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Howdy, I've been pointed in your direction by a North America XJ Association forum member. I'm reposting my post from there, cause it goes pretty much in topic with what I would like advice about here.
Since this IS a 60 degree V6 forum, I am interested in hearing about options 2 and 4. I am leaning towards the crate engine, because that should be bolt on and the only thing that I will have to replace is the fuel pump. Any thoughts?
Hey guys, I've been lurking for a while now, decided to start posting in the last couple of days. I'd like some advice for an XJ I recently bought.
I have an '86 XJ that I got for $600. I've been doing my research and now know that the '86 isn't the best option to start building with, but there is no rust and the interior is like new. I've had to replace the radiator right off the bat ($120 new). There was a wobble to the engine and replacing the non-balanced flywheel with a balanced one fixed ($100 rebuilt) that. I also installed the posi-lock to engage 4x4, ($170). Total investment (little over $1,000). The engine can be heard on youtube:
The engine hesitates, and has stalled on me once while I was accelerating. My fellow club members and father believe that my engine has thrown a rod. My research on the GM 2.8 V6 pretty much tells me to yank my engine and not worry about this one. I’ve been doing a lot of research and basically have five options as I see it.
1)Sell the Jeep. I don’t have much invested; I don’t want to push this engine on someone else. Everything on it looks great, so I want to keep it.
2)Swap out the 2.8 for a used 4.3 S-10 or a 3.4 from a 93-95 Camaro or Firebird. I’ve already looked in junkyards for engines and the engines are expensive for what you might get (high mileage, may need to be rebuilt) and there would have to be custom work with the engine mounts. I would also have to replace my entire drive train with the 4.3 (the 3.4 will bolt right in).
3)Swap it out with the LS1 V8. I would also have to change out the drive train, but I’m not sure if my Dad’s skills are up for it (shade tree mechanic). He worked on carb’s and he wants nothing to do with fuel injection. I know nothing about engines, so I’m at his mercy. I also think this would cost more than I am willing to invest right now.
4)Swap it out with the GM 3.4 crate engine. This will bolt right in, and there shouldn’t be any other issues. I am leaning this way; I think the $1,800 spent on the engine now will save me much more down the road. (Not having to rebuild an older engine).
5)Fix the crappy engine I have now. I did get two additional 2.8’s with the Jeep. One has a broken crankshaft, and the other is broken down to the block. I probably could rebuild one engine with the three I have. I’m not thrilled with this option, because I will never be happy with the power.
I’ve done a lot of research, both here and one the novak site, now I would like to hear any advice that anyone may have. If someone had installed that crate engine, were you happy with the power it gave? Was the V8 swap worth the headache?
Thanks for any input
Darren
P.S. if you watched my XJ sick engine video, look for the XJ in flight one, you won’t regret it. (Not mine, it was at the Back Yard Bash, two weeks ago.)
I have an '86 XJ that I got for $600. I've been doing my research and now know that the '86 isn't the best option to start building with, but there is no rust and the interior is like new. I've had to replace the radiator right off the bat ($120 new). There was a wobble to the engine and replacing the non-balanced flywheel with a balanced one fixed ($100 rebuilt) that. I also installed the posi-lock to engage 4x4, ($170). Total investment (little over $1,000). The engine can be heard on youtube:
The engine hesitates, and has stalled on me once while I was accelerating. My fellow club members and father believe that my engine has thrown a rod. My research on the GM 2.8 V6 pretty much tells me to yank my engine and not worry about this one. I’ve been doing a lot of research and basically have five options as I see it.
1)Sell the Jeep. I don’t have much invested; I don’t want to push this engine on someone else. Everything on it looks great, so I want to keep it.
2)Swap out the 2.8 for a used 4.3 S-10 or a 3.4 from a 93-95 Camaro or Firebird. I’ve already looked in junkyards for engines and the engines are expensive for what you might get (high mileage, may need to be rebuilt) and there would have to be custom work with the engine mounts. I would also have to replace my entire drive train with the 4.3 (the 3.4 will bolt right in).
3)Swap it out with the LS1 V8. I would also have to change out the drive train, but I’m not sure if my Dad’s skills are up for it (shade tree mechanic). He worked on carb’s and he wants nothing to do with fuel injection. I know nothing about engines, so I’m at his mercy. I also think this would cost more than I am willing to invest right now.
4)Swap it out with the GM 3.4 crate engine. This will bolt right in, and there shouldn’t be any other issues. I am leaning this way; I think the $1,800 spent on the engine now will save me much more down the road. (Not having to rebuild an older engine).
5)Fix the crappy engine I have now. I did get two additional 2.8’s with the Jeep. One has a broken crankshaft, and the other is broken down to the block. I probably could rebuild one engine with the three I have. I’m not thrilled with this option, because I will never be happy with the power.
I’ve done a lot of research, both here and one the novak site, now I would like to hear any advice that anyone may have. If someone had installed that crate engine, were you happy with the power it gave? Was the V8 swap worth the headache?
Thanks for any input
Darren
P.S. if you watched my XJ sick engine video, look for the XJ in flight one, you won’t regret it. (Not mine, it was at the Back Yard Bash, two weeks ago.)
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