5.2 V8 Swap!

will228 · 02-05-2008, 08:14 PM

Im finally doing what ive wanted to do for a while. My 4.0 has to be rebuilt so i deside to make a jump. Next week im Picking up a 5.2 V8 engine all the way back to the Tcase including computer and harness out of a 98 ZJ im Psyced for this and i know it may take some time but its a dream come true. The Engine has 90k on it and the tranny and Tcase have ONLY 10k on them! The guy is basically giving them to me (Very cheap) becasue he thinks its an awsome idea and wants to see "the magic" happen. When i start the swap ill set up some kind of write-up.

**dragginwagon406** · 02-05-2008, 08:28 PM

Subscribing. I may do this swap eventually as well. Definitely post details.

Bill_Dunnigan · 02-05-2008, 08:30 PM

i saw these on craigslist around nh, i thought about this too, but then i looked at my bank acount and changed my mind

will228 · 02-06-2008, 05:54 PM

news, i just ordered the engine mounts from advanced adapters and found out that the Tcase is an NP249J so that is going to go and i will be using a 23 spline NP231 w/4:1 teralow off of the 4 speed tranny. Im not sure witch transmission it is but i was told the 231 would bolt right up. The radiator will be ordered next week. And i hope to actually have my original motor out by the end of feb. We will see with my work and school schedule if that will be possible.

will228 · 02-08-2008, 02:47 PM

The engine is now ready to come out! Im going to start throwing pics up when i start the installation next weekend. It should be fun. Im doing this in 30 degree weather. With snow. In my driveway. Thats dedication if i ever saw it. Yeah im from NH and im crazy...

lynn · 02-08-2008, 03:00 PM

You should be able to sell off the 249 to some ZJers...

Subscribed and looking forward to following your project...

will228 · 02-11-2008, 09:05 PM

Engine is getting here on friday. And thankfully a friend is letting me borrow his engine hoist. The rental place was going to charge 35.00 a day! NO WAY was i doing that. I also found out that the pinout and connector for this ZJs computer is the same as my TJs so i wont have to cut my dash/fuse box harness.

ToyTJ · 02-11-2008, 11:19 PM

The 5.2, from what I've learned, is arguably the ideal motor to swap into the TJ. The computers talk, the gauges listen, the emission system is the same, you can use the factory auto shifter, etc. You'll need a new radiator, throttle cable, motor mounts, electric fan (not mandatory, but preferable), and the tranny mount will have to be fabricated.

BackwoodsOffroad.com has all the parts necessary for the swap, and can mate the engine harness with the body harness.

The ZJ 5.2 is the same as used in Dodge Dakota, Ram 1500, and Durango, so those make good donors, as well. The 5.9 works, too. I plan the same swap as soon as the right wreck comes available.

rxl · 02-11-2008, 11:25 PM

Y not go with a 242 tc. You may have to swap out the output shaft on the 231 for the one out of the 249. Check the WJ/ZJ section, there's some good info on swaps. The spline cut changed somewhere in 94 mid year. They fit, but make alot of noise, and of course premature wear

randonlee25 · 02-11-2008, 11:27 PM

5.2 huh? What kinda power you gonna be pulling with that motor?

will228 · 02-12-2008, 12:05 AM

The engine is out of a 98 ZJ. I was told the input spline count is 23 and the my 231 would work with it. Ive already ordered most of the parts i need like mounts and whatnot. They should be here around the end of the week. Stock the engine puts out 220hp and 300 torque. I really like it for the torque number. Im going to be running a flowmaster 40 w/ 2.5" pipe and the original owner says he has aftermarket headers installed which he said is a 20hp increase. I think im going to look into that electric fan too.

**BYuen** · 02-12-2008, 12:11 AM

Subscribing

Btw just for knowledge isn't the 5.9 rated at around 245 hp?

will228 · 02-12-2008, 12:18 AM

yep it is. I would have done a 5.9 but the 5.2 was a lucky catch w/ tranny and an extra tcase. Couldn't pass it up. I now have a few friends who want to help me out with it so im thinking it should be running by the end of the month. Depending on the weather and school work...

**BYuen** · 02-12-2008, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will228

...Depending on the weather and school work...

I hear ya... lol
That 5.2 is going to be sweet. Maybe it will get a little better mpg than a 5.9. For a while I drove an 02 Ram 1500 with a 5.9. Got crap mileage... barely 11. Thing was a beast of an engine though. Lots of torque and sounded great.

lynn · 02-12-2008, 06:42 AM

Re: the 5.2....
I have a '97 ZJ with 5.2 and the 249 case. It's been a good engine, has 120K on it now. Only work it ever needed was the intake plenum gasket (thay all needed that) and occasional cleaning of the IAC sensor.

It will pick up that ZJ and move it pretty fast, so it should be hot in a TJ. It's averaged 16.5 mpg over its life with normal/conservative driving.

Keep us posted on your progress!