Engine Swap Forum

I have a 1987 jeep wagoneer limited, the current engine is an I6 with 203,000 miles on it. Does anyone know of a V8 engine that would swap easily with the existing tranny, or do I have to replace that as well. I would prefer an 8 but a 6 with more horsepower will suffice. The current most likely needs rebuilt, Id rather swap. If anyone knows some info or where to find info let me know, thanks.

I have an 87 wrangler,  I put in EFI from a 94 4.0.  runs much much better. 

 

If you really want to swap one, you should look at an engine from a cherokee, or a liberty.  you want to stay earlier than 2003 so you can be in the OBDII or OBDI  era to keep the wiring easier.  You'll need the engine tranny and xfer case, you'll need the wiring harnesses, ECU and BCU all from the same vehicle.  

it's a lot of work, but may be worth it. depending on what you want to use it for. I'd just recommend  EFI'ing your existing engine.  if you're around NM, I have a free 4.2L engine it's just been sitting...

Phar

www.projectjeep.com

 

It depends on what transmission you have, if your car is automatic (torqueflite 999) you may look up for small chrysler v-8, I,ve done this swap on my 82 cj-7, here is what I did, I found an auto transmission outher shell small block chysler bolt patern, they call this trans 904, internally is the same as the jeep 999, well since you can not change bell housing you have to empty the components from the jeep transmission and use them to built the dodge 904 the reason for this is to get the 23 spline output shaft and the adaptor to the transfer case everything else is the same, you will have to get a new flexplate for the engine as well as a new torqueconverter, the starter gear on the dodge automatics rides on the torque converter instead of the flywheel for the jeep, you will need a new dodge starter and a long starter cable because the batery is on the right side of the car and the new dodge stater will be on the left while you are at it might as well refresh the transmission with new clutch discs and of course seals, once you are done it will bolt right up behind any chrysler small block LA engine or the new Magnum engines including the new generation Hemis and the V10, you will need to fabricate the motor mounts for the jeep frame, have the radiator get a larger core (4row if brass rad) recomended and swap the water hoses to oposite sides (you may look up a radiator conversion for your wrangler on ebay, get the chevy conversion (has the same water hose patern as the small block dodge) I  got an all aluminium 2 row core radiator with serpentine for the auto trans cooling for 200$, engine runs right at thermostat opening temperature (160Fº) even with the ac on and we have temperatures between 86 and 101º degres here at noon time. Once you get the trans done your choice of engine is a broadone as well as the buildup, EFI, carb, Hemi,V-10. To ssemble set up your transfercase, transmission and driveshafts first in order to avoid complications on the transmission support so it will rest on the same place, the transfer hangs from the transmission so the driveshafts will remain the same no need for leght or shorten, then bolt up the engine to the transmission, the distribuitor on the LA engines will be close to the firewall but will clear fine, once you have it in possition take the measurements for the motor mounts ( I recomend using stock jeep CJ inline motor mounts bolting then to truck or van engine supports and the fabricated frame supports), get the chevy conversion radiator, hook up the hoses, even the power steering pressure and return hoses fit right on.You will enjoy the kick in the pants acceleration once  you are done.
An other route is to get a 4.0 from a cherokee or wranger, wiring harness, computer,fuel tank (for the pump) and use your Crank shaft and connecting rods and build an stroker, check jeep strokers in the net, it will require lager fuel injectors, a bigger cam shaft, ofcourse new pistoms and you will also need to have the crank shaf shortened so the 4.0 damper will aling the belt with the acesories since those are driven off the damper, you will get torque and horsepower figures that some stock carburated V-8s will envy. With this approach no fabrication of motor mounts will be needed but you will still have to get a larger radiator to handle the extra heat from the extra horses

Forgot to mention if you go for the stroker you will have to notch your jeep stock bell housing in order to clear the Crank Position Sensor used on the I6 efi engine. Good luck