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Engine Swap Time / Cost

908 views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  mike_breaker_5 
#1 ·
I realize yall cant give me an exact estimate, but I'm hoping someone can chime in on the time it took them to complete an engine swap as well as the total cost.

I'm planning on selling my car to buy a yj with a good 4.0 soon, driving it until the summer and then ripping the engine out and dropping in a 350. The car will be a dd and used for some work on our ranch. Engine will likely be carbureted to ease the swap, but may go injected if I can figure out the electronics. I'll also have my brother in law helping me out most days. Thanks guys
 
#3 ·
engine
headers
exhaust
trans
x-case
motor mounts
skid plate/skid plate modification


that would be the core of your swap. fill in the blanks for how much these items go for in your area and you have a good idea as to what it will cost to get a v-8 running and moving your rig.

as for it being a working vehicle that will be used for utility...
you will also be wanting to upgrade the axles to at least something as strong as a D44. the D35 will last for a little while but it will give up the ghost in time if you are pulling, towing, winching, hauling, or whatever work you will throw at it.

as for injection... i have said it before and i'll say it again. if i were to do it again i would have used a bowtie v8 and slapped one of summit racing's efi stand alone systems on top of it and be done with it. that eliminates all the hassle and by the end you will have spent nearly the same amount of money getting your stock gauges and such working with a pieced together efi system. they have throttle body systems that are like $1200 all the way up to mpfi systems for around $3k.

the price will depend on your skill with a torch, multimeter, and a set of wrenches. i am a wiring moron so i had someone else do mine. if you are handy with 12v wiring and obd systems, wiring in a stock efi system may not be all that difficult. same as sourcing a motor and the rest of the driveline. i would guess that just getting the 5.2 purring b/n my frame rails ran me in the neighborhood of $2500 not including the labor cost of the guys that i had re-wire my engine. the D60s going under were about another $3k. that includes the purchase price of both axles as well as a complete rebuild and regear of both to include a disk swap for the rear.
 
#5 ·
engine
headers
exhaust
trans
x-case
motor mounts
skid plate/skid plate modification

that would be the core of your swap. fill in the blanks for how much these items go for in your area and you have a good idea as to what it will cost to get a v-8 running and moving your rig.

as for it being a working vehicle that will be used for utility...
you will also be wanting to upgrade the axles to at least something as strong as a D44. the D35 will last for a little while but it will give up the ghost in time if you are pulling, towing, winching, hauling, or whatever work you will throw at it.

as for injection... i have said it before and i'll say it again. if i were to do it again i would have used a bowtie v8 and slapped one of summit racing's efi stand alone systems on top of it and be done with it. that eliminates all the hassle and by the end you will have spent nearly the same amount of money getting your stock gauges and such working with a pieced together efi system. they have throttle body systems that are like $1200 all the way up to mpfi systems for around $3k.

the price will depend on your skill with a torch, multimeter, and a set of wrenches. i am a wiring moron so i had someone else do mine. if you are handy with 12v wiring and obd systems, wiring in a stock efi system may not be all that difficult. same as sourcing a motor and the rest of the driveline. i would guess that just getting the 5.2 purring b/n my frame rails ran me in the neighborhood of $2500 not including the labor cost of the guys that i had re-wire my engine. the D60s going under were about another $3k. that includes the purchase price of both axles as well as a complete rebuild and regear of both to include a disk swap for the rear.
Thanks for the info, I had given a look a doing the ez-efi kit since it seems pretty straightforward. I just realized that my father in law owns a shop and could probably have the wiring done in no time.

I wont be hauling or towing much, it's mostly just for getting around our property. No paved roads means I have to ditch my car and grab our tractor to get to the back of the lot.
The car will be running 35's, so the axle upgrade was already in store for me. Luckily, most of the jeeps i've seen for sale in my area already have the axles swapped out for 8.8s or d44.
 
#6 ·
Let someone else lose their ten grand cause that's what it will cost to do it right. Remember, your time has a value. Here is one with an LT1 and fuel injection, 12 bolt in rear Dana 44 in front, winch, 37" tires ect.

He is asking 6999 or best offer. Bet he takes six grand. Bet he looses his a$$ at six grand. V-8 Jeeps are a dime a dozen here and are in some cases cheaper than stockers.

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/rvs/4181327442.html
 
#8 ·
Just make sure to do your research and stay away from shortcuts. My initial plan for my 318 swap was going to be very limited on time but my girl brought it to my attention that I'm always b!+chin about people never having the time/money to do it right but finding then means to do it twice, do it right the first time. On topic though, it depends how in depth you're going, I am looking for a small beater truck to drive while my Heep is down so that I can do a tummy tuck, 8.8 rear, body lift and likely SOA all at the same time the engine swap is happening and be able to have her apart in the garage for a month or 3
 
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