Jeep CJ GM motor swap?

[offgrid]

Have a 1978 Jeep CJ7 with a tired factory V8. Considering a GM motor swap.......

Anyone have experience with this?

Thanks

[68Charger]

Cummins 4BT... do it right

[meatman]

Pretty straight forward, they sell an adapter for a lot of different options. You'll need engine mounts and probably a bellhousing/transmision adapter depending on what drivetrain you'll be using. And you'll have to change the radiator out.

Some info here:
http://www.advanceadapters.com/tech-vault/1-1941-79-general-engine-conversion-info/

[BushMasterBoy]

I have never done it. Most of the ones I have seen involve a small block chevy with an auto trans. I think it is a rich mans game. I would go with a refreshed 304! Good luck!

[offgrid]

Cummins 4BT... do it right

Not interested in wearing ear-pro while I'm driving. Although it could come in handy if some punk tried to Jeep jack me!
A diesel conversion would be cool and expensive. I would look at the Cummins 2.8T crate motor or a VW TDI.

[offgrid]

Pretty straight forward, they sell an adapter for a lot of different options. You'll need engine mounts and probably a bellhousing/transmision adapter depending on what drivetrain you'll be using. And you'll have to change the radiator out.

Some info here:
http://www.advanceadapters.com/tech-vault/1-1941-79-general-engine-conversion-info/

I've looked at their sire as well as Novak's. All looks simple enough. I'll do the work myself. Hoping someone here has done a conversion.

[offgrid]

I have never done it. Most of the ones I have seen involve a small block chevy with an auto trans. I think it is a rich mans game. I would go with a refreshed 304! Good luck!


Thought about having the 304 re-built... Want to get away from the carburetor.

[Erni]

Rebuild and slap a tbi unit on there.

[hurley842002]

or a VW TDI.

A gentleman on a Nissan Xterra forum I'm a member of did a VW TDI swap on his second gen Xterra, said he was squeezing out 38 to 40 mpg, and 750+ miles to a tank, now THAT would be nice.

[meatman]

Thought about having the 304 re-built... Want to get away from the carburetor.


You could install a Howell TBI for around $1200. Might be more cost effective than adapters.

What transmission are you running?

[BPTactical]

Thought about having the 304 re-built... Want to get away from the carburetor.

I had a 79 CJ-7 and I thought the same thing.
Don't do it, the AMC engines have weak rods and a crappy oiling system. They are pricey to build and iffy on sucess.
GM small block swap isn't that expensive and there is plenty of aftermarket support for the swap.
I will second the notion of swapping in a later model I6 with fuel injection. Torquey and tough engines.
I will look at home, I think I have some good reference on the CJ's and building them up-if I still have them they are yours.

[offgrid]

You could install a Howell TBI for around $1200. Might be more cost effective than adapters.

What transmission are you running?

T150 transmission, Dana 20 transfer case.

My brother in law has a AX15 transmission and Dana 300 transfer case I can have for free.

[offgrid]

I had a 79 CJ-7 and I thought the same thing.
Don't do it, the AMC engines have weak rods and a crappy oiling system. They are pricey to build and iffy on sucess.
GM small block swap isn't that expensive and there is plenty of aftermarket support for the swap.
I will second the notion of swapping in a later model I6 with fuel injection. Torquey and tough engines.
I will look at home, I think I have some good reference on the CJ's and building them up-if I still have them they are yours.

Thanks

[GilpinGuy]

I traded in a '95 Grand with an I6 with 498,000 miles on it. It was tired, but it kept going. Awesome motor. Had I6's in 4 different Jeeps. No big problems ever and did fine for me on the trail.

[MarkCO]

HellCrate FTW.

http://www.motortrend.com/news/dodge-hellcat-crate-engine/

[mindfold]

I have an LS1 in my YJ. Did majority of the work myself. Had some help with the wiring in the beginning. Now I am pretty knowledgeable on that as well.


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[BushMasterBoy]

Summit racing has I-beam rods and fancy oil pumps. A Holley off road carb is EMP proof. I like manual chokes on my trucks. The simplest solution is usually the best.

[meatman]

T150 transmission, Dana 20 transfer case.

My brother in law has a AX15 transmission and Dana 300 transfer case I can have for free.

The T150/D20 combo will hold up to a 350 fine, but the gearing is pretty poor on that 3 speed if you want to do any off-roading. The AX-15 is a decent transmission, but I've only run one behind a 4.0 I-6 on my old XJ. I'm not sure of the durability behind a 350. The D300 is a great transfer case and will hold up well.

The weakest link in your drivetrain will be the AMC20 rear with the 2pc axle, assuming it's currently stock. You're going to want to either upgrade it with either 1 pc axles or a stronger rear end like a Dana 44.

[Gman]

I have an LS1 in my YJ.
Now you're talkin'.

[Jimmy]

I ran a SBC/SM465/D300 combo in a CJ. LOVED the granny low gear for offroading, as it would idle over most obstacles. I ran a Quadrajet carb which were (are?) known for being great carbs for off-camber operation. HEI distributor, too; I suspect I had it modded with a faster mechanical advance kit and adjustable vacuum advance (something I did to most HEIs I had). It's been over 10 years since I sold it, so the memory is a bit fuzzy on it.

My biggest issue with my set-up was the clutch. An 11" inch diaphragm clutch setup just did not hold up to the abuse. I went to a 12" Borg-n-Beck style and it was awesome. I never tried an expensive/high-end clutch setup... I had more time than money in those days.

[Ah Pook]

I traded in a '95 Grand with an I6 with 498,000 miles on it. It was tired, but it kept going. Awesome https://www.ar-15.co/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=2099499motor. Had I6's in 4 different Jeeps. No big problems ever and did fine for me on the trail.

Have 230K on mine and still happy. [Beer] It just goes...and hard.

Just to be exotic, a Mercedes diesel has always interested me. Probably nothing would fit but I like that motor!

Saw an electric Rover on the slick rock a few years ago. Didn't hear anything but tire chirp. Kewl!!

Sorry but nothing from GM has ever interested me.

[Ah Pook]

I ran a SBC/SM465/D300 combo in a CJ. LOVED the granny low gear for offroading, as it would idle over most obstacles. I ran a Quadrajet carb which were (are?) known for being great carbs for off-camber operation. HEI distributor, too; I suspect I had it modded with a faster mechanical advance kit and adjustable vacuum advance (something I did to most HEIs I had). It's been over 10 years since I sold it, so the memory is a bit fuzzy on it.

My biggest issue with my set-up was the clutch. An 11" inch diaphragm clutch setup just did not hold up to the abuse. I went to a 12" Borg-n-Beck style and it was awesome. I never tried an expensive/high-end clutch setup... I had more time than money in those days.

Sounds fun!

Dropped a Pertronix Ignitor in the dist of an IH 266. That and a Terra low in the T'case and it would go anywhere.

Set up a Q'jet on an IH 345. Dropped in a Pertronix Ignitor in the dist and hauled azz all over the place. Cruised at 85+ all day long.

I won't get into gearing, trannys, trans, clutch diameter... Let's just say GM is not the G spot of the moto world if you want to play around.

[Zundfolge]

Just to be exotic, a Mercedes diesel has always interested me. Probably nothing would fit but I like that motor!

There are conversion kits available http://www.mercedesdiesel4x4.com/

As someone who was once a mechanic in a shop that specialized in German cars (imagine that, someone named Zundfolge even :p ) I love the old oil burning Mercs.

[Erni]

I drove a 300D with the 5 cylinder engine. If 0 to 60 in the 20 second plus range is your thing then go for it.
[emoji83]

[Zundfolge]

I drove a 300D with the 5 cylinder engine. If 0 to 60 in the 20 second plus range is your thing then go for it.
[emoji83]

True, but the torque of the thing will allow you to drive virtually up a straight wall on idle and get 30+ mpg ... and if you want, run it on french fry oil.

[.455_Hunter]

How may miles on the 304 now?

[offgrid]

I drove a 300D with the 5 cylinder engine. If 0 to 60 in the 20 second plus range is your thing then go for it.
[emoji83]

At my altitude, 9500', guessing 0-60 after awhile!

[offgrid]

How may miles on the 304 now?

Don't know.

[offgrid]

I have an LS1 in my YJ. Did majority of the work myself. Had some help with the wiring in the beginning. Now I am pretty knowledgeable on that as well.


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Reprogram your computer yourself, local shop...?

Thanks, Kevin