Yes I did a search, didn't come up with anything helpful...I have the AW4 auto tranny, just wondering if a 318 from a ZJ might possibly bolt up to my tranny? Looking into an engine swap this summer, and if its not too much trouble, want to go with a 318 if possible. If not i'll just stick with the 4.0. Any help appreciated

AW 4 will not bolt up to 318. 727 will. I think that the heads on the 318 are a little wide to be shoehorning it into the XJ engine compartment. Stroke that 4.0, you can get 300 HP pretty easily. Course, then you gotta deal with the cooling issues.

SeanP

well, my engine now is not in the greatest shape, and i don't really have the money for a rebuild right now, so i was looking at something i could just drop in without too much trouble, so i'll probably just stick with a low mileage 4.0 if i can find one and then stroke it later on when i finish with the suspension and all. thanks for the reply though.

I've seen 1 XJ with a 318 Mopar engine in it. It also had an NV4500 and a different t-case of some sort. I would not go with this swap. The 5.2 is large engine for the XJ which will creat cooling and clearance problems. If your going V8 swap, go with a Ford or GM motor. They work very well off-road and you can get just about an part in the world for them. If you are a diehard Jeeper and must have a Chrysler motor, check out the 4.7 V8. It is a far better enigne. I would build a 4.6-4.9 stroker out of the 4.0 It bolts in and makes awesome torque and generous horsepower, plus it's a bolt in!

well if i get a stroker kit, then would that be the same as rebuilding my engine? cause as far as i knew, it just uses a different crank and rods and the heads are bored out? not sure, i really don't know about the stroker kit, any help would be appreciated.

Check out the speed freaks/stroker forum on JU. My advice to you is to find a high milage HO 4.0 and rebuild it on your own schedule while you still drive around in yours. You should be able to do the whole thing for about $2K. Just make sure that the engine you are buying doesn't have block or head (warped) issues. Would be great to find a rolled 94 and pick up the engine for $500.

SeanP

I'm with Sean. Trash the plans for a 318 because the cost is going and aggrevation aren't worth the gains (?) Think about what the 4.0 gives you. Excellent torque and HP considering the size and weight. Of course, it is fuel injected and runs at angles no problem, and runs damn near forever with routine maintenance.

Take a look at the 4.6L (.030 bore) stroker kit that Mike at Accurate Power (http://www.accuratepower.com) sells. For the price, you really can't beat that kind of performance gain. The best part is, the performance gain is right where you want it for wheeling, low end torque. As mike claims, an added 100 ft lbs of torque and 60-75hp

At least, that is what I would do anyway :D

Im considering aon old ford 260cid with 135Degree* design....sweet little motor and about 6" shorter than 4.0....had one in a 64 ranchero...great low end torgue and quick response

Really Brian, what's the output on those things?

jeepxjga, glad to see that someone else is also considering the 318 swap. Most all of my previous mopars had the 318, and I was very impressed with the performance, and the mileage wasn't bad either. I'd say, if your dream is to drop in a 318 into your XJ, then go for it. Just do all the research and planning before hand. Try to forsee all that will be needed, and take the measurements. Remember to figure in the costs of a tranny, possibly the T-case and the driveshafts as well.
Good luck>

Brian, that would be a cool swap. You gonna guinea pig it for us?

How are my sliders coming? I just finished my steering and my next project is going to be more armour and getting rid of those C4x4 sliders.

SeanP

well, i'm just a poor college student for the time being, so i was looking at something that i could just drop in. i had heard that the 318 would bolt right up to the aw4 but it doesn't, so i'm just gonna stick with the 4.0 for now. but in the future (after college of course) i will probably look at swapping in a 318 just for kicks and something to do. but anyway, thanks for all the info, and thanks for the info on the stroker kits too.

I have thought of this also, since my jeep has nearlly 200k I was thinking about a low mileage zj drivetrain swap, 318, tranny and t-case, it might be the easiest way to go, should be fairly similar.