Well, the other engine post (360 vs 350) is getting a little hot under the keyboard, so I thought I'd change it up a little.

Since installing a 5.9 is out the window now, I've got the swap narrowed down to the 5.0 L 302 or the SBC 350.

Pros and cons of swapping either fuel injected (multiport) engine into a 1990 Jeep Wrangler that will have: dana 44, dana 60, nv4500, and an atlas 2.

So, how do these two boil down when you look at HP, torque, available parts, ease of installation, maintenece, and gas mileage(yes, don't laugh. I have to get it to the trails some how).

The Jeep is both my DD and rockcrawler. I had a 4.0 L that was built by Clifford that put out impressive #'s for the 4.0. Since the fire, I have no engine parts or any wires, so the new engine and cockpit harness will have to be complete.

What brand of gauges do you recommend running? Manual or electric?

(I read the thread on the TOW on the 5.0's already.)

Please help me rebuild! I want teach these punks a lesson about Jeeps and Jeep people!

I am gonna go 302. But my only reasoning is I already have a t18 to bolt to it easily, and there is already a SBC in our group :p Really though, its 6 to 1 and half dozen to the other in my opinion. Both are readily available, both make plenty or HP and torque, and both have lots of aftermarket parts available. I think it comes down to which do you like better.....chevy or ford? :flipoff2: Sorry bout your Jeep Holly, I hope it comes together quickly for ya :beer:

Yeah, what Keith said.

one thing to remember though is with engine placement. SBC distrib is at the rear of the block... if you go that route, make sure there is enough clearance for teh distributor when the engine is under load.

NV4500... hmmmmmmmm..... let's see.......... I think that sucka will bolt right up to just about any late model SBC :flipoff2:. One less expansive adaptor or conversion bellhousing to buy and more room for longer driveline. Those reasons alone would be enough to push me to the chebby side. :smokin:

Originally posted by Keith Strong
I am gonna go 302. But my only reasoning is I already have a t18 to bolt to it easily

Keith,
My T18 loves being bolted to my 5.7L vortec... :flipoff2: :beer: :smokin:

Originally posted by Mo
Yeah, what Keith said.

one thing to remember though is with engine placement. SBC distrib is at the rear of the block... if you go that route, make sure there is enough clearance for teh distributor when the engine is under load.

Hey Mo :flipoff2: sup dood?

Gotta say, I'm really tired of Ford guys (not blaming you perse') using this "distributor location" as an excuse. It's hogwash. Of course it needs to be considered upon mounting, but I'm here to tell ya, there's TONS of room for a SBC in a YJ. I should know. :D :D :D

Yeah, but cant I use a stock bellhousing on a 302 with a T18? If so, like Jeff said, one less adapter.

Originally posted by RokHeep


Keith,
My T18 loves being bolted to my 5.7L vortec... :flipoff2: :beer: :smokin:

So does my 5.7 TBI :flipoff2: :D :beer: :smokin:

Originally posted by Keith Strong
Yeah, but cant I use a stock bellhousing on a 302 with a T18? If so, like Jeff said, one less adapter.

Yup. Best way to go for you. I had to buck up for the conversion bell from AA. I just could'nt bring myself to install a Ford motor. :flipoff2:

Not that there's anything wrong with that. :D

Or just drill and tap a Chevy bell for the Ford pattern. You can take a look at mine sometime. :beer: :smokin:

Originally posted by RokHeep
Or just drill and tap a Chevy bell for the Ford pattern. You can take a look at mine sometime. :beer: :smokin:

Definitely interested. I have a year before i have to smog again, so plan to hear from me ;) :smokin:

Originally posted by LOPPY


Hey Mo :flipoff2: sup dood?

Gotta say, I'm really tired of Ford guys (not blaming you perse') using this "distributor location" as an excuse. It's hogwash. Of course it needs to be considered upon mounting, but I'm here to tell ya, there's TONS of room for a SBC in a YJ. I should know. :D :D :D

I'm not a ford guy... AMC 360 baby! Just wanted to point out something that needs to be considered.

I'm a diehard Chevy guy with a Jeep fetish, but the Ford does have one more advantage over the Chevy, it's narrow. Not a huge concern in the "born to hold a Chevy 350" engine bay of a YJ, but it's worth mentioning. I'd tell you to run a jeep 2.5, but then, I'm not mentally stable either. Chevy tree fiddy all the way. Bolts up to the NV4500, only about a gazillion aftermarket part available, and you can build one for half the cost of any other engine out there. If you're going for coolness factor, Buick 455!

I vote 5.0L. Lighter, will have as much power (prob more than) as a TBI 350, easily fits into YJ, better EFI setup that is very tollerant of mods, very easy to wire up, and prob the only motor with as much (if not more) aftermarket support than a 350.

What about this on the 5.0: From Novak: Another problem with the Ford engine is the front sump oil pan found on all engines except those used in some 4x4s. Oil pan modification or the use of a 4x4 pan is required on most Jeep installations. Exhaust manifold changes add to the cost of the swap. Parts interchangeability is not nearly as good as on Chevy V8.

http://www.zandm.com/

My vote: 350.

But you really can't go wrong with either one. Both are good engines with pros and cons--weighing them out, it's about a horse a piece.

However, in light of YOUR particular application: you can get a cheap stock BH for your NV4500 that'll bolt right up to a 350. You have to pay the AA tax if you wanna bolt it to a 302.

I'd say that tips the scale in favor of the 350.

Jake

Well, you could snag a pan off an econoline van. They are mostly rearish, and I think that a "couple" of them used SBF. My 351W from an 86 E250 has one.

Cars use that front sump crap.

Originally posted by RSQJEEP
What about this on the 5.0: From Novak: Another problem with the Ford engine is the front sump oil pan found on all engines except those used in some 4x4s. Oil pan modification or the use of a 4x4 pan is required on most Jeep installations. Exhaust manifold changes add to the cost of the swap. Parts interchangeability is not nearly as good as on Chevy V8.

I agree with everyone else, you really can't go wrong with either. I do think the 5.0 Ford (I assume you're talking about the Mustang 5.0) will be easier to find and probably cheaper than the TPI 350. LT1 350s will be even more expensive. Mustang 5.0s have a dual sump pan with most of the sump in the back. I haven't ever tried it, but I would think it would work just fine. If you get an '87-'92 Mustang 5.0, it will have forged pistons and a roller cam. I don't think the TPI 350 has that. Finally, it's a little lighter. So there you go, my vote is for the Ford.

when i started looking for a motor last year at this time i was looking for either ford or chevy. i had been running a ford 351w and np435 but i was having problems with the motor and i was wanting to try a auto tranny so either ford or chevy would have worked. i went with the chevy because i found a wrecked 99 1ton dually that only had 15k miles on it. they have not put a 302 in a ford for a number of years now so finding a motor with that low of miles on it might be hard. they also had a 94 lt1 i could have gotten froma z28 camero but it had 88K on it. i went i with the vortec sinply for low miles. i got the whole truck minus the rearend, one door, seat, and radio for $1800. i sold the 4L80E and kept things like the hydo boost set up so all in all i came out well and this motor runs great and has plenty of power. i think you really can't go wrong with either.

chevy get better gas milage:flipoff2: