New owner of a 2.8L in a 85 Cherokee

[BigNorm]

I was wondering what some good cheap upgrades for this would be. I've read a bunch already but I'm always open to new ideas. My combo in my Cherokee is 2.8L/T5/NP207/D30/D35. The thing is a dog although it doesn't leak as much as I've heard these motors are prone to do. I've heard that the rear main seal and the distributor seals are common culprits. I'd like to do the switch to TBI. Is there any problems with trying to accomplish this? Any help/links are greatly appreciated. I'm already gearing up to do the 3.4 swap in the future but I think I'll drive the 2.8 around for awhile first. Thanx. NORM

[sharkey]

RE: New owner of a 2.8L in a 85 Cherokee

if you do an efi swap, go right to a multiport injection. you can use everything from a camaro 2.8l (lower, middle, upper plenum, throttle body, injectors, ecm, wiring, ect) and it will all bolt right in. im not 100% on your distributor, and if its electronicly controlled by an ecm or if its vaccume/mechanicl advance. if its vacume advance, then you will need a distributor from an efi motor.

now if your going to get a complete camaro 3.4l, id wait till you swap that in. the injection on it is a bit different (way more efficient) and is a better route to go for that motor. you cant swap the 3.4l injection onto a 2.8l, the 3.4l uses a crank position sensor for ignition, and your 2.8l doesnt have one.

[geoffinbc]

Agreed the SFI system from the Camaro is a nice way to go. If you do the 3.4L swap and use a donarmaro engine then you will be pretty well set.

A move to TBI is a bit more simple which is nice.

[Froggx]

Swapping to TBI is more simple, is it not? Then he could use the TBI setup with bigger injectors on the 3.4 and everything works out... I think. Of course, the SFI on the camaro 3.4 is nicer in the long run as has been said. Isn't the fageol supercharger setup floating around this site only good for the TBI and carbed setups though? That is if he wanted to go that route.

[geoffinbc]

Yes the Fageol is only for TBI/Carb. However this sounds like a mainly street/mild offroad rig. I think shooting for simple n/a torque would be the best goal.

A 3.4L with a short duration high lift cam will make for a good workhorse.

SFI is more efficient than the TBI. Yes TBI is more simple. Choose what you like either one would be good. But if you can find a single Donormaro then you have everything you are looking for in one spot.

[TurboZ24]

The earlier Lumina APV Van's (like 91') use a TBI iron head 3.1 also.

[fierofanatic88]

You have to watch those 85's I had one and they are the Mutt of Mutt's.They have a GM engine Ford front axle and well its been a while since I had mine but I rebuilt my 2.8 that was in it and afterwards the viscous coupler that was in the transfer case died on me after the rebuild.

[pepsi_coke]

Yes, Jeep was still being built by AMC, and AMC used parts from everyone.