[mitchf350]

Ok so I have been thinking about trading my yamaha vstar for a donor car to do a engine swap. What would be the perfect vehicle for the swap ie engine trans tc and ecu. Excluding a wrangler 4.0 My bike is worth about 2700 to 3000 bucks I would never find a 97 or newer wrangler for that.

[TheBoogieman]

Read below.4.3 Chevy vortec.

[Jeepster83]

Originally Posted by Theboogieman

Read below.4.3 Chevy vortec.

very good choice. the vortec 4.3 isnt a Jeep engine but its a very reliable engine. i had over 450,000 on my blazer when i sold it. i wish i still had it. it ran great and got better mileage than my Jeep.

the 4.3L S-10 Blazers that had an automatic had a 700R4 tranny and an NP231C t-case. the engine isnt nearly as long as the 4.0 so you could put it a little further forward and keep a longer drive shaft for the rear. you wont get the low end that the 4.0 has but itll have a better top end.

[472cid]

mustang 5.0 ax15 from a 4.0 and there you go

[PBR]

anything with a mopar engine is the easiest swap. eaither a 5.2L or 5.9L mag or a hemi.The link below is everything needed to swap in eaither the 5.2L or 5.9L

http://http://backwoodsoffroad.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?cat=4

[Unlimited04]

Originally Posted by PBR

anything with a mopar engine is the easiest swap. eaither a 5.2L or 5.9L mag or a hemi.The link below is everything needed to swap in eaither the 5.2L or 5.9L

http://http://backwoodsoffroad.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?cat=4

x2 on the 5.9L. they're torque monsters. 450ft-lbs easy on pump gas if you know what you're doing - www.krcperformance.com

a 5.9L will drink fuel likes its going out of style and you'll need axle swaps to hold the power, but the engine swap itself is pretty easy, dare I say it looks stock.

[sourskittle]

Best donor car ? That's VERY VERY easy.

99' and under 5.0L 4x4 ford explorer. You get....
The best 5.0L H.o ever built ( the GT-40 headed and GT-40 intake ). Think its 245HP 305 TQ.
You get a four speed overdrive tranny.
You get a "push button" 4x4 ( advantages and disadvantages )
You get an 8.8 rear axle with disk brakes, 31 spline axles, LSD.
You get a very strong driveshaft that will fit in the jeep ( I'm pretty sure, at least the 2-door exploder version ).

And then you still get to scrap the metal truck.

My buddy almost bought one with 127K miles for $1600, and he could have driven it home. He's looking for the explorer to swap everything into his 1980 toyoda. He's swap is a bit more challenging though, since his pumkins are on the wrong side for the ford X-case. The jeep will work fine though..

Or a 4.8L v8 silverado, but that's another price range.

[muskyslayr]

Grand Cherokee with a 5.2 or 5.9... I'm in the process of getting this together for my swap. Do a search for 5.2 or 5.9 swap, they're identical blocks so one write-up works for the other. From what I've found it's a pretty easy swap, most of the wiring is plug-n-play... Check your input shaft on your transfer case, if you've got a 23 spline, you're golden...

[mitchf350]

Well this is pretty intresting. I just may look in to it. My only worries in doing the swap is the whole electrical aspect with the ecu. Tools and fabrication is the easy part in my eyes. I've done many motor swaps in camaros and novas. But that was carbrated motors.

[Jeepster83]

personally id never run anything from a ford. The 5.2/5.9 swap would really be the easiest so finding a GC with either engine would really be the best way to go. If you really want a 302 thatll outrun 90% of everything out there dont get anything ford - look for a chevy 302. If you can find one that is. They were only in '67 Z28 RS Camaro's. No other 302 would ever be able to do anything close to the performance of this engine. Thats a very in-depth swap though. Best bet would be the 5.2/5.9 swap.

[mitchf350]

Originally Posted by 472cid

mustang 5.0 ax15 from a 4.0 and there you go

The 5.0 swap may be more for me. I am a big ford guy. Plus fox body mustangs are a dime a dozen. With many aftermarket parts available.

[Dmcastino]

Look at 472cid's thread about his swap if you like the 5.0 idea, it has TONS of info on it, he has guided a couple people through their install on his thread.

[BlazinJack]

the Small block Chevy (350) and the Ford 302 and later SOCH modular motors are the most aftermarket friendly motors today. your almost garunteed to find motor mounts, adapters, and misc. performance parts for them on every website.
Here in Colorado (as well as several other states) you are required to swap in a motor from the same year or newer engine into the recieving vehicle. (in your case 1997 or newer) and have all factory emmisions equipment installed and functioning (air pumps, EGR valve and tubing, vacuum system, PCV valve, charcoal canister and related systems, ect...) your best bet for your budget is to find a wrecked vehicle to swap from.
so, that being said:
97- now Chevy, GMC, pickup or SUV
97- now Ford Mustang
97- now Chevy Corvette
97- 02(?) Chevy Camaro/ Pontiac Firebird (trans am WS6)
97- now Ford Explorer or F-150 with 4.6 or 5.0 (not sure how swapable the 5.4 is... but look into it!)
Dont discount Chrysler vehcles. GC with 5.2 or 5.9 or even the newer 4.7 puts out nice power!
or...
find a liberty Diesel and then you have the ultimate TJ!!!

[472cid]

let em know and i can guide you thru the wiring it is easy too

[LJameson]

You could try to find a total XJ or TJ for that price.