planning on King of the Hammers kinda wheeling, or you want your XJ to show off to the ricers and US muscle in stoplight drags, I just don't see the point. And in those cases the engine is just the start. For the time and money involved there are a ton of other improvements that can be made, to the 4.0 and elsewhere, that will have higher returns on investment.
It also doesn't help that most of the shadetree types don't stop and think about the vehicle as a system, and plan for all the interrelated issues. They'll put a huge motor in, but leave stock axle shafts. Or they put 33's on and don't re-gear, and then wonder why they have no off-the-line power. They cut and slice and cram 35's on there, and then leave the stock front a rear brakes and use cheap AutoZone tie rods and ball joints.
The 4.0 is quite adequate during normal street use. Once off-road, proper transfer case usage coupled with proper tire and gear combo (and driving skill) will get you through damn near anything. I've seen older 4 cylinder Toyota trucks (properly set up from soup to nuts) do amazing things with comparatively little power and torque.
I'd suggest forgetting an engine swap and the myriad of complications and considerations involved, and instead beef up axles, look at a gear change, and possibly doing an Atlas T-case, adapt a Rubicon 4:1 T-case, or something similar if you want more off-road grunt.
If you really must have more power, look at upgraded injectors, better exhaust, bored throttle body, and the like. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to squeeze an additional 30 HP out of the 4.0 with comparatively cheap bolt-ons. You could also go full-tilt and do the supercharger, which if IRC nets you an extra 90 HP.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,104
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Any time I hear about someone wanting to do an engine swap, my first questions is "why?"
Unless you are building a huge rig with 35"+ tires and planning on King of the Hammers kinda wheeling, or you want your XJ to show off to the ricers and US muscle in stoplight drags, I just don't see the point. And in those cases the engine is just the start. For the time and money involved there are a ton of other improvements that can be made, to the 4.0 and elsewhere, that will have higher returns on investment.
It also doesn't help that most of the shadetree types don't stop and think about the vehicle as a system, and plan for all the interrelated issues. They'll put a huge motor in, but leave stock axle shafts. Or they put 33's on and don't re-gear, and then wonder why they have no off-the-line power. They cut and slice and cram 35's on there, and then leave the stock front a rear brakes and use cheap AutoZone tie rods and ball joints.
The 4.0 is quite adequate during normal street use. Once off-road, proper transfer case usage coupled with proper tire and gear combo (and driving skill) will get you through damn near anything. I've seen older 4 cylinder Toyota trucks (properly set up from soup to nuts) do amazing things with comparatively little power and torque.
I'd suggest forgetting an engine swap and the myriad of complications and considerations involved, and instead beef up axles, look at a gear change, and possibly doing an Atlas T-case, adapt a Rubicon 4:1 T-case, or something similar if you want more off-road grunt.
If you really must have more power, look at upgraded injectors, better exhaust, bored throttle body, and the like. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to squeeze an additional 30 HP out of the 4.0 with comparatively cheap bolt-ons. You could also go full-tilt and do the supercharger, which if IRC nets you an extra 90 HP.
Unless you are building a huge rig with 35"+ tires and planning on King of the Hammers kinda wheeling, or you want your XJ to show off to the ricers and US muscle in stoplight drags, I just don't see the point. And in those cases the engine is just the start. For the time and money involved there are a ton of other improvements that can be made, to the 4.0 and elsewhere, that will have higher returns on investment.
It also doesn't help that most of the shadetree types don't stop and think about the vehicle as a system, and plan for all the interrelated issues. They'll put a huge motor in, but leave stock axle shafts. Or they put 33's on and don't re-gear, and then wonder why they have no off-the-line power. They cut and slice and cram 35's on there, and then leave the stock front a rear brakes and use cheap AutoZone tie rods and ball joints.
The 4.0 is quite adequate during normal street use. Once off-road, proper transfer case usage coupled with proper tire and gear combo (and driving skill) will get you through damn near anything. I've seen older 4 cylinder Toyota trucks (properly set up from soup to nuts) do amazing things with comparatively little power and torque.
I'd suggest forgetting an engine swap and the myriad of complications and considerations involved, and instead beef up axles, look at a gear change, and possibly doing an Atlas T-case, adapt a Rubicon 4:1 T-case, or something similar if you want more off-road grunt.
If you really must have more power, look at upgraded injectors, better exhaust, bored throttle body, and the like. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to squeeze an additional 30 HP out of the 4.0 with comparatively cheap bolt-ons. You could also go full-tilt and do the supercharger, which if IRC nets you an extra 90 HP.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Beaverton, Oregon
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Any time I hear about someone wanting to do an engine swap, my first questions is "why?"
Unless you are building a huge rig with 35"+ tires and planning on King of the Hammers kinda wheeling, or you want your XJ to show off to the ricers and US muscle in stoplight drags, I just don't see the point. And in those cases the engine is just the start. For the time and money involved there are a ton of other improvements that can be made, to the 4.0 and elsewhere, that will have higher returns on investment.
It also doesn't help that most of the shadetree types don't stop and think about the vehicle as a system, and plan for all the interrelated issues. They'll put a huge motor in, but leave stock axle shafts. Or they put 33's on and don't re-gear, and then wonder why they have no off-the-line power. They cut and slice and cram 35's on there, and then leave the stock front a rear brakes and use cheap AutoZone tie rods and ball joints.
The 4.0 is quite adequate during normal street use. Once off-road, proper transfer case usage coupled with proper tire and gear combo (and driving skill) will get you through damn near anything. I've seen older 4 cylinder Toyota trucks (properly set up from soup to nuts) do amazing things with comparatively little power and torque.
I'd suggest forgetting an engine swap and the myriad of complications and considerations involved, and instead beef up axles, look at a gear change, and possibly doing an Atlas T-case, adapt a Rubicon 4:1 T-case, or something similar if you want more off-road grunt.
If you really must have more power, look at upgraded injectors, better exhaust, bored throttle body, and the like. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to squeeze an additional 30 HP out of the 4.0 with comparatively cheap bolt-ons. You could also go full-tilt and do the supercharger, which if IRC nets you an extra 90 HP.
Unless you are building a huge rig with 35"+ tires and planning on King of the Hammers kinda wheeling, or you want your XJ to show off to the ricers and US muscle in stoplight drags, I just don't see the point. And in those cases the engine is just the start. For the time and money involved there are a ton of other improvements that can be made, to the 4.0 and elsewhere, that will have higher returns on investment.
It also doesn't help that most of the shadetree types don't stop and think about the vehicle as a system, and plan for all the interrelated issues. They'll put a huge motor in, but leave stock axle shafts. Or they put 33's on and don't re-gear, and then wonder why they have no off-the-line power. They cut and slice and cram 35's on there, and then leave the stock front a rear brakes and use cheap AutoZone tie rods and ball joints.
The 4.0 is quite adequate during normal street use. Once off-road, proper transfer case usage coupled with proper tire and gear combo (and driving skill) will get you through damn near anything. I've seen older 4 cylinder Toyota trucks (properly set up from soup to nuts) do amazing things with comparatively little power and torque.
I'd suggest forgetting an engine swap and the myriad of complications and considerations involved, and instead beef up axles, look at a gear change, and possibly doing an Atlas T-case, adapt a Rubicon 4:1 T-case, or something similar if you want more off-road grunt.
If you really must have more power, look at upgraded injectors, better exhaust, bored throttle body, and the like. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to squeeze an additional 30 HP out of the 4.0 with comparatively cheap bolt-ons. You could also go full-tilt and do the supercharger, which if IRC nets you an extra 90 HP.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 3
From: Hudsonville, MI
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 5.0
Not everyone wants to be average. If the engine is toast and you want to upgrade, go for it. There will be people crying that your tearing the heart out of it. You're putting a stronger one in it's place. An LS would be an excellent choice. A lot of aftermarket support which you might only have for a couple engines.
Swap away.
Swap away.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 14,553
Likes: 1
From: Carrollton, GA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0L High Output
Any time I hear about someone wanting to do an engine swap, my first questions is "why?"
Unless you are building a huge rig with 35"+ tires and planning on King of the Hammers kinda wheeling, or you want your XJ to show off to the ricers and US muscle in stoplight drags, I just don't see the point. And in those cases the engine is just the start. For the time and money involved there are a ton of other improvements that can be made, to the 4.0 and elsewhere, that will have higher returns on investment.
It also doesn't help that most of the shadetree types don't stop and think about the vehicle as a system, and plan for all the interrelated issues. They'll put a huge motor in, but leave stock axle shafts. Or they put 33's on and don't re-gear, and then wonder why they have no off-the-line power. They cut and slice and cram 35's on there, and then leave the stock front a rear brakes and use cheap AutoZone tie rods and ball joints.
The 4.0 is quite adequate during normal street use. Once off-road, proper transfer case usage coupled with proper tire and gear combo (and driving skill) will get you through damn near anything. I've seen older 4 cylinder Toyota trucks (properly set up from soup to nuts) do amazing things with comparatively little power and torque.
I'd suggest forgetting an engine swap and the myriad of complications and considerations involved, and instead beef up axles, look at a gear change, and possibly doing an Atlas T-case, adapt a Rubicon 4:1 T-case, or something similar if you want more off-road grunt.
If you really must have more power, look at upgraded injectors, better exhaust, bored throttle body, and the like. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to squeeze an additional 30 HP out of the 4.0 with comparatively cheap bolt-ons. You could also go full-tilt and do the supercharger, which if IRC nets you an extra 90 HP.
Unless you are building a huge rig with 35"+ tires and planning on King of the Hammers kinda wheeling, or you want your XJ to show off to the ricers and US muscle in stoplight drags, I just don't see the point. And in those cases the engine is just the start. For the time and money involved there are a ton of other improvements that can be made, to the 4.0 and elsewhere, that will have higher returns on investment.
It also doesn't help that most of the shadetree types don't stop and think about the vehicle as a system, and plan for all the interrelated issues. They'll put a huge motor in, but leave stock axle shafts. Or they put 33's on and don't re-gear, and then wonder why they have no off-the-line power. They cut and slice and cram 35's on there, and then leave the stock front a rear brakes and use cheap AutoZone tie rods and ball joints.
The 4.0 is quite adequate during normal street use. Once off-road, proper transfer case usage coupled with proper tire and gear combo (and driving skill) will get you through damn near anything. I've seen older 4 cylinder Toyota trucks (properly set up from soup to nuts) do amazing things with comparatively little power and torque.
I'd suggest forgetting an engine swap and the myriad of complications and considerations involved, and instead beef up axles, look at a gear change, and possibly doing an Atlas T-case, adapt a Rubicon 4:1 T-case, or something similar if you want more off-road grunt.
If you really must have more power, look at upgraded injectors, better exhaust, bored throttle body, and the like. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to squeeze an additional 30 HP out of the 4.0 with comparatively cheap bolt-ons. You could also go full-tilt and do the supercharger, which if IRC nets you an extra 90 HP.
If anyone does an engine swap and intends to wheel it, serious frame plating is needed. All 3 dimensions and some good cross bracing.
Here is some motivation for a good swap:
I have seen this in person and is probably one of the cleanest Jeep mods I have ever seen.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...72676100,d.b2U
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: New Vineyard, Maine
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L for now.
Maybe I should of been more clear on the why. My jeep runs very well and love the 4.0. The reason for swap is I wanted a base I could get roughly 500+ HP out of for sand drags, mud racing, and the occasional given butt hurt to a Honda. The reason for sticking with a 6 cylinder is I can run class 1 at my local tracks which is 4&6 cyl vehicles up yo 34" tires. Now. If I went Ls, I would not be able to run class 1. But. There again. An LS could be an option. I don't rock crawl. I barely trail ride, so top end is more what I am looking for. so for all the hurts feelings and yelling everyone did to one another. Just was kind of a what if question more than anything.
CF ADMIN
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34,088
Likes: 257
From: Lantana, Fl
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
It's your rig, do as you like. You can ask 4.3Xj about his build/swap for advice either here or on NAXJA. As for power. You can buy a direct bolt in 4.7 Stroker motor with 275hp and bolt a few extra pieces to it like headers and intake and have money to spare for stuff like gears, suspension, etc...
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,567
Likes: 20
From: ☼ Blackhole Sun
Year: My Jeep is a GMC
Maybe I should of been more clear on the why. My jeep runs very well and love the 4.0. The reason for swap is I wanted a base I could get roughly 500+ HP out of for sand drags, mud racing, and the occasional given butt hurt to a Honda. The reason for sticking with a 6 cylinder is I can run class 1 at my local tracks which is 4&6 cyl vehicles up yo 34" tires. Now. If I went Ls, I would not be able to run class 1. But. There again. An LS could be an option. I don't rock crawl. I barely trail ride, so top end is more what I am looking for. so for all the hurts feelings and yelling everyone did to one another. Just was kind of a what if question more than anything.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,648
Likes: 4
Model: Cherokee
Maybe I should of been more clear on the why. My jeep runs very well and love the 4.0. The reason for swap is I wanted a base I could get roughly 500+ HP out of for sand drags, mud racing, and the occasional given butt hurt to a Honda. The reason for sticking with a 6 cylinder is I can run class 1 at my local tracks which is 4&6 cyl vehicles up yo 34" tires. Now. If I went Ls, I would not be able to run class 1. But. There again. An LS could be an option. I don't rock crawl. I barely trail ride, so top end is more what I am looking for. so for all the hurts feelings and yelling everyone did to one another. Just was kind of a what if question more than anything.
Last edited by mr white; Aug 16, 2014 at 12:30 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,KY
Model: Cherokee
Since you want to stay 6 cylinder i have a crazy idea for you.Gmc made a big v6 in the 60s from a 305 up to a 478.The 478 made 254hp but 442 foot pounds at 1400 rpm.The sucky part they are heavy and have no aftermarket.If your looking for max power and can run power adders see how hard it is to run a gm 3800 supercharged rwd.Or ford 3.8 supercharged both engines have a big aftermarket.
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