360 vs. 350 Fuel Injected- Pros and cons

[RSQJEEP]

I'm still not sure which engine to put in the Jeep. Everyone seems to have their favorites. I had a 4.0 L that was built by Clifford that put out impressive #'s for the 4.0.

However, since the fire, I want to rebuild bigger and better. I want to run the NV4500 and an Atlas 2 with my dana 44 and 60 (4.56's).

I really wanted to keep it Jeep and stay with the 5.9 360, but I haven't seen too many parts available for the swap (wiring harness, engine mounts, etc).

On the other hand, there is a ton of stuff on the Chevy 350's.

So, how do the 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).

Engine has to be fuel injected.

Since the fire, I have no engine parts or any wires, so the harness will have to be complete.

If you can recommend a reliable place to get the engine from as well, I'd really appreciate the suggestions.

[Sundowner]

dollar for dollar, you can build 2 350's for the cost of one 360.
if you're using an NV4500, you can also use a stock GM bellhousing instead of an adapter.

[madmarx]

Or if you ran the Chrysler/Jeep 5.9 from a Grand Cherokee, you can run the factory bellhousing for a Dodge NV4500. No adapters. It WILL be cheaper running a Chevy motor, just because of parts availablity. If I was going to run a Chevy motor, I would seriously look at the Ramjet 350. This to me looks like the best way to go with Fuel Injection already included. Get the MORE motormounts and run a couple wires to the motor and your off to the races...

[bigdude]

5.9L

It's a good motor that is amazing off-road when you demand power. We have one in our competition TJ. PM me and I can put you in touch with the owner who did the swap himself. He has it all figured out and could do it easily now (or pass on the knowledge).

[bigdude]

He also has a good 5.9L FI with low miles that a friend is looking to un-load.

[bigdude]

RSQ I just PM'd you all the info. Just give them a call, ask for Buddy, and he'll take care of you.

[syko]

Anyone know what auto transmissions they use behind the tpi 5.9 in a newer Grand Cherokee?

[madmarx]

I don't remember what the new tranny's are called, but they use the standard Dodge pattern, so you can use a regular old 727 with them.

[Travis Waldher]

5.9L, the 360 is what you could call a true truck engine. Right out of the box, plenty of low end grunt. I would say more so than a stock 350, (comparing two stock engines side by side)

The 350 is cheap, no arguments there. But, personally I feel the 360 is better, just 2-3x as expensive.

[Sundowner]

5.9L It's a good motor that is amazing off-road when you demand power. We have one in our competition TJ. PM me and I can put you in touch with the owner who did the swap himself. He has it all figured out and could do it easily now (or pass on the knowledge).

Bigdude, you're like a drug pusher, but with Chrysler parts instead of Cocaine

[Jakesteramalamajama]

For a TJ the 5.9 would probably be the better choice for no other reason than the fact that the computer operates on the same bus architecture that the 4.0 computer does so you're gauges can be made to work with a lot less fuss.

I still think the 350 is a better engine though...

Jake

[Jakesteramalamajama]

Originally posted by Sundowner


Bigdude, you're like a drug pusher, but with Chrysler parts instead of Cocaine

No he's like Ricardo Montalban pushing that RICH CORINTHIAN LEATHER!

[Oxjockey]

Talk to Pete in Delaware from R & S Customz or whatever, he put a 318 in his YJ or TJ...

Bryan

[bigdude]

Originally posted by Jakesteramalamajama


No he's like Ricardo Montaliban

You calling me a member of the Taliban

[Jakesteramalamajama]

Originally posted by bigdude


You calling me a member of the Taliban

I think Osama pushes that Rich Corinthian Vinyl...

[IndyCJ]

Hmmm, I've got a 360 out of a 74 Cherokee waiting for a buildup.

I know, I know, back to work........

[TEX]

Originally posted by twaldher
5.9L, the 360 is what you could call a true truck engine. Right out of the box, plenty of low end grunt. I would say more so than a stock 350, (comparing two stock engines side by side)

My dad had a TBI 350 & switched to a MPI 5.9 when he traded trucks - I bought the old one. His opinion was that the 5.9 NEVER towed as well as the 350. I only towed with the 5.9 a couple of times & I thought it was a tossup. I HAVE driven his truck empty a number of times & w/o a load, the 350 runs rings around the "Magnum 5.9", but I'm sure part of that has to do with the lower 1st gear (similar axle ratios).

Having said all that, if it were me it would all boil down to price & ease of installation. I don't think the performance "difference" is enough to warrant one over the other. Just my $.02.

TEX

[jeeplvr]

dollar for dollar, you can build 2 350's for the cost of one 360.

Have you ever built an AMC 360, he was talking about an AMC 360 (read the post, "keep it jeep".
It was the same price as a 350. All machine work, crank exchange, head exchange, and parts were exactly the same as the 350.
The AMC 360 was actually cheaper than my AMC 304 to buld, because of parts prices, so the problem of which one to build was a no brainer.

[Sundowner]

Have you ever built an AMC 360, he was talking about an AMC 360 (read the post, "keep it jeep".
It was the same price as a 350. All machine work, crank exchange, head exchange, and parts were exactly the same as the 350.
The AMC 360 was actually cheaper than my AMC 304 to buld, because of parts prices, so the problem of which one to build was a no brainer.

dude, somebody's been ripping you off on Chevy parts, then
the rebuild kits are more expensive that 350's by far, and of couse the machine work cost the same. a machinist doesn't care what brand a block is, he's still gotta bore 8 holes in it.

when you "Build" an amc, as in look for performance parts, the hurting starts.

[madmarx]

Originally posted by jeeplvr

Have you ever built an AMC 360, he was talking about an AMC 360 (read the post, "keep it jeep".
It was the same price as a 350. All machine work, crank exchange, head exchange, and parts were exactly the same as the 350.
The AMC 360 was actually cheaper than my AMC 304 to buld, because of parts prices, so the problem of which one to build was a no brainer.

Jeeplvr, I think you need to read it again. He said FUEL INJECTED. No AMC 360 was EVER fuel injected from the factory. The 5.9 we are talking about came in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as the Dodge trucks, so by definition it is a Jeep engine. BTW, I love my AMC 360, and it is aftermarket fuel injected.

[bigdude]

Hey RSQ

Any word on that 5.9L donor TJ you were talking with Buddy about yesterday????

Good Luck!!!

[Go2Guy]

The 350 is more "bolt in" due to motor mts, harnesses, block huggers etc. There may be extra costs involved with adapters etc.

I swapped a 5.2 mag in my CJ7 three years ago- no regrets. Around here the chrysler stuff is cheaper cause everyone wants a chevy. I had to fab the motormount and tweaked the factory harness. A 300 will fit right on the back or a 231 if you need to drop on the driver's side. The 300 does need to be spaced a bit- good job for a clocking ring.

Most of the Jeeps use a 44RE which is based on the 904 and has better DS clearance on the drivers side. The trucks use the 727 based 46RE which is stouter but more worrk with the DS.

All these engines are multiport which I like vs throttle body, they also come with a gear drive starter wich is a nice plus. Good luck!

[RSQJEEP]

Well, Big Dude, thanks for the contact. After talking with him and Advanced Adaptors, I feel that installing the 5.9 is out of my league. I can't fab motor mounts and wiring harnesses and AA doesn't sell them for the 5.9- yet - they tell me.

So, I am now looking into the chevy 350. I was kinda thinking about getting the engine from the firebird since my original Jeep was burned in a fire. ha ha ha. I've gotta find some reason to install the 350!

I am also looking into Buddy's Jeep. It is bad! I'm thinking about it because it took my 7 years to build mine and some punks burnt it in one hour so I don't want take another 7 years to build another beast. Their shop does real nice work, too!

So, any are there any fuel injected (no throttle body) Chevy 350's I should look for or avoid? Any good salvage yards to hit up on the east coast?

I shouldn't rebuild my 4.0L right?? Never know what fire can do to an engine!

Thanks for all of your ideas.

[Jakesteramalamajama]

Well (Depending on how much you wanna spend, of course), might I humbly suggest you look into the Ramjet 350?

[Travis Waldher]

Originally posted by RSQJEEP
Well, Big Dude, thanks for the contact. After talking with him and Advanced Adaptors, I feel that installing the 5.9 is out of my league. I can't fab motor mounts and wiring harnesses and AA doesn't sell them for the 5.9- yet - they tell me.

So, I am now looking into the chevy 350. I was kinda thinking about getting the engine from the firebird since my original Jeep was burned in a fire. ha ha ha. I've gotta find some reason to install the 350!

I am also looking into Buddy's Jeep. It is bad! I'm thinking about it because it took my 7 years to build mine and some punks burnt it in one hour so I don't want take another 7 years to build another beast. Their shop does real nice work, too!

So, any are there any fuel injected (no throttle body) Chevy 350's I should look for or avoid? Any good salvage yards to hit up on the east coast?

I shouldn't rebuild my 4.0L right?? Never know what fire can do to an engine!

Thanks for all of your ideas.

you wanna sell a 4.0L cheap? he he he