[Godchsr]

My block has 213K on it and runs pretty well BUT I am contemplating spending the winter doing a garage build.

Looking for 200 4whp at minimum.

Any real thoughts as to why a swap to a SBC would be a bad idea? It appears that the swap would definitely be more costly.

If anyone has experience give me some insight please.

[Root Moose]

Since your Jeep is EFI I'd say stick with the 4.0.

Engine swaps are always more money than you expect. Price it out and double it. That's if you want it to work and don't want to have issues like overheating, breaking downstream parts, etc., etc.

I'm not a purist by any stretch, I just think that the EFI 4.0s were pretty decent engines and worth keeping. The carbed 4.2 on the other hand are not my thing. I'm going to swap a SBC into mine (mainly because I have a fresh one lying around).

[QuantumYJ]

I am a "purist" I guess.

Fun article about the 4.0 http://www.allpar.com/mopar/40.html

[Jkanly]

There's more to a 350 swap than just replacing the motor. Unless you plan on upgrading the rear axle, I'd stick with the 4.0. The dana 35 won't last with a 350, and most likely the universal joints won't either.

[Jeepsr4me19]

Why do you need a certain amount of HP? I can build you a 4 banger with that power easy. Also where do you want this power to come on at? 2500rpm or 5000rpm? If you a sand runner you will need it up high, and same goes for trail riding you want it in the lower rpm. I personnel dont care for a motor that is overly heavy. Some of the newer V8 engines with composite intakes and aluminum heads or better yet complete aluminum blocks, would be what I want. I have built race cars for more that 14 years and I always go for the lightest stuff I can fine that will do the job reliability.

[Douglas S.]

Originally Posted by Jeepsr4me19

Why do you need a certain amount of HP? I can build you a 4 banger with that power easy. Also where do you want this power to come on at? 2500rpm or 5000rpm? If you a sand runner you will need it up high, and same goes for trail riding you want it in the lower rpm. I personnel dont care for a motor that is overly heavy. Some of the newer V8 engines with composite intakes and aluminum heads or better yet complete aluminum blocks, would be what I want. I have built race cars for more that 14 years and I always go for the lightest stuff I can fine that will do the job reliability.

an older buick or rover v8 would work well too, I've seen pictures of a TJ with an all-aluminum 5.0 rover v8 in it.

just be careful though, and get it sleeved well, because they tend to like to crack blocks (just happened to my Dad with his 5.0 land rover)