Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Oddball on April 08, 2009, 08:48:20 PM

Title: V8's anyone?
Post by: Oddball on April 08, 2009, 08:48:20 PM
Have been randomly thinking for the past couple of days (don't combine this with tools, disaster will result). I have to confess to being absolutely bonkers on old school V8s. Ford 302s, 351 clevelands, 426 hemis. It goes on and on.

Anyhoo, my random thoughts wobbled along the lines of hammering a V8 into an XJ cherokee. Along with much manly grunting, sweating, swearing and breaking things of course.  :-D

What do you guys reckon? I think the engine bay looks big enough to take it, wasn't sure if the 8 transmission would be too long. Although saying that, if it'll take a straight 6 and tranny, it should take an 8. Stick a 3 n'alf rover in there? Or maybe go with the crysler roots and stick a 383 or 440 in. Imagine the torque you could get from one of those monsters.
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: tim_aka_tim on April 08, 2009, 09:12:27 PM
The most popular conversion is a small block Chevy.

Read this page http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/xj_swap.htm (http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/xj_swap.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 08, 2009, 09:27:23 PM
AMC 360 out of a rotted out FSJ.

Usually outlive their original home, therefore relativly plentiful and cheap.

And will bolt right up to an AX15 just on nuts and bolts.

Dunno about clearance issues in an XJ though.
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: Bulldog67 on April 08, 2009, 09:38:41 PM
Quote from: "ferretjuggler"
AMC 360 out of a rotted out FSJ.

Just make sure its proper rotted, not pillagin and scrappin a good un please
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: Oddball on April 08, 2009, 09:41:19 PM
Doesn't look that complicated to be honest. I'm considering myself lucky since mine has a 5 speed manual. I'm pretty sure it's the AX15, not the older peuguot bucket.
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 08, 2009, 09:48:12 PM
BD wrote:
Quote
Just make sure its proper rotted, not pillagin and scrappin a good un please

Plenty o' scrappers about to go at.

There's them two four doors in Cornwall wot never got sold for a start.

Probably cut up in a scrapyard by now.

I dunno what years the AX15 was fitted to the XJ, early diesels were AX5, these wont fit (or handle) a V8
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: tim_aka_tim on April 08, 2009, 09:51:26 PM
2.1TD XJs have the old Peugeot box. The VM 2.5TD got the AX-5. Totally unsuitable even for itself, nevermind a V8.
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: Oddball on April 08, 2009, 10:04:09 PM
Mine's a '98. 2.5 TD.

Mind you, if I was going to put a sbc in, i'd take the gearbox out anyways. I want a Muncie M-22, for that sexy shallow mesh whine.
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: Mike Pavelin on April 08, 2009, 10:11:15 PM
Quote from: "tim_aka_tim"
2.1TD XJs have the old Peugeot box. The VM 2.5TD got the AX-5. Totally unsuitable even for itself, nevermind a V8.

The TD has the AX15. Only the 2.5 petrol had the AX5. No UK spec XJ has a Peugeot 'box.
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: Bubba on April 08, 2009, 10:21:21 PM
a uk v8 xj would terestin
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: tim_aka_tim on April 08, 2009, 10:26:10 PM
Quote from: "Mike Pavelin"
Quote from: "tim_aka_tim"
2.1TD XJs have the old Peugeot box. The VM 2.5TD got the AX-5. Totally unsuitable even for itself, nevermind a V8.

The TD has the AX15. Only the 2.5 petrol had the AX5. No UK spec XJ has a Peugeot 'box.

That'll teach me for believing wikipedia.
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: wildwood on April 09, 2009, 12:20:24 AM
JP mag covered a SBC implant into XJ  (who else)???
Seems only way to go is chev onto 700R4 to Dana 300 or NP231
Tight fit specially near the steering box. Can be done without stupidly high lift as well.

Another site that does it try google Klune Underdrive.... High Impact is name of company... can't find link but they do it as well as Novak and AA etc.
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: JamesH on April 09, 2009, 09:44:36 AM
Advance adaptors make engine mounts for putting a Small Block Chevy (SBC) into an XJ. The swap requires custom block hugger headers and the only semi-write-up I've seen is the below thread from NAXJA where the guy had to cut the rails of the uni-body 'chassis' for clearance.

http://http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=981834&highlight=700r4

You may also find you get extra problems from your being RHD and again from it being a diesel. Getting any help from the Yanks, these two points may cause trouble as they really cannot grasp the concept  :roll:

See this SBC swap thread also:

http://http://www.alaska4x4network.com/showthread.php?t=36178

The V8 swap I would like to do is a Lexus / Toyota 1UZ-FE 4.0 all aluminium unit as found in LS400s that can be bought on ebay for under £1k at the moment. The engine will bolt up to the AW4 autobox if you take the bellhousing and torque converter from the Lexus. You'd need all the wiring and control unit from the Lexus too. The AW4 gearbox has an independent control box and just needs some sensor feeds like throttle position from the engine.
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: PtP on April 09, 2009, 10:37:41 AM
If you want help and advice on what computer/sensor bits etc to use on different engine swaps, then have a word with Dave at http://www.thinkmini.co.uk (http://www.thinkmini.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) From my conversations with him, what he doesn’t know about engine management systems isn’t worth knowing. Whilst he now specialises in Minis, he has worked vehicle electronics for many years.

If I recall correctly, the aim is to use the stock vehicle computer systems where possible and use the transplanted engine and gearbox sensors and adjust/fool the stock computers to recognise the inputs from the new sensors.
Title: Re: V8's anyone?
Post by: ferretjuggler on April 09, 2009, 01:04:53 PM
JamesH wrote:
Quote
You may also find you get extra problems from your being RHD and again from it being a diesel. Getting any help from the Yanks, these two points may cause trouble as they really cannot grasp the concept

Yeah I get that problem with my forays into IFSJA land.

The yanks just can't grasp the concept that UK scrapyards actually AREN'T stacked full of old Chevys, Dodges, Wagoneers and CJs like theirs are.