93 cherokee engine swap

yea...I'm looking to perform an engine swap. I am leaning more towards a chevy small block...but I'd rather just get anything that has 250+hp and that'll fit in my jeep. I'm trying to look around for rebuilt engines, because brand new engines are a bit out of my price range...anyone know of the best type of engine that'll fit? And if so...do you know of any websites I can check some out on?

Danielle

the older cherokees had an optional Buick 350 in them. I see them in the socal yards every now and again. You can tell it's the Buick 350 because the distrib. is in the front of the engine...I would assume that a chevy 350 would fit in there as well since they had simialr footprints. Go to the yards and check for the older cherokees. Most people leave those engines alone because they are not bow-ties...anyway if you find one you should be able to see the layout and get all the parts you need like the mounts, tranny, radiator, etc, etc...good luck!

the older cherokees had an optional Buick 350 in them. I see them in the socal yards every now and again. You can tell it's the Buick 350 because the distrib. is in the front of the engine...I would assume that a chevy 350 would fit in there as well since they had simialr footprints. Go to the yards and check for the older cherokees. Most people leave those engines alone because they are not bow-ties...anyway if you find one you should be able to see the layout and get all the parts you need like the mounts, tranny, radiator, etc, etc...good luck!
Those are Jeep Commandos from the late 1960's, which came with AMC manufactuered versions of the GM 231 (3.8 liter) V6 engines. Buick V8 engines were only installed on an aftermarket basis. They are completely different from the Cherokee, so any information about them is irrelevant.

For the Chrerokee........any kind of engine swap is difficult. The transmission bolt pattern will only accept AMC/Jeep engines. If you put in another AMC engine like a V8, you run into major hassles regarding engine mounts, intake, exhaust, electrical, fuel and cooling systems. Its possible but very expensive.
If you want a Chevy V8, be prepared to swap the entire engine, transmission, transfer case and use custom made drive shafts.
I would suggest the transmission and transfer case from a Chevy S10 4x4 that came with a 4.3 V6. A chevy 350 will bolt up. But then you have all the same expensive fabrication issues outlined above.

The only affordable, easy way to get a significant boost in power is a stroker kit. The 4 liter engine can be rebuilt to boost displacement to 4.5, and I think, even 4.9 liters.

Buick V8 engines were only installed on an aftermarket basis.

If thats the case then SoCal was the capital of aftermarket as I've seen probably a dozen of these in the yards out here over the past six months...

well if I did get a new engine, I was planning on getting a new transmission along with it...more likely a used, but in good condition transmission. the exhaust is no problem also because no matter what I was planning on getting dual exhaust...
and about the stroker kit...would it be a waste of time to put it in the engine when its got 156,000+ miles on it?

If thats the case then SoCal was the capital of aftermarket as I've seen probably a dozen of these in the yards out here over the past six months...
Somewhere I have some magazine articles on these Commandos. I dont recall a 350 V8 option being offered. I could be wrong, though

well if I did get a new engine, I was planning on getting a new transmission along with it...more likely a used, but in good condition transmission. the exhaust is no problem also because no matter what I was planning on getting dual exhaust...
and about the stroker kit...would it be a waste of time to put it in the engine when its got 156,000+ miles on it?
Any kind of a stroker kit would require an engine rebuild, with a new crank, bearings, pistons, rings etc. At the same time, a new higher power camshaft would help a lot, too.

As for the V8 conversion, the problem here is not the engine or transmission. The problem is the significant amount of custom engineering and fabrication required to get the engine and transmission to fit safely and work properly. I speak from experience, this kind of work is expensive and its difficult to do properly. You would shell out lots of money and have lots of problems to cope with as the work is being done. Do you have a minimum of $6000 to 10,000 for the parts and work?
If you MUST have a v8, its cheaper to sell your Chrokee and get a used V8 Grand Cherokee, or buy something that is a lot easier to convert, such as a Chevy Blazer with a 4.3 L V6.

I don't NEED a v8 engine...I just want something a bit stronger and in better condition than mine is right now. with the amount of driving that I do, I just think my car would do alot better and not get so many problems if I just got a new engine. I would sell my jeep, but by the prices of other vehicles that are being sold out here, the money wouldn't be enough for a stronger car, and anyways...I'm beginning to like my turquoise torpedo heh...I figured everyone gets their blazers and everything fixed up all nice and hot-rod-like..why not do it to a jeep? I haven't really seen many jeeps that Aren't with lift kits and mudding tires...figured I'd be different :-/ Even if it is a pain heh

good luck with the swap. MagicRat is right the v8 swap in cherokee is big bucks and lots of time. people norm. sell their jeep in the middle cause they can't spend anymore money you would be looking at 5000 to 10,000 grand maybe more all in how well you can fab but if you really want to the chevy 350 is the best to do oh and then you still have to beef your drivetrain not many people have that much cash in their bank.. so i say build it with a stroker that too will cost more than you want also i'm sure your jeep, your call!

Where can I get info on the stroker kit you all were talking about. I have a 00' Xj with 90+K, and want to get more power out of it. already have Magna Flow muffler, K&N Filter charger, Bosch platnuim plugs. Any other ideas, was thinking about a chip from JET.

Where can I get info on the stroker kit you all were talking about. I have a 00' Xj with 90+K, and want to get more power out of it. already have Magna Flow muffler, K&N Filter charger, Bosch platnuim plugs. Any other ideas, was thinking about a chip from JET.
go to the Cherokee forum in jeepsunlimited,com
They have literally, a thousand threads on power issues in the Chrokee.

stroker is great but more power means more things break! if you go stroker be ready to spend more money... there is a cheap way to get the stroker with parts from the 4.2 and injectors from a ford 5.0 (read more about it) but most people are happy with just a reg engine rebuild (bring the true power of the 4.0 back. over time things get old and power goes down hill) oh and lose the bosch plugs!

Why do you say loose the plugs? I've had them for some time and never had a problem. Is there a better plug?

myself i feel bosch suck but some of people like them i think they cause a loss of power (that i can feel) don't last as long and every car/truck i've put them in became cold natured.. anyway if you like them, cool!

http://www.acdelco.com/html/pi_plugs_rap_reason.htm

i use these you should try them once to see what you

think..http://www.acdelco.com/html/pi_plugs_rap_study.htm