engine swap advice

[Dittrich31]

so just for starters this is an extremely overzealous post because this is at least 3 years away from happening, anyways I have a 95 rio grand 2.5l 5 speed manual. I have been looking into doing an engine swap possibly for a chevy 305 or a ford 351. My question is what exactly are the steps i need to take and parts I will need (which trans would be best, axels, exc)
I have tried to research other peoples swaps but they wernt much help outside of the put in a new engine and transmission. Please send along some advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HiHood]

These guys were essential when I did a 350 swap to a YJ, and the other guys as well.

Novak Jeep Conversions - Home


also these guys . . .


AdvanceAdapters.com | Engine & Transmission Conversion Adapters - Advance Adapters

 

[Keith__C]

I definatley would not waste your time with a 305. That motor is a piece of junk. The 4.3 V6 puts out better than the 305 does. A 307 wouldn't be too bad although 350's are plentiful and in Vortec trim will put down some decent power. Between the 2 I would personally go with the Ford 351 over the Chevy. YJ's tend to be extremely Ford friendly when it comes to conversions. The 351W to be on the lookout for is a mid year 1993-1997 block as these are full roller motors. depending on upgrades you can throw down serious power with some simple upgrades. Also another easy route would be a 302 from a Mustang preferably an Explorer. If you are going to stick with EFI then a 302 would definatley be easier to swap. Explorer 302's make as much power as a Vortec 350 they are skinnier so fitting your exhaust setup into the bay is cake distributor is upfront so you dont have to deal with firewall clearance issues. Ford V8's are longer and some will say this creates a problem however the Chevy V8's forward mounting required to clear the firewall puts the front of the 2 motors identical so waterpump/fan to radiator clearance issues are identical. Accesories won't be too hard Chevy uses the same steering pump as the Jeep however Ford also uses that same steering pump in the E-series Van and the brackets are easily available or you can use the standard Ford type steering pump. Alternator should be nothing less than either a Ford G3 (130 amp) or the Ford large case 100 amp alternator--THIS is the one to really get. You ask why would I want a 100 amp over a 130 amp--Simple the Large case Ford puts out 80 Amps at idle speeds there is NO other alternator on the market that will do this without spending some serious $$$$$ which makes it perfect for slow speed crawling running a winch heavy loads whatever you want to throw at it. It can be found on all E-series with ambulance packages as well as 80's/early 90's F-series with 460/diesel ORR any late 80's Taurus. The Taurus is your friend as you will also want to rob the radiator colling fan assembly to elminate the fan clutch or solid shaft motor driven fan--The cooling fan on Taurus's move more CFM than any other electric fan on the market OEM or aftermarket, They are cheap plentiful and fit damn near perfect on everything. Make sure you are running the Ford large case as the Taurus fan will draw 35 amps when it kicks in (Thats why Taurus's get an Ambulance alternator) anyways send me a PM and I can walk you through a whole lot more.