Engine Swap

[B.Jones]

I have an 87 wrangler yj 5 spd. and I am looking to swap out the engine for more horsepower. I was looking to put a 305 automatic from a camaro in it. If I did would i have to get a different transmission since the camaro is 2 wheel drive? Besides the engine and transmission what else would i need to complete the swap? Would i have to change the gears? About how much would it cost(labor and parts) excluding the engine and transmission?

 

[olyeller]

which transmission do you have? you could probably find a transfer case to mate to it.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

You'll need a 4wd transmission and transfer case that will bolt to the 305, this ensures they will handle the power and will save $$ on adapters.

You'll likely want to change the axles out for something heavier than the D30 and D35 to handle the extra power.

 

[B.Jones]

the transmission i have is no good the reverse is messed up and it needs to be rebuilt.

 

[B.Jones]

what would be the best bet on finding a transmission and a transfer case for a 305?

 

[jeepin916]

you can go get a trans and t-case out of a scrap yard anything from a chevy truck will fit the 305, but since your going to do all that i would get a 350, there stronger and have more power as for the axles you will deffinatly need something stronger i would go dana 44 wiht something like 4.10 gears depending on your tire size.

 

[B.Jones]

the only problem is i dont have the money for the axles right now. I have a friend who is willing to put the engine in for cheap. would a 318 require an axle change?

 

[allabs5150]

jeepin916 is correct i am in the prosess of doing the same thiung to my 87yj.
i have a 700r4 transmission and a transfer case out of a 94 gmc 1500 4x4. I am still debating on which engine set up to go with i have 2 choices I have a early 90's 5.7 tuned port injection engine & and a 327 that would need to be rebuilt i would prefer the 5.7 tpi but i am not sure how involved leaving the fuel injection is going to be if i find it is going to be costly to run the tpi set up i will more than likley rebuild the 327 back to stock

as far as the axels go i am going to run my stock set up till i have a problem. i have a buddy with an 87yj 350 700r4 set up for a few years and plows snow with it has has not had any axel issues

 

[B.Jones]

I guess thats what i will do. I will try to run it until it has problems and then i will change the axel and gear ratio. I would like to have fuel injection but i have heard it causes a mess when you swap the engine, due to the fact of the gauges and other stuff. I drive mine daily so everything would need to be hooked up right.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I ran the stock axles in my '88 YJ after swapping in a 350. I never had any problems except the occasional blown rear driveshaft. You never know.

 

[Snitty]

i'd say to save the 327 for a car... they can be better than the 350 in racing applications

 

[west747]

if you plan on using any of the power made by a sb350 swap out your axles!!otherwise you wont be able to enjoy your rig as much and will always be scared of the " what if" something breaks..i have blown up 2 rear ends in the woods in my rig and i only have a 258 :roll: and it is no fun..

 

[firemanharry]

I'm sure that these people will be able to answer any questions that anyone has about motor/drivetrain swaps and fuel injection. :wink:

http://www.howell-efi.com/

http://www.advanceadapters.com/

http://www.novak-adapt.com/

 

[allabs5150]

What axels would you reccomend replacing the stock ones with. Is there an aftermarket axel that could slid rtight into my factory rears

 

[west747]

Dana 35C heavy 27 spline axle shafts

you could use a superior kit ( has beefier axle shafts) in the dana 35..however it is expensive. and as the famous saying goes.."it would be just like polishing a turd to add anything to the dana 35" i would recommend an 8.8 rearend out of an explorer if you want to keep the front end and the stock axle width. i went the full size axle route. dana 44 up front and the tougher than nails 9inch out back!

 

[B.Jones]

if i got a 350 and automatic transmission out of a chevy 4x4 pickup would it be a problem to put the shifter in the floor since it was in the column on the chevy?

 

[firemanharry]

you can get a floor shifter for your transmission :wink:

 

[B.Jones]

Front Axle Swap

i found a complete 350 with transmission and transfer case for $2,000. is that a good deal or could i find better? About how long will it take to put it all in? How much would a painless wiring kit cost?

 

[west747]

what type of trans and t-case?

 

[B.Jones]

its a 700r4 transmission. will i need a new rear drive shaft?