Jeepjunky

so long story short, i plan on gettin a early 90s W150 parts truck in a while thats all complete for a fairly good price. its got a 318 and 4wd. im mainly wondering if it will fit, what good tranny options are for it, and if a jeep 231 tcase will work with the dodge trans

bubbarules1958

318s are junk. Dodge's weakest link. If you want a Dodge engine get a slant 6.

mdo817

They can be built, but building Mopars is not cheap, 727TF for the tranny

aka"dude"

Do you guys even Mopar bro? I have a mild 318 thats over 300hp that I built for less than $800. The only reason that 318's sucked was that they had almost no compression, a cam that seemed to accidentally open the valves, and pea shooter exhaust. Give it some squeeze and let it breath and they can be a great little motor. The wagoneer's had torque flights a t case from one of those should do. If I was going to to a V8 swap it would be a LA or Magnum Mopar.

bubbarules1958

Nope its garbage. Just like the Chevy 305. Junk

mdo817

Not in a long time man, last dealings I had building one was in the 80's, in a Dart, damn what a sleeper car. I love the 318's and the 340's. In the day SBC's were built for half the money. Can't afford a hot rod hobby, gun hobby, boating hobby, and Jeeps. Hot rods lost out since going fast cost in more ways than one.

bubbarules1958

Hot Rods and Harleys consumed most of my life. What a rush. Now I got and XJ.

aka"dude"

Gotta stay with what you know then.
Yeah I'm in the same boat My duster has gotten tossed aside as the kids and wife enjoy the Jeep much more than an old smelly muscle car that scares them when I drive it. Most people praise the 340, but is the same motor as a 318 just with a larger bore and some factory go fast parts. The Chrysler stuff has come along way and isn't crazy money anymore. If you know a machine shop that knows Mopars that helps a bunch on $$ too.

SeriousOffroad

318's have always been known as The Gutless Wonder.

The aftermarket support is marginal at best.
The motor is wide and will be tough to shoe-horn into an XJ.

Ya might not life GM motors, but the facts speek for themselves. There is simply more options and virtually unlimited aftermarket support for almost every GM V8 ever made...even the lowly 305 Cubic-Inch Boat Anchor.

bubbarules1958

GMs are the best in my book. Pre 1980
Cadillac engines are the best of the best.

mdo817

A friend ran a Northstar in his Juggy, know one could ever get it right or reliable, finally pulled it for a LS engine.

bubbarules1958

Northstars were garbage. Total design flaw with the heads.

mdo817

I know nothing about them, but from what I saw, I will agree

Jeepjunky

well this motor is goin to be laying around my shop at one point or another so i might as well use it. now will a np231 fit on the 727tf because im planning on a 231/300 doubler and the 300 might get 4:1 gears. and i got a HPd44/9in for axles and plan on 37s

SeriousOffroad

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/xj_swap.htm