Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Engine swap ideas

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Or there's this

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Nice little weight summary

You'll be replacing one of three factory engines. Their nominal estimated, accessory loaded weights are:

  • 2.8L V6, 365 lbs.
  • 2.5L I4, 340 lbs.
  • 4.0L I6, 515 lbs.
Engines you may replace these with may include:

 
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That's my thoughts. Size the housing right, cool it and keep the psi reasonable.

I want to finish building my shop and get a TIG rig...I think it would be cool to build a custom intake/exhaust manifold that mounts a turbo in the existing space. Seems like a ton of real estate wasted in there. No offense to any turbo kits out there...all they do is address the exhaust side.

-Mac
 
I’ve been reading a lot about swapping an engine and I’ve asked a lot of people about swapping an engine. Some people tell me to go all out and swap a 5.7 Hemi into my wrangler and others tell me to put a 4bt in my wrangler, even going as far as to say a kubota and I’m just wondering what you all have to say I’m open to pretty much all ideas this wrangler is my daily except for when I’m doing the swap of course so I’d ask to remember that.

A few comments:

Because my 4.0 was losing oil pressure, I considered a V8 swap but ended up with a stroker for simplicity. In retrospect, its been good. I daily my Jeep and enjoy rocks. V8 swaps are cool but complicated and prone to overheating on the trail for some. Also, in the short wheel base TJ with stock axles, an LS or hemi is just too much power to use, IMO (plenty will disagree here). The stroker has 25% more power and torque than the 4.0 which doesn't knock your socks off but is nice bump. Lastly, I really wouldn't rec a 4BT. I have a 4BT swapped into an old GMC chassis cab truck with an NV4500. I use it as a water truck during fire season and a back up for general truck stuff the rest of the year. It works very well for my needs. Its also the best demonstration of the diff between HP (very little) and torque (gobs) I've ever driven. For a TJ, the torque would be great, but you can get that with gearing and the HP would actually be less. The down sides are weight (700#) which will screw up performance both on and off road and its very, very loud and not just a little smoky.

Having said all of that, if fun to modify Jeeps so do whatever sounds good to you and re-do it if you don't like it:)
 
A few comments:

Because my 4.0 was losing oil pressure, I considered a V8 swap but ended up with a stroker for simplicity. In retrospect, its been good. I daily my Jeep and enjoy rocks. V8 swaps are cool but complicated and prone to overheating on the trail for some. Also, in the short wheel base TJ with stock axles, an LS or hemi is just too much power to use, IMO (plenty will disagree here). The stroker has 25% more power and torque than the 4.0 which doesn't knock your socks off but is nice bump. Lastly, I really wouldn't rec a 4BT. I have a 4BT swapped into an old GMC chassis cab truck with an NV4500. I use it as a water truck during fire season and a back up for general truck stuff the rest of the year. It works very well for my needs. Its also the best demonstration of the diff between HP (very little) and torque (gobs) I've ever driven. For a TJ, the torque would be great, but you can get that with gearing and the HP would actually be less. The down sides are weight (700#) which will screw up performance both on and off road and its very, very loud and not just a little smoky.

Having said all of that, if fun to modify Jeeps so do whatever sounds good to you and re-do it if you don't like it:)

You mention simplicity. My 4.0L is tired. I am familiar with the 4.3L over the decades. I just sitting thinking, that the swap would different. Novak and others make it possible. I could keep my NV3500 transmission.
 
You mention simplicity. My 4.0L is tired. I am familiar with the 4.3L over the decades. I just sitting thinking, that the swap would different. Novak and others make it possible. I could keep my NV3500 transmission.

It's not simple but would be different.
 
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https://swaptheuniverse.com/product/godzilla-7-3l-10r80-swap-kit-430hp-475ftlb/

The Godzilla is narrower and taller than a Coyote. I actually think it would be a pretty straightforward install.

430 HP stock, but can easily do 800-1100 HP with a pair of turbochargers. It's a truck engine, so in stock form you should get 150,000+ miles out of it.

Normally it is equipped with the 10R140 transmission, but it also works with the smaller 10R80, as long as you keep the GCWR below around 20,000 lbs
 
If I were a Bowtie fan I would agree with Blaine's idea of running the Atlas 4200 (LL8). It is an inline so packaging would be less of an issue and has pretty decent specs.

Since I am not and I have a 98 I will most likely do an Explorer 5.0 with aluminum heads and a warmed up cam. Unless I win the lottery or something then it would be probably be the 6.8 Minizilla.
 
If I were a Bowtie fan I would agree with Blaine's idea of running the Atlas 4200 (LL8). It is an inline so packaging would be less of an issue and has pretty decent specs.

Since I am not and I have a 98 I will most likely do an Explorer 5.0 with aluminum heads and a warmed up cam. Unless I win the lottery or something then it would be probably be the 6.8 Minizilla.

I gonna have to google the atlas 4200 LL8.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator