I've been toying with the idea of an engine swap for my Wrangler. I am looking at possibly installing a 5.2L with my stock NV-3550. I thought I could just use a 3500 bellhousing, but now it seems that the 3500 bellhousing is part of the case. :mad: Was the AX-15 ever available with a 5.2L? I believe I can use an AX-15 bellhousing on my 3550 so long as it has the correct bolt pattern for a 318. Anyone ever heard of an AX-15 in a Dodge?
Thanks,
Randall

Ok, looks like the AX-15 was available in some trucks with the L4 or V6 engines. Now the next question is do those engines have the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the 5.2?

The v-6s have the same bolt pattern as the 318, the 4 cylinder does not.

You're the first person I've ever heard consider swapping IN an AX-15. I think it was Sam Kinnison who did a stand-up routine that included the line "I would rather pound my balls flat with a rubber mallet..." I doubt that it would hold up well behind a 5.2 and would recommend something heavier.

if you put an ax15 behind a v8, find a good tow company and tell them everytime you leave the house,

OK, I can't read very well sometimes. I see you meant just the bellhousing, to adapt your 3550 to the 5.2 engine. That transmission isn't suitable either; it's only rated for 300 lb/ft torque (http://www.newventuregear.com/transmissions.html) and my mild old 318 should do ca. 350 lb/ft. Many of the older, bone-stock 318's were rated over 300 lb/ft from the factory, and the new 4.7 (Durango version) puts 250 bhp and 345 lb/ft to the wheels. If you want a NVG transmission for a 5.2 Magnum you'll need a 4500 at minimum. You could probably expect the 3550 to live behind the V6 magnum in stock form; but not much more than that.

Yeah, I was thinking of just swapping an entire 5.2L/NV-3500 combo from a truck, but if I can just get the bellhousing from a 6-banger and bolt it to my tranny I have basically the same thing only hopefully a lot cheaper. I think the tranny that comes behind the truck is pretty much the same as my 3550 except for the integrated bellhousing. It's also rated at 300 lb/ft. I'm still unsure as to how well it will hold up, but seems like the Jeep will be less harsh than a loaded truck pulling a trailer. :confused:

Originally posted by txs
The v-6s have the same bolt pattern as the 318, the 4 cylinder does not. Thanks txs, that is what I was hoping to hear.